Does poppers consumption destroy your eyes? French researchers warn against the gays' favourite sex drug, other experts plead for serenity
Sniffing poppers can go in the eye. At least that's what a team of doctors from France fears. The sex drug can damage the retina, the researchers write in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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The reason for the warning: the eye specialists had treated four people who could no longer see clearly after consuming poppers. The patients also complained of a bright spot in their field of vision. In fact, the experts were able to detect damage to the retina in all patients, precisely at the point that transmits high-resolution images to the brain ("visual pit"). One consequence of this was that the affected patients could only read with difficulty. Fortunately, the symptoms subsided in two of them after a few weeks.
The researchers then searched for and found further cases. Some of them had not been diagnosed by previously treating ophthalmologists because the retinal changes only affected a very small - albeit important - area.
How dangerous is poppers?
This raises the question: How dangerous is poppers? Is there really a risk of permanent eye damage? After all, the colourful mini bottles with beguiling names such as "Jungle Fever", "Hard Wave" or "Rush" are very popular with many gay men. The nitrites they contain have an intoxicating and sexually stimulating effect. Above all, however, they dilate the blood vessels and thus relax the smooth muscles - including the sphincter muscles. This makes anal intercourse easier.
However, poppers also have undesirable side effects such as cardiovascular problems and the death of brain cells. Germany tolerates the sale of poppers, although the ingredients are only available on prescription.
"Poppers are widely used," says Rainer Rybak from Check Up, the gay health agency in Cologne. "Many people have these bottles in their fridge."
Not clear
With regard to the warning call from France, Rybak advises calmness. "Only four individual cases are known so far. With many medical reports, the excitement only boils up until the next pig is driven through the village."
Rybak has been travelling in the gay scene for 15 years and provides information about sexual health. "I'm not personally aware of any cases where someone has suffered serious damage after using poppers." Only once at a sex party did a guest pass out after sniffing poppers. "But whether this was due to the poppers, the tight latex bodysuit or a lack of fluids after a night of dancing the night away - it's impossible to say for sure."
According to Rybak, physical problems such as a racing heart or unconsciousness are rarely caused by the drug alone. The first sign of an overdose with poppers is hard to ignore: a stabbing headache when sniffing. "It's such a turn-off that it usually prevents worse things from happening," says the party drug expert.
The French research team themselves point out that two of their patients had not only consumed nitrite shortly before losing their sight, but also "half a bottle of high-proof alcohol" in each case. Nevertheless, the researchers suspect a direct link with the drug.
However, this has not yet been proven: although poppers can activate an enzyme that is important for the photoreceptors of the eye, this has a completely different effect than in the four cases investigated, as the researchers also admit: The enzyme reduces sensitivity to light, but the patients complained of bright, blinding spots.
Interactions problematic
Armin Schafberger, medical officer at Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe, sees a particular danger in interactions: "Poppers are often combined with other drugs such as alcohol, which can lead to health problems much more quickly."
The combination of poppers and Viagra is even life-threatening: it can lead to a sharp drop in blood pressure and even fatal cardiovascular failure. Equally dangerous: taking medication for angina pectoris or high blood pressure at the same time.
In the end, the realisation remains: if you take poppers, you should be aware of the possible consequences - and proceed with a sense of proportion.
(Philip Eicker)
Important tips on poppers consumption
- Never combine poppers with sexual enhancers or nitrates (e.g. in antihypertensive medication): Danger to life!
- Avoid contact of poppers with mucous membranes and eyes: Risk of chemical burns! If the liquid does get into your nose or eyes: rinse immediately with water and seek medical attention!
More information about poppers on the website hiv-drogen.de (Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe)
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