Poppers, the FDA, & a crackdown decades in the making
Mar 21, 2025
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Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR's health policy correspondent, dives into the controversial topic of poppers, a popular party substance within the queer community. She discusses a recent claim of FDA raids on producers, sparking concerns about governmental overreach. The conversation examines the cultural significance of poppers and the misconceptions tied to their use, particularly around HIV/AIDS. With humor and critical insights, they address how regulatory actions affect LGBTQ+ identities and the importance of social connections amidst adversity.
The recent FDA actions against poppers highlight ongoing safety concerns and reflect the intersection of public health and queer identities, prompting debates about governmental influence on substance policy.
The cultural significance of poppers within LGBTQ+ spaces illustrates their evolution from a niche substance to a symbol of broader societal attitudes towards queer enjoyment and identity.
Deep dives
The Cultural Significance of Poppers
Poppers, a chemical compound often used as a party drug, have gained a notable place within queer culture. Poppers are associated with euphoric experiences at social gatherings, particularly in LGBTQ+ spaces, where they symbolize fun and a carefree lifestyle. This connection has even permeated mainstream pop culture as seen with artists like Charlie XCX and Troye Sivan, who have directly referenced them in their work. This highlights how poppers have transitioned from a niche substance to a broader cultural phenomenon, with implications for how society perceives queer identities and enjoyment.
FDA's Recent Crackdown on Poppers
The FDA's recent actions against the poppers producer Double Scorpio illustrate growing concerns about the substance's safety, especially as its misuse appears to be on the rise. While poppers have been popular for decades, reports of health risks associated with their recreational use have prompted warnings from health officials. The FDA's interest seems to stem from a mixture of consumer safety concerns and potential misuse that can lead to adverse health effects. This has raised questions about the agency's resource allocation and decision-making process, as enforcement actions can seem arbitrary and reactive rather than based on systematic health data.
Political Dimensions of Substance Regulation
The crackdown on poppers raises broader questions about the intersection of public health and political ideology, particularly in relation to queer communities. Notably, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial claims linking poppers to the AIDS crisis have sparked anxiety among health advocates about potential policy shifts under his leadership. The concern is that an increasing stigmatization of queer culture could emerge as public health narratives are influenced by political rhetoric. This situation underscores how targeting specific substances can also reflect broader societal attitudes and underscore the need for careful consideration of public health efforts regarding LGBTQ+ individuals.
Poppers, a party substance long popular with gay men, were thrust into the national spotlight last week when one producer, Double Scorpio, claimed that they halted operations due to a search and seizure by the FDA. There's been no official statement from the FDA saying this raid took place, but the suggestion of a raid — against producers of a substance disproportionately popular with the queer community — certainly raised some eyebrows.
Brittany is joined by Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR's health policy correspondent, and Alex Abad-Santos, Senior Correspondent at Vox. Together they talk about the FDA's concerns about poppers — even before our current administration — and the conspiracy theory that's giving some gay men flashbacks to the 1980s.