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Nitrites

Published on January 8, 2026 at 3:00 / Updated on January 20, 2026 at 8:00
Common names Commonly known as "poppers", these products can also be referred to by their brand name:
  • Bolt, Jungle Juice, Lightning bolt, Locker room, Rush, Super Rush, etc.
Classification Vasodilator:
  • Refers to a substance that dilates blood vessels.
Mechanism of action
  • Causes blood vessels to dilate, leading to reduced blood pressure, dizziness, and muscle relaxation.
Routes of administration
  • Mainly through inhalation of vapors released from the liquid, either directly from the bottle or after it has been poured onto a cloth.

Effects sought out by the user

  • Arousal
  • Euphoria
  • Facilitates certain sexual practices
  • Heightened sexual pleasure / intense orgasm
  • Muscle relaxation

Common adverse effects

  • Agitation
  • Decreased perception of time
  • Dizziness
  • Feeling of intense warmth
  • Increased heart rate
  • Headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Ringing in the ears

Overdose effects

  • Death
  • Heart attack
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Methemoglobinemia (a condition that reduces blood oxygen levels)
  • Respiratory depression
  • Severe hypotension
  • Stroke

These products are particularly dangerous when used with medication for erectile dysfunction (e.g., Viagra).

Tolerance (need to increase the dose to feel the same effect)

Not well documented.

Addiction

Possible psychological dependence when used regularly. No physical dependence has been observed.

Withdrawal

Has not been observed.

Onset and duration of action
Routes of administrationOnset of actionDuration of action
InhalationAlmost instantaneousAbout 2 minutes

Intoxication management

  • An antidote is available: methylene blue. Administered in the presence of methemoglobinemia.
  • Symptomatic treatment.
Many different street drugs are sold under the same name. Furthermore, nothing guarantees the quantity, purity or even the content of a street drug in spite of the fact that it may, in some cases, look like medication.

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