Poppers, apps, and pleasure: From set to setting among sexually diverse men in Mexico.
The International journal on drug policy June 1, 2026 Juan Carlos Mendoza-Pérez, Keith J Watts
Poppers (alkyl nitrites) are widely used among sexually diverse men in Mexico to enhance sexual pleasure, yet research has focused on risks like HIV transmission. This mixed-methods study of 358 sexually diverse cisgender men who had used poppers found that use is a positive embodied practice intensifying sensory arousal and expressing agency, often partner-mediated and embedded in negotiation and intimacy. Dating apps normalize poppers use, facilitate access, and help filter for compatible partners. Findings challenge risk-based narratives and support pleasure-centered harm reduction approaches that recognize relational and digital contexts.