Is Trump Banning Poppers? A Troubling Look at Drug Use in the Gay Community

You might have heard that President Donald Trump is “coming for your poppers.” Apparently, the FDA is investigating one of the manufacturers of a popular poppers brand, leading the company to halt production. Uh-oh. Even if this is true, it’s not something we should be upset about. What we should be concerned about is how rampant and normalized drug use has become in our community—where sniffing nail polish remover is seen as a perfectly common thing to do before sex, and this kind of drug use doesn’t raise any concern among most gay men. The truth is, addiction and substance use disorders are widespread in the gay community. That’s where our focus should be. Let me explain why.

What are Poppers?

Poppers are a very popular drug among gay men because, when inhaled, they cause both muscle relaxation and temporary euphoria. This makes sex feel better. While that’s great and all, let’s not kid ourselves: poppers are a drug. They are highly toxic. Poppers are technically made of a chemical used in nail polish remover. But this product is sold in many sex shops for the explicit use as a sexual aid. Inhalants like alkyl nitrites cause dramatic drops in blood pressure, which can lead to fainting, stroke, and even death. There’s been such an increase in poppers use that the FDA issued a warning about them just last June.

Glamorizing Drug Use

It’s fine to let loose and have fun once in a while, but let’s be clear: drugs are dangerous. Sure, some are more dangerous than others due to their addictive properties and risk of overdose. But using drugs is risky. It may be a calculated risk, but it is a risk nonetheless.

Unfortunately, drug use has become increasingly normalized and even glamorized in gay culture. Rather than using party drugs once a year at Burning Man or some rave, many gay men use drugs on a weekly basis—or even multiple times a week. Studies show that gay men use almost every exogenous substance at a higher rate than straight men. While many of these men are not chemically addicted to these substances, we need to stop fooling ourselves into thinking that drug use in moderation is somehow “healthy.” It’s not. Full stop.

Chem-Sex Among Gay Men

Many gay men rely on drugs for sex (a phenomenon known as “chem-sex”). They need poppers, GHB, ketamine, and even meth to enjoy sex. Others don’t really know why they use drugs so habitually, other than the fact that their friends do. Therein lies the problem. The more we normalize drug use, the easier it becomes to become a habitual user. Cultures create norms that we, in turn, tend to adopt.

No Healthy Drug Use

Let’s debunk the myth that drug use is in any way “healthy.” The truth is, drug addiction rates are very high in the gay community—with a particularly troubling epidemic of crystal meth use among gay men. Stark statistics show that gay men are up to 12 times more likely than straight men to use amphetamines. Luckily, younger generations seem to be changing course. New studies show that Generation Z consumes alcohol dramatically less than prior generations.

Setting an Example

We’re not looking to vilify or demonize those struggling with substance use or addiction. On the contrary, we want to encourage them to get help and de-stigmatize mental health and addiction treatment. But more importantly, we want to set a healthy precedent for younger folks. How? By discouraging them from using substances. We should be setting a good example for them—not encouraging them to engage in the same destructive behavior that we did.

Trump vs. Poppers

There’s nothing wrong with letting loose every now and then. But every time you use an illicit substance, you are taking a risk. Do poppers make anal sex more enjoyable? Many gay men would say so. But that doesn’t mean we should use them. Just because something feels good doesn’t mean it is good. Sex is supposed to be natural, healthy, and fun. Poppers aren’t natural. They’re made of a synthetic substance not intended for human consumption. But don’t worry. They’re likely not going anywhere. However, even if they were banned, that would be a good thing. Our focus should be on making our culture and communities healthier, not insisting that we have easy access to drugs. My message: gays, stop glamorizing drug use. Period.