Two other inmates, both with long dark hair and wearing form-fitting minidresses, jostle to be the next to parade down the aisle. They twitch their hips and seem to be having the time of their lives as scores of men and transgender women whoop and shout out unprintable encouragements. Shortly before, Yah Yah, one of four inmates approved by the Sheriff’s Department to speak to, and be videotaped by, the newspaper, had been explaining, “You’re allowed to be with whomever you want to, talk to whomever you want and do whatever you want to, basically, as long as you do it in a respectable way.” The impromptu fashion show broke out the moment after inmates spotted L.A. The scene seems all but impossible inside this tough, urban jail, one of the largest in the world, outfitted with 1,000 security cameras and employing some 500 Sheriff’s deputies as jailers, where hardened inmates sometimes manage to murder other inmates. And this year, seven of the county’s own jailers were convicted as part of an ongoing federal investigation into obstruction of justice and use of excessive force against inmates. MCJ, as many dub it, is a cauldron of racial tension where violence is easily stirred by a fluctuating daily population of 3,900 to 4,700 inmates packed in close quarters. Share on Pinterest Inhaling poppers can cause irregular and rapid heart rhythms.But among the roughly 400 people housed in “K6G,” the gay wing of Men’s Central Jail, there’s little outward expression of racial prejudice or gang rivalry. Inhaling poppers can cause severe effects, and may be fatal. Taking the drug in this way can cause irregular and rapid heart rhythms and result in a syndrome called “sudden sniffing death.”Īlso, poppers can have other complications that are potentially fatal.įor example, the drug can cause methemoglobinemia, a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body produces too much methemoglobin, a substance in red blood cells. Taking poppers may also lead to serious brain or eye damage and risky sexual behavior.įor example, research in rats indicates that the chemicals in poppers may be toxic to the brain and inhibit learning and memory. It is also possible for poppers to cause temporary or permanent vision loss. This may occur because the drugs’ chemical formulations cause retinal damage. Some experts suggest that using poppers may lead to risky sexual activity, increasing the chances of contracting HIV.Īlso, research from 2017 links long-term poppers use in men who have sex with men to a higher risk of cancers related to viruses and sexually transmitted infections. Some people mix poppers with erectile dysfunction medication, such as sildenafil ( Viagra) and tadalafil ( Cialis). This can increase the risk of cardiovascular complications, which can be fatal. Mixing poppers with alcohol is also unsafe and can result in a dangerous drop in blood pressure. In addition, alcohol can increase the risk of adverse effects such as dizziness and lightheadedness. People typically use poppers for a pleasurable feeling of intoxication or euphoria, but some find the experience unpleasant and disorientating. Poppers primarily act as vasodilators, which means that they expand blood vessels. If blood pressure drops too low, it may cause fainting or a loss of consciousness. Poppers also relax the muscles around the anus. Some people report that using poppers enhances their pleasure from anal sex. Headaches: Because poppers cause blood vessels in the brain to widen, headaches can result.Poppers may cause other unwanted effects, such as: However, the drug can also reduce the ability to get an erection. They can vary in intensity and may persist after the euphoric effects of the drug wear off.