Poppers is a slang term given broadly to the chemical class called alkyl nitrites, that are inhaled for recreational drug purposes, typically for the “high” or “rush” that the drug can create. Their primary recreational uses are as club drugs at raves and discos, where the drug enhances users’ experience of dancing to loud dance music with a throbbing bass line while lights flash to the beat. Poppers are also used for sexual encounters, particularly in the LGBT community
Popper use is particularly common among gay and bisexual men and transgender people across the world due to their relaxation effect on involuntary smooth muscles (such as those in the throat and anus), the warmth and “head rush” they provide to users, and their widespread social use. Legal restrictions on the sale, possession, and use of poppers often cite safety concerns.