i put together a lil treat for you that should cover this topic from head to toe. enjoy.
a bit of basic chem
R & R' can = H, CH3, CH2CH3, etc (known as an alkyl group)
O= oxygen
N = nitrogen
H = hydrogen
The reaction of a nitrite with a secondary amine produces the nitrosamine
RONO + R'2NH -->
ROH + R'2NNO
nitrosamines are so reactive that when exposed to UV light, decomposition occurs. a similar enzyme catalysed reaction occurs in the body.
R2NNO + Light -->
RO* + NO
NO is nitric oxide (not to be confused with laughing gas; N2O or nitrous oxide). NO is an endogenous chemical which has many roles, but it suffices to say this reactive compound is involved in cellular communication and plays an important role in apoptosis (programmed cellular death).
the second compound RO*is an alkyl free radical. depending upon the alkyl group attached, these compounds may slightly to very toxic to cells.
what's actually in poppers
we talk of RUSH, BULLSEYE, POPPERS etc of being amyl nitrite. Amyl nitrite (isopentyl nitrite) was withdrawn from many countries' markets long ago following reports showing the carcinogenic potential of the compound. What replaced amyl was simply the next next best thing that was still legal.
when isopentyl/amyl was withdrawn from prescription in the US in 1968, the popper market at the time was a big industry. replacements were sought and as butyl nitrites were used extensively throughout the perfume industry as well as being employed for use in antifreeze, the choice was obvious.
....a little bit more Chem
the difference between amyl, butyl etc, is simply the number of carbons in the group. "iso" is the terminal branched isomer of the compound. "n" implies the carbons are linear in arrangement and not branched. "sec" says there are 2 branches off the 1 carbon. "tert" says 3 off the 1 carbon.
okay, what's all this got to poppers i hear you asking.
the butyl nitrites, all varieties listed above including butyl nitrate are produced in the manufacture of poppers through the action of nitrous acid on butyl alcohol. iso-butyl nitrate, also produced, is converted to nitrite in the body (also a toxic process)
so now you know the compounds, you may like to do a google search on any of them with the term nitrosamines.
also, if you use or intend to use nitrites, then you at least owe it to yourself to be well informed of the risks. these compounds are potentially very damaging. sodium nitrite is used as a preservative in bacon and other meats, but levels of nitrosamines are carefully monitored. vitamin c is added to prevent the formation of nitrosamines in smallgoods, but as the following reports show, it has little affect when taken as a pre-load to using nitrites.
one thing I'm quite certain of. If you read the following papers, you will definitely think twice before deciding poppers are a harmless drug.
Supplemental material:
Health Hazards of Nitrite Inhalants
EXPEDITED CANCER POTENCY VALUES AND NO SIGNIFICANT RISK LEVELS (NSRLs) FOR FOUR PROPOSITION 65 CARCINOGENS: ISOBUTYL NITRITE, NALIDIXIC ACID, o-PHENYLENEDIAMINE, o-PHENYLENEDIAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE
No Significant Risk Levels for Carcinogens and Maximum allowable dose levels for Chemicals Causing Reproductive Toxicity
And it is VERY DANGEROUS to use it if you're on Viagra
Amyl nitrates cause hypotension by their nature; that is why it is considered dangerous to mix with viagra, in case you were wondering.
...I believe my work is done here.
![:\](https://bluelight.org/xf/BL_Images/Orig_Emoji/wrygrin.gif "wry grin :\")
I have used them irregularly for over a year now, and can report no bad side effects except residual headaches after use; no memory loss, aneurysms, etc. My theory is that people who don't like it just take too much in too short a space of time, and then you're guaranteed some nasty side effects.
