Poppers: Your Health... And AIDS

Can You Afford the Risk?

Poppers is the street name for a mixture of chemicals used as an inhalant to achieve a "high" during sex and frequently during social events like dancing. The more active ingredients, amyl and butyl nitrites, have been shown to damage the body's ability to stay healthy. Popper use can also lead to specific diseases. Sold under various brand names, poppers are labelled as "room deodorizers" and require less quality control than other drugs. No government agency tests or regulates poppers.

Although never without risk, use of poppers has come under increased public and medical scrutiny ever since the epidemic of AIDS developed in this country. From the beginning, some researchers suspected that the nitrite inhalants (poppers) played a role in causing AIDS. Now they and public health experts find that the use of poppers damages the body's immune system and, as a result, may increase an individual's risk for developing AIDS. Several research studies indicate that poppers may lead to the development of the cancer Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in people who have AIDS.

Why All the Concern About Poppers Now?

There have been studies for years that warned of the acute and chronic effects of inhaling poppers, like headaches and dizziness. Some deaths have been linked to poppers use. With the outbreak of AIDS epidemic, researchers have studied how poppers affected the immune system. Preliminary tests indicate that the inhalant nitrites weaken the body's immune system. Other AIDS experts think poppers may lead to the development of Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS), one of the diseases linked to AIDS.

But I Only Use Poppers Once A Week When I Go Dancing.

Infrequent "hits" of poppers is better than regular heavy use. But even minimal use may weaken your body's immune system. Until more is known, the poppers high is not worth the risk.

But I'm Not Gay; I'm Not Worried About AIDS.

AIDS strikes non-gay people too; everyone should take precautions. In addition, poppers can cause outside health precautions not related to AIDS.

But My Partner And I Have Better Sex When We Use Poppers.

Good sex contributes to good health. But using poppers makes it difficult to avoid those sex practices that place you at risk for exposure to AIDS. People are making lots of changes due to concern over AIDS. The first time you have sex without poppers may be different. You may need to take more time. More and more people report that after an adjustment, sex without poppers is still exciting and fun.

Give it a chance; keep it hot and healthy.

THE SCIENTIFIC PICTURE

Research shows that volatile nitrite inhalation damages the body's immune system by suppressing the activity of cells needed for protection against diseases. Specifically, nitrite inhalation has led to a depletion of the body's helper T-cells, agents necessary for a fully functioning immune system.

Experiments with both humans and animals have revealed that the nitrites may be significantly immunosuppressive themselves or, by conversion to nitrosamines, they may cause mutations or cancer. We do not know how much damage to the immune system occurs or whether tyhe damage is irrepairable.

Behavioral research has found that use of poppers interferes with judgement. As a result other sexual and drug-related activities that greatly increase the risk for AIDS may occur. The high incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a cancer associated with AIDS, among gay and bisexual men has led scientists to study whjether the nitrite inhalants are an important factor in the development of the disease. Preliminary studies indicate a relationship does exist between the use of poppers and incidence of KS in people with AIDS.

Many gay and bisexual men have used poppers as a muscle relaxant to permit anal intercourse. Nitrite inhalants also relax the blood vessels,a condition which some scientists believe may enhance the absorption of the AIDS viral agent. In addition, the poppers-induced high may lessen awareness of the severity of physical acts, and trauma to body organs may result.

Legal action in a few states and cities now prohibits or restricts the sale of nitrite inhalants. But poppers continue to be readily available. People need to take the initiative to protect their own health.

TAKE ACTION AND PROTECT YOUR HEALTH

The Best Stratedy Is To Stop Altogether

Reseaarch has found the use of poppers dangerous to the body's ability to fight disease and generally bad for your health. Don't take the risk. Stop using poppers altogether. Spread the word to your friends.

Enjoy Sober and Safe Sex

Go beyond the highs of drugs when you have sex or dance. You can get just as high or higher naturally as with drugs. Some people use relaxation and then deep rapid breathing to get high sexually. Others get off on intimacy with their partners. Experiment and find what works best for you.

Learn How To Refuse Poppers

Many people now refuse to use poppers, you're not alone when you say "No thanks." If your partner insists, take the bottle and then hand it back. Or accept it but don't sniff them. With regular partners, agree to get off on each other without poppers.

Help Is Available

Make a personal decision to stop using poppers and discuss it with a few friends and/or sex partners. Get help when you have difficulty following your decision to stop. Contact a drug treatment program, or sexual counseling center.

AVOID THE THREAT OF POPPERS!

GET HIGH ON YOUR HEALTH!

This brochure was prepared by the Substance Abuse and AIDS Task Force with the cooperation of the Committee to Monitor Poppers using funds provided by the UCSF AIDS Health Project and the S.F. Department of Public Health.

© 2005 LINQ Communications