Poppers Resources
Poppers Guide by DoubleA
Poppers: When to Take a Break and What To Do If You’ve Had Too Much by Daniel GoOn (i_perfumado on Telegram)
and Further Reading

Poppers guide
by DoubleA
Poppers are a group of recreational drugs that, when inhaled, cause short-term euphoria. Some are more dangerous than others. Despite so many brands and names, there’s only a handful of compounds. After a quick lesson, you’ll know how to make the safest choice.
Beware! They’re illegal in many countries (like Canada, Australia and Japan) and banned for recreational use in others (tolerated sale as “room odorizers” in the U.S.), check out local regulations.
Poppers are “alkyl nitrites”. The “nitrite” part (—NO2) is common to all. The “alkyl” part is just a chain of carbon atoms: propyl is 3, butyl is 4, pentyl/amyl are 5 and hexyl is 6 atoms. “Iso” means the atoms are arranged differently.
If you look, every bottle lists ingredients and their reference “CAS number”. Now you know what you’re huffing!
Intro to compounds
The smaller the molecule, the faster its action in your body. This means stronger, faster effects but more possible side effects. Individual reactions vary, however. Here are some of most common compounds:
- Isopropyl: Most well-known and widely available. With only 3 carbon atoms, its effects are intense and fast; and the most side effects. Linked to cases of loss of vision (poppers maculopathy and retinal damage). Brands: Jungle Juice, Rush.
- Isobutyl: First widely available poppers. Users describe smooth sustained effects. Banned in the US, Europe and the UK. Isopropyl poppers were created to get over this regulation. Brands: Double Scorpio (all of them)
- Amyl/Pentyl: Amyl was the OG, medically used as angina treatment. Pentyl is similar. Strong but smooth effects, less side effects. Banned in the US. Where available, our recommended compounds. Brands: Amyl: AMYL, Iron Fist, Gold Rush. Pentyl: English Pentyl, Rush Brut, Iron Fist Black Label, Jungle Juice Platinum
Poppers:
When to Take a Break and What To Do If You’ve Had Too Much
by Daniel GoOn (@i_perfumado on Telegram)
When to take a break
High tolerance: If you notice you need to inhale more frequently or more deeply to feel the same effect, it’s a sign your body has developed tolerance. A one-month break will allow your system to reset so you can enjoy again with less quantity.
Developing dependency: Are you finding it difficult to reach orgasm without poppers? Is opening the bottle the first thing you think about before masturbating? These are indicators that you need to recondition your pleasure. A month without them will help you rediscover other sensations.
More mindful gooning: Practice sessions without poppers. When you reintroduce them, they’ll be pleasuring enhancers rather than basic requirements. Your brain will learn to value them as a special extra, not a necessity.
Reconditioning: After a break, the first time you use them again will be intense. Take advantage of this moment to create new positive associations with smaller amounts.
If You’ve Had Too Much: Signs and Solutions
Warning signs:
- Bluish tint on lips or nails
- Intense dizziness or weakness
- Difficulty maintaining balance
- Nausea or vomiting
- Severe headache
- Blurred or altered vision
What to do immediately:
- Stop using. Close the bottle and move it away.
- Sit or lie down with your legs elevated. DO NOT stand up quickly.
- Breathe fresh air. Open windows or step onto a balcony if possible.
- Drink water to hydrate.
- If symptoms persist for more than 10 minutes or worsen, seek medical attention.
An experienced friend told me: “After three months of almost daily use, I barely felt anything anymore. I took a six-week break, and when I tried again, a single inhale took me to places I had forgotten. Less quantity, better experience.”
Remember: the best trips are those you can repeat safely.
Recomendations
- Quality matters: Purchase poppers from reputable sources rather than unknown vendors. Lower quality products may contain impurities or inconsistent concentrations that increase health risks.
- Storage is crucial: Keep poppers in a cool, dark place with the cap tightly sealed. Exposure to heat, light, and air causes them to degrade, which not only reduces effectiveness but creates potentially more harmful compounds.
- Avoid mixing with erectile dysfunction medications: The combination of poppers with drugs like Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure that may be life-threatening.
- Position matters: If you’re using poppers during sexual activity, be cautious about positions where your head is below your heart (like bending over), as this can intensify blood pressure changes and increase dizziness.
- Respect medical contraindications: People with certain health conditions should avoid poppers entirely, including those with heart problems, glaucoma, anemia, recent head injuries, or who are pregnant.
- Use proper inhalation technique: Rather than deeply inhaling directly from the bottle, hover the open bottle near your nostril and take gentle, controlled breaths. This reduces the risk of excessive inhalation or liquid contact with skin or mucous membranes.
- Protect your skin and eyes: The liquid can cause chemical burns if it contacts skin or eyes. Wash immediately with water if contact occurs and seek medical attention for eye exposure.
- Create a safer physical environment: Before using, ensure you’re in a space where you won’t fall or injure yourself if you become dizzy or disoriented. Keep bottles away from flames as poppers are highly flammable.
- Take regular tolerance checks: Periodically use a smaller amount than usual to gauge if your tolerance has increased. This helps you recognize when a break might be beneficial before you become dependent.
- Listen to your body’s unique response: Individual reactions to poppers vary significantly. Pay attention to how your specific body responds and adjust use accordingly.
Harm reduction doesn’t mean risk elimination—it means making informed choices that minimize potential negative outcomes while recognizing that all substance use carries some risk.
Further reading
- Daniel Goon’s article “Playing Safe. Tough lessons from a popperbator” originally published on Issue 1. Talks about suffering an episode of popper blindness, factors and safer use recommendations.
- This California Law Review’s article on poppers legality. Quite an easy and interesting read. Goes deep into the history, popularization of poppers and its legal status in different countries.