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Exclusive interview with Cameron Schwartz, Poppers researcher and public health specialist

Canada banned Poppers in 2013, and the Canadian gay community has been fighting for more than 10 years to bring back the sexual aid that reduces pain and increases pleasure during penetrative sex. We had the opportunity to speak with someone who knows first-hand the impact of the Poppers ban in Canada. Cameron Schwartz is a researcher studying the consequences of regulatory policies related to Poppers. He lives and works in Vancouver, Canada.

Cameron, could you briefly introduce yourself to our Poppers community worldwide?

I am a public health specialist from Canada. Much of my work focuses on substance use, sexuality and mental health. I have also led a research-based, community-oriented program to advance scientific work around Poppers and evidence-based policy approaches.

Cameron, could you briefly introduce yourself to our Poppers community worldwide?

I am a public health specialist from Canada. Much of my work focuses on substance use, sexuality and mental health. I have also led a research-based, community-oriented program to advance scientific work around Poppers and evidence-based policy approaches.

What was the outcome of the crackdown on Poppers in Canada in the years after 2013?

In Canada, Poppers are considered a prescription drug, but are not approved for sale or distribution. In the past, it was possible to buy Poppers in sex stores – but this was in a legal gray area. In 2013, however, the government cracked down on the sale of Poppers, removing these products from stores completely and threatening sellers with fines and imprisonment.

An important factor when considering the impact of this policy is that people continue to use Poppers. In fact, data from the Community-Based Research Centre (a national queer and trans-led organization in Canada) suggests that the frequency of poppers use did not change significantly after the crackdown. Instead of buying poppers in stores, people started buying poppers from unregulated sources such as dealers or online stores. A study I published in 2020 confirmed that despite the crackdown, people continue to rely on Poppers to enhance their sex lives but have little confidence in the safety of the unregulated products they use. Evidence also suggests that more harmful chemicals (such as ethyl chloride) have replaced traditional poppers chemicals in some cases.

You talk about marginalizing the gay community by banning Poppers. Can you explain that?

One can look at marginalization and Poppers regulation on several levels. On the one hand, marginalization is a consequence of such policies: states that ban Poppers specifically criminalize substances associated with anal sex, indirectly reinforcing the idea that gay people do not belong in society.

On the other hand, marginalization is also a cause of such politics. With colleagues in Canada, I published a critical review of the research situation around Poppers. We found that, unlike other drugs used as sexual aids (erectile stimulants, vaginal estrogen, etc.), research on the use of poppers has been systematically influenced by homophobia, heteronormativity and stigma associated with inhalant drugs. While Poppers are often used therapeutically (for pain relief during anal sex), existing research mainly seeks to identify harms. As a result, we have a skewed understanding of the use of poppers, and it is more difficult for health regulators to accept poppers products than other drugs (such as erection-enhancing drugs).

What do you think of the recent claims that Poppers cause AIDS?

Poppers do not cause AIDS. The link between poppers and the occurrence of AIDS-defining diseases has attracted considerable attention from researchers, as poppers are most commonly used by gay men and most commonly used in sexualized environments. However, the idea that Poppers cause AIDS was proven false in the 1980s after the discovery of HIV. This recent review describes the epidemiology of Poppers use and HIV/AIDS well.

What do you think of the recent claims that Poppers cause AIDS?

Poppers do not cause AIDS. The link between poppers and the occurrence of AIDS-defining diseases has attracted considerable attention from researchers, as poppers are most commonly used by gay men and most commonly used in sexualized environments. However, the idea that Poppers cause AIDS was proven false in the 1980s after the discovery of HIV. This recent review describes the epidemiology of Poppers use and HIV/AIDS well.

How do you assess the different formulations in terms of health? (Pentylnitrite, Isopropylnitrite, Isobutylnitrite, Hexylnitrite, Amylnitrite)

More research is needed to truly understand the different safety profiles of each Poppers chemical. There are some trends between known harms and certain chemicals; however, all of these chemicals act through the same physiological pathway, making interpretation of these trends difficult without further evidence.

For example, preliminary research suggests that isopropyl nitrite may be associated with a rare form of eye damage called retinal maculopathy. However, this disease has also been triggered by other Poppers chemicals, and further work is needed to understand the physiological mechanism behind this disease. Some people also refer to isobutyl nitrite as a carcinogen. However, this data comes from animal studies and it is unclear to what extent we can extrapolate these findings to humans. I am not aware of any comparable studies on other Poppers chemicals (amyl nitrite, isopropyl nitrite, etc.), so we can say little about their respective risks in relation to cancer.

What advice do you have for governments and regulators around the world?

In general, I would urge regulators to clearly identify the intended goals that their policies are intended to achieve and develop a strategy to evaluate whether those goals are being met. Regulators often assume that banning substances will increase public safety or relieve them of liability, but when it comes to Poppers, I believe the opposite is true. Evidence suggests that banning Poppers may increase harm through lack of regulation and substitution of more harmful drugs.

It is also important to recognize the biases that have shaped the available research on Poppers and to carefully evaluate the values and assumptions we bring to this work. Comparing (and questioning) the legal status of Poppers in relation to other available drugs (erection-enhancing drugs, prescription narcotics, tobacco, etc.) can provide a useful basis for beginning this reflection.

What is your final advice for all Poppers users and enthusiasts worldwide?

Even if there are still many unanswered questions about Poppers: Certain formulations have been used since the 19th century – often without serious problems. My advice for people using Poppers would be to avoid isopropyl nitrite and listen to your body (If you feel dizzy, stop…. If you have significant side effects, stop…). Likewise, exercise caution and talk to a doctor before using Poppers if you have a heart condition or are taking medications like sildenafil (Viagra). Otherwise, I would encourage people to embrace their sexuality, resist shame and make the choices that feel right for them.

Cameron Schwartz, poppers researcher and public health specialist

Cameron Schwarz Bio

Cameron Schwartz is a researcher and public health professional with experience in Canada and the UK. His work spans the areas of research, quality improvement, medical education, and health promotion. Cameron holds a Master of Public Health degree from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia.