Drugs and gay sex

Chemsex means using certain drugs as part of your sex life. It comes with a lot of risks and can have long-lasting consequences.

What is chemsex?

Chemsex involves using drugs before or during planned sexual action to sustain, increase, disinhibit or facilitate the experience. 

The legal title chemsex is used in Europe and Asia. In America and Australia, it’s known as PnP, which stands for ‘party and play’.

It’s most commonly practised by gay men and other men who have sex with men. But it does change people of all genders and sexualities, including straight men and women, transitioned women and neutrois people.

Not everyone who uses drugs will try chemsex, and not everyone who has chemsex will experience problems. There are different levels of use, from experimenting once to daily drug taking.

We’ve worked with the experts at Controlling Chemsex to uncover out more about chemsex and how it can influence your sexual health.

What drugs does it involve?

In the UK, chemsex typically involves 3 specific drugs, known as chems. These are taken before or during sex. These drugs are:

Crystal methamphetamine, also known as T, Tina, crystal, ice or meth

Methamphetamine is a very addictive st

Injecting drugs

Sometimes people inject crystal meth and mephedrone. With this there is an increased risk of infections and viruses like HIV and HEP A&B. To minimise your risk never share needles.

Set Group Rules

Agree in advance, and while sober, what sex you want to have – and don’t want to have. Create sure everyone is in consent about what is going to happen and respect others boundaries.

Safer Sex?

Be upfront about the type of sex you want to have – including if you want to use condoms. – and bring safer sex materials with you. Not using condoms can put you at uncertainty of STIs, and people on certain drugs may have rougher sex increasing the risk of bleeding and infection.

PrEP

PrEP is a drug which, when taken correctly, prevents you from contracting HIV. If you are going to have unproteced sex with muliple partners and under the guide of drugs – PrEP could be beneficial in limiting your risk of HIV infection.

Other substances?

You should avoid mixing drugs, with alcohol and any other drugs and never mix poppers with erectile drugs like Viagra – please check out our knowledge on dosing for more counsel o

Chemsex – the Drugs and Sex Subculture in the Gay Community

Brian Paddick, the former deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan police, have spoken out movingly about the dangers of the chemsex drug, GHB. Paddick’s ex-boyfriend, Michael, died of a GHB overdose at a chemsex party in 2013. Speaking out publicly for the first time about Michael’s tragic death, Paddick is calling for a government-funded publicity programme to raise knowledge about chemsex drugs. But what help is there to stop for people who get addicted to chemsex?

What Is Chemsex?

Chemsex is the practice of taking drugs, often GHB, mephedrone and/or methamphetamine, for the specific purpose of facilitating sexual activity between gay men. The designation chemsex also refers to the parties, often hosted by dealers of chemsex drugs, where men join up to take drugs and have sex.

Chemsex is distinct to sex that takes place after homosexual men have used recreational drugs coincidentally. Instead, chemsex is the intentional utilize of drugs to fuel, enhance or prolong sexual activity.

The drugs that are typically used for chemsex have a range of mood-altering effects, as adv as significant risks to the user. They inclu

People are taking GHB in clubs. Experts say we're not paying enough attention.

In the club or at a party, GHB makes its entrance. It arrives in a small vial – maybe paired with a dropper – and is poured into a drink. Something sweet like lemonade. Or even water. 

"G" is popular enough among some on the party scene to be acknowledged by just its first initial. It has been favored in club settings, particularly at queer clubs. Users speak they feel euphoric, promiscuous and confident. But it can also cause nausea, dizziness, blurred vision and elevated body temperatures. In Europe, it's gained attention for being linked to a number of rapes and deaths. 

Experts say GHB deserves more of our attention and caution, and those who are taking it should be armed with information about its dangers, especially as it gains popularity. Remember, too, that addiction is possible, and drug employ can be deadly.

"If you're using a drug like GHB, you need to tell your friends," says Joseph Palamar, associate professor in the department of population health at New York University. "If you're out with five people dancing, and you're the one person who takes G, your friends need to know."

What is GHB?

GHB s