Episode 489: How Poppers Changed Sex

Episode 489: How Poppers Changed Sex

From Sex and Psychology Podcast by Dr. Justin Lehmiller

April 3, 2026 · 26 min · Episode 489

About this episode

This episode discusses the history and impact of poppers on sexual experiences and their association with queer nightlife.

Humans have always looked for ways to enhance sex, but some of the most popular tools weren’t even meant for that purpose at all. One drug, originally developed for heart conditions, made its way into nightlife and became closely tied to sex. In today’s episode, we’re talking all about poppers, including how they work, how they became linked to pleasure, and why they’re still so controversial. I am joined once again by Adam Zmith, a writer and multi-format producer. His books include Deep Sniff: A History of Poppers and Queer Futures, as well as Solemates: A History of Our Fetish for Feet. Some of the specific topics we explore include: What exactly are poppers? Why do people use them to enhance sex? How did they become embedded in queer nightlife? What myths have fueled stigma around them? Are there any risks in using them? Check out Adam’s website to learn more about his work. Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology. *** Thank you to our sponsors! If you’re looking to gain a broad understanding of human sexuality or refresh your knowledge, check out the upcoming Human Sexuality…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Justin Lehmiller

Guest: Adam Zmith

Topics covered

  • poppers
  • sexual enhancement
  • queer nightlife
  • drug history
  • controversy

Keywords

  • poppers
  • sexual enhancement
  • queer culture
  • drug risks
  • myths about poppers

Sponsors

Kinsey Institute

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