Poppers such as alkyl nitrites, isobutyl nitrite, and isopropyl nitrite have long been used within the gay community and inhalants were widely associated with the gay nightclub scene throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
The sudden drop in blood pressure that these inhalants can cause may leave users feeling temporarily light-headed and even euphoric, while the loosening of smooth muscles throughout the body can make engaging in sexual activity more comfortable. Some experts believe that popper use among gay men contributed to the AIDS crisis, although this has never been confirmed.
Substances like these continue to be widely used among LGBTQ people who use drugs, although it’s wrong to categorize poppers as “gay drugs.” A recent survey found “the use of poppers to be 25 times more common among gay than straight men;” however, the stigma associating popper use with gay culture may mean that heterosexual men may be reluctant to disclose their popper use.