They used to be real enhancers, but nowadays, they have maybe 10 percent of the old effect.
They're now constituted quite differently ... whether through much lower concentration of the dilation-causing chemicals, or different chemicals altogether, I don't know.
Highlights from Wikipedia:
Poppers is the
street term for various
alkyl nitrites taken for recreational purposes through direct
inhalation[1], particularly
amyl nitrite,
butyl nitrite,
isopropyl nitrite and
isobutyl nitrite.
[2][3] Amyl nitrite has a long history of safe medical use in treating
angina[1], as well as an
antidote to
cyanide poisoning.
[4][5] Amyl nitrite and several other alkyl nitrites which are used in over-the-counter products, such as
air fresheners and
video head cleaners, are often inhaled with the goal of enhancing sexual pleasure
Direct, concentrated inhalation of amyl nitrite and the other light alkyl nitrites leads to a non-specific relaxation of smooth muscle, resulting in coronary vasodilation and decreased systemic vascular resistance and left ventricular preload and afterload.
Additionally, the light alkyl nitrites cause the formation of
methemoglobin wherein, as an effective antidote to cyanide poisoning, the methemoglobin combines with the cyanide to form nontoxic cyanmethemoglobin.
[8] First responders typically carry a cyanide poison kit containing amyl nitrite, such as the popular Taylor Pharmaceutical Cyanide Antidote Kit.
Originally marketed as a prescription drug in 1937, amyl nitrite remained so until 1960, when the
Food and Drug Administration removed the prescription requirement due to its safety record. This requirement was reinstated in 1969
[1] after observation of an increase in recreational use.
Other alkyl nitrites were outlawed in the USA by Congress through the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. The law includes an exception for commercial purposes. The term commercial purpose is defined to mean any commercial purpose other than for the production of consumer products containing volatile alkyl nitrites meant for inhaling or otherwise introducing volatile alkyl nitrites into the human body for euphoric or physical effects.
[15] The law came into effect in 1990. Visits to retail outlets selling these products reveal that some manufacturers have since reformulated their products to abide by the regulations, through the use of the legal cyclohexyl nitrite as the primary ingredient in their products, which are sold as video head cleaner, polish remover or room odorants.
Amyl nitrite, manufactured by Burroughs Wellcome (now
GlaxoSmithKline) and
Eli Lilly and Company, was originally sold in small glass ampoules that were crushed to release their vapors, and received the name "poppers" as a result of the popping sound made by crushing the ampule.
Inhaling nitrites relaxes
smooth muscles throughout the body, including the
sphincter muscles of the
anus and the
vagina.
[5] Smooth muscle surrounds the body's blood vessels and when relaxed causes these vessels to dilate resulting in an immediate increase in
heart rate and blood flow throughout the body, producing a sensation of heat and excitement that usually lasts for a couple of minutes.
[18]
Alkyl nitrites are often used as a
club drug or to enhance a sexual experience.
[6] The
head rush,
euphoria, and other sensations that result from the increased heart rate are often felt to increase
sexual arousal and desire.
[6] At the same time, the relaxation of the sphincters of the anus and vagina can make penetration easier.
[19] It is widely reported that poppers can enhance and prolong orgasms.
[2]
While anecdotal evidence reveals that both men and women can find the experience of using poppers pleasurable, this experience is not universal;
[20] some men report that poppers can cause short-term erectile problems.