What Kind of Drug Is It?

Amyl nitrite is a clear, yellowish, flammable (burns easily) liquid with a strong fruity odor. Some sources describe it as having a sweet smell similar to a ripe banana; others compare it to the slightly sickening sweetness of a rotten apple. Old amyl nitrite takes on a vinegary smell similar to dirty, sweaty socks.

Amyl nitrite is a stimulant, meaning that it increases the rate at which chemical reactions occur in the body. Stimulants are substances that increase the activity of a living organism or one of its parts. Amyl nitrite EVAPORATES into the air at room temperature and is not intended to be swallowed. Instead, the fumes from liquid amyl nitrite are inhaled by the user, usually through the nose. For this reason, amyl nitrite is called an INHALANT. It is available legally in the United States only with...