Poppers, Pleasure & Protection
Poppers, Pleasure & Protection: What Bi+ Black Men Need to Know
TL;DR
Poppers (alkyl nitrites) are used by some queer and bi+ men to ease anal sex and intensify sensation—but they come with real health risks. We’re not here to promote poppers, but if you are going to use them, let’s talk safety, stigma, and how to protect your body and your choices.
The Problem
Let’s keep it real—poppers are part of the sex conversation in a lot of queer circles, but for bi+ Black men? That convo is usually hush-hush or surrounded by judgment. Some of us don’t talk about them at all because we’re afraid it makes us look reckless, or because there’s this stereotype that we’re not supposed to explore that kind of pleasure. And on the flip side, others use them without really knowing what they are, what they do, or how they can mess with your health.
The silence around substances like poppers creates real problems: disinformation, risky combos (especially with meds like Viagra), and shame around how we experience anal pleasure. And in a world where bi+ Black men already get erased, judged, or oversexualized, that silence cuts deep.
The Psychology
There’s a reason a lot of us don’t feel safe talking about what happens in the bedroom. Many bi+ Black men grow up being taught to avoid anything that seems “too gay,” “too submissive,” or “too freaky”—especially when it comes to anal sex. That internalized fear comes from a mix of toxic masculinity, religious trauma, and centuries of racialized control over Black sexuality (Collins, 2005; Johnson, 2001).
When we’re dealing with multiple forms of oppression—being Black, being queer, being masculine but also vulnerable—our relationship with pleasure can get complicated. Minority stress theory shows that folks with marginalized identities often carry mental health burdens from hiding or policing their sexuality (Meyer, 2003). That’s why some people reach for poppers—to relax, to feel less anxious, or to numb pain (literally and emotionally). It doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human.
But relying on poppers to access pleasure can turn into a crutch—and that’s where harm can creep in.
The Facts
Let’s be clear: Poppers are not safe or recommended. They come with health risks and are not approved by the FDA for human consumption. That said, people do use them, so here’s what you need to know if you’re in that number.
What are poppers?
Poppers = alkyl nitrites, a group of chemicals (like amyl nitrite and isobutyl nitrite) that cause your blood vessels to widen and relax smooth muscles.
When inhaled, poppers cause a quick head rush, body warmth, and lowered inhibitions. For some people, they make receptive anal sex feel easier by relaxing the anal muscles.
The risks:
Blood pressure can crash, especially if combined with ED drugs like Viagra or Cialis. This combo can literally kill you (Hager, 2020).
Some users report nausea, dizziness, fainting, and a condition called “popper burn”—chemical irritation of the skin or nose.
Long-term use can lead to “popper maculopathy,” a vision disorder (Davies et al., 2018).
Though they aren’t chemically addictive, some people find themselves dependent on poppers to enjoy or even engage in sex.
Interactions to watch:
PrEP and Doxy-PEP: No known chemical interaction, but always tell your provider what you’re using.
Mental health meds: Combining poppers with antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds can mess with your nervous system.
Oxygen: Some alkyl nitrites can reduce how well your blood carries oxygen, which is dangerous if you already have breathing or heart issues.
Legal status:
Technically legal to buy, but not for human consumption. That’s why they’re sold as “leather cleaner” or “room odorizer.”
The Advice
Let’s keep it honest: We do not encourage the use of poppers. They’re risky, unregulated, and can mess with your body in ways that aren’t always obvious at first. But we also know folks are using them, and the last thing we want is for you to be in the dark. If you’re going to experiment, do it with care, not shame.
Here’s how to protect yourself:
Know your source. Avoid sketchy bottles, repackaged poppers, or anything with unknown ingredients. Do not use if the liquid touches your skin.
Never mix with ED meds. The combo can drop your blood pressure dangerously low and cause heart failure.
Start slow and listen to your body. Lightheadedness, blurry vision, or shortness of breath? Stop immediately.
Don’t use poppers as a fix for fear or tension. If sex feels painful, rushed, or disconnected, the solution isn’t a chemical—it’s communication, lube, time, and trust.
Talk to a queer-competent doctor. You deserve a provider who respects your sexual health without judgment.
And if you feel like you have to use poppers every time you bottom or hook up, that’s a sign to pause and check in with your mental, emotional, and physical needs. You deserve pleasure that doesn’t depend on a bottle.
Join the Conversation
What’s your experience with poppers—or the silence around them—in bi+ Black communities? Let’s open up the space for honesty, safety, and pleasure without stigma.
Listen to Bi+ Black Men: The Podcast on all major platforms or visit [bisexualblackmen.com/podcast]
References
Collins, P. H. (2005). Black sexual politics: African Americans, gender, and the new racism. Routledge.
Davies, A., Ghosh, D., & Shankar, J. (2018). Poppers maculopathy: A case series and review. BMJ Open Ophthalmology, 3(1), e000142.
Hager, C. (2020). The cardiovascular risks of alkyl nitrite use in sexual health. Journal of LGBTQ Health, 5(2), 112–119.
Johnson, E. P. (2001). “Quare” studies, or (almost) everything I know about queer studies I learned from my grandmother. Text and Performance Quarterly, 21(1), 1–25.
Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129(5), 674–697.
