(NEXSTAR) — This week, several brands who create amyl nitrite products — known commonly as the sexual enhancement drug "poppers" — abruptly shut down operations, with all claiming that the closures stemmed from intervention by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. On Thursday, Double Scorp io, a popular manufacturer of these products, posted a notice to its website, reading: "Double Scorpio has stopped all operations following a search and seizure at our offices by the FDA." What’s a ‘millennial burger joint’ and why is it a meme? “Poppers” is a term used to refer to a variety of liquid chemicals, typically amyl nitrate, which are sometimes inhaled by people recreationally for enhanced sexual arousal and temporary relaxation. While these items can be sold (and are widely available in places like adult novelty stores), their use is not approved in any way by the FDA and using them as a drug is illegal. While poppers can’t legally be sold under the name “poppers,” the small bottles can be sold for other uses, like cleaners, nail polish removers or air fresheners. Some popular brands include Rush, Super Rush and Sub-Zero — many such brands come in bottles similar in size to those of energy drinks like 5-Hour Energy. Popular Rush brand of poppers (US FDA) While Double Scorpio explained it didn't have "a lot of information," it said it believed other manufacturers had been affected by the FDA recently. Fast Company reports it spoke to two merchants anonymously who confirmed Double Scorpio's belief that these companies are being targeted. The FDA is an arm of the Department of Health and Human Services, which recently became headed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Fast Company explains has made false claims that poppers cause AIDS. 60 percent of voters unhappy with DOGE handling of federal workers: Poll In his 2021 book, "The Real Anthony Fauci," Kennedy, who has never been a doctor or a scientist (and who has notably many scientifically questionable or else scientifically proven false beliefs) wrote: "heavy recreational drug use in gay men and drug addicts was the real cause of immune deficiency” of AIDS victims in the 1980s-90s. In the book, Kennedy cites the famously discredited work of AIDS denialist Peter Duesberg (and parroted by podcaster Joe Rogan). While poppers can cause various health defects (more on that below), there is no evidence of poppers causing HIV/AIDS infection. Meanwhile, both Fast Company and Them report that many online poppers companies or retailers have scrubbed or limited their social media footprints and websites. What do poppers do? Though they are not approved for usage, poppers remain popular in some communities, including LGBTQ and party spaces. As Cleveland Clinic explains, poppers belong to a series of chemicals known as vasodilators. When inhaled as vapors, these nitrates “allow blood vessels to widen and blood flow to increase,” in addition to relaxing smooth muscle tissues. But the FDA warns against any use of poppers — because even using them in the way some people intend to can be dangerous or deadly. “These chemicals can be caustic and damage the skin or other tissues they come in contact with, cause difficulty breathing, extreme drops in blood pressure, decreases in blood oxygen levels, seizures, heart arrhythmia, coma, and death,” said Judy McMeekin, Pharm. D., FDA Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs. "Do not ingest or inhale under any circumstances.” International Delight coffee creamer shipped to 31 states is recalled Hazards of popper use include irregular heartbeats and conditions, dangerously low blood pressure, medication interactions, and loss of vision. If you think you’re having serious side effects related to poppers, you should call 911 or visit an emergency room. In statements to both Them and Fast Company, the FDA replied: "As a matter of policy, the FDA does not comment on possible criminal investigations." Nexstar has also reached out for comment and will update should we receive additional communications. ...read more read less