Hello, you little night owls,
We’re often asked in our shops and DMs: “Why don’t you sell poppers?” Though this little bottle regularly makes an appearance at parties or by the bedside, it has no place on our shelves.
Let’s talk about it without taboos: what poppers contain, what they do to your body and why we at Passage du Désir prefer to give them a miss!
What exactly are poppers (and where did they come from)?
Before becoming a fixture on dance floors and in bedrooms, poppers had a very different life. In the 19th century, their active compounds (nitrites) were used in medicine to treat certain types of heart pain thanks to their blood-vessel-dilating effect.
Today, poppers come in a small glass bottle filled with a highly volatile liquid. You don’t drink a drop of it, of course: you inhale the vapours. The effects kick in within seconds and last just two to three minutes:
🔥 An instant rush of warmth and a little burst of euphoria
🧘 An all-over sense of release and relaxation of every muscle, particularly the anal sphincter
🪶 Heightened sensations of touch and a touch of disinhibition.
What’s in poppers?
The term “poppers” refers to a family of alkyl nitrites (pentyl, isopropyl or isobutyl). These highly volatile chemicals act like an accelerator on your cardiovascular system by rapidly dilating your blood vessels.
Are poppers a drug?
That’s THE big question. In France, according to MILDECA (the Interministerial Mission for Combating Drugs and Addictive Behaviours), poppers are not classified as narcotics and their sale is legal. Pharmacologically, though, they are very much a psychoactive substance.
Can you become dependent on poppers?
According to current medical evidence, poppers do not cause physical dependence or withdrawal symptoms when you stop. However, beware of psychological dependence: it’s easy to get used to their effects as a way to unwind, party or spice up sex.
Side effects and risks: what to bear in mind
Even though their use is widespread, inhaling nitrites is not harmless.
The immediate drawbacks of poppers, big and small
When your blood vessels suddenly dilate, your body reacts:
A pounding headache and dizziness (thanks to the sudden drop in blood pressure)
A bright red face and a hot flush
A racing heart (reflex tachycardia)
Some nasty skin burns if the liquid touches your skin or nose directly
The more serious risks
With repeated or high-dose use, the health consequences can be more troubling:
Vision problems (poppers maculopathy): according to theANSM (French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety), some nitrites (particularly isopropyl nitrite) can irreversibly damage cells in the retina. The result: reduced vision or a persistent blurred patch in the centre of your visual field.
Breathing problems (methaemoglobinaemia): the blood has more difficulty carrying oxygen, which can turn lips blue and cause shortness of breath sooner than usual.
Can you mix poppers with other substances?
Some combinations are best avoided altogether:
Poppers + alcohol: Both lower blood pressure. Combine them and you’ve got a winning ticket to fainting or losing consciousness in the middle of a party.
Poppers + erectile dysfunction medication: This is LIFE-THREATENING. Combining the two causes an extreme drop in blood pressure that can lead to a stroke or cardiac arrest.
Why does Passage du Désir say no to poppers?
At Passage du Désir, we believe one thing: pleasure should always be a joy, never a risk to your health.
Although they’re legal, we’ve made a conscious choice not to stock these little bottles for three simple reasons:
Safety and traceability come first: Poppers on the market have widely varying, sometimes questionable ingredients. We can’t guarantee the level of quality control we require for all our products.
Look after your heart (and your eyes): Our job is to find you gentle, tested, reliable gems with no medical contraindications.
Choose real relaxation: We’d rather help you learn to let go with healthy, lasting alternatives that carry no risk of chemical interactions.
Our feel-good alternatives for relaxing your body and heightening your senses?
Don’t worry: you don’t need a magic little bottle to spice up your nights and fully unwind!
To spark desire and spice up your intimate moments: Discover aphrodisiacs in the form of gels, drinks or treatments. Just the thing to awaken your libido, stimulate circulation and boost sexual energy with peace of mind.
For maximum anal comfort: Choose a liquid silicone-based lube or a thick gel. It’s the perfect ally for making tissues more supple, making penetration easier and keeping everything gliding smoothly.
- To let go and switch off: Try some warming massage oils or a scented candle. Nothing beats a firm massage to relax your muscles and turn up the heat naturally.
- To awaken the skin and heighten every sensation: Explore warming and cooling gels, feathers or sensory accessories. Plenty to make your partner shiver, without any side effects!
🩺Have a question or concern about your poppers use?
Passage du Désir is not a doctor. For free, anonymous support or official advice on reducing risks, you can visit the Drogues Info Service website or speak to a healthcare professional.
Take care of yourself, explore at your own pace and remember: the greatest aphrodisiac is feeling safe!
Lovely to meet you, I'm Violette Berger! 🎙️ I write about sexual and intimate wellbeing. What do I do day to day? Turn complex questions about relationships and sexuality into simple, fun and supportive advice. I can't wait to share what I've learnt and help you enjoy a fulfilling, curious intimate life!
