What is chemsex?
‘Chemsex’ is the term used to describe sexual activity while under the influence of drugs (also known as chems). There are a number of reasons as to why people engage in chemsex that include, but are not limited to, low self-esteem and desires to enhance a sexual experience. Chemsex can happen with one or multiple sexual partners and mostly takes place among men who have sex with men.
What drugs are most commonly associated with chemsex?
Chemsex is most simply defined as sexual activity while under the influence of drugs, which can include the likes of cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine. However, the three that are most commonly associated with it are:
- Crystal meth – a strong amphetamine stimulant that is psychologically addictive.
- Mephedrone – a powerful stimulant that is psychologically addictive.
- GHB/GBL (commonly known as ‘G’) – a corrosive, liquid depressant that is physically addictive.
These can lead to an enhanced sexual experience, though come with significant health risks and are incredibly addictive. They can also impair your ability to make decisions, lead to issues around consent and, in worst-case scenarios, result in overdose and death. Ignacio Labayen de Inza, the founder and CEO of Controlling Chemsex, told GAY TIMES that “crystal meth is the drug causing most problems” in London. “The data that we’ve collected indicates that 96 per cent who are seeking help because of issues relating to chems use are using crystal meth,” he continued. “GHB is also a big problem – GHB is linked to overdoses, sexual assaults and a physical dependency that can make withdrawal really difficult.”
What are the risks of chemsex?
The impact of taking part in chemsex varies from person to person, though it always comes with a number of risks:
- Physically, it can lead to accidents and injuries as a result of being under the influence of drugs, while long-term health problems can also develop. Drugs such as crystal meth and mephedrone are sometimes injected, meaning an increased risk of infections and blood borne viruses.
- Mentally, chemsex has been linked to higher levels of anxiety and depression, as well as psychotic episodes such as paranoia and/or hallucinations.
- Partaking in chemsex can also impact your sexual health, with high risk of HIV, hepatitis C and other STIs such as syphilis and gonorrhoea being transmitted. Chemsex users are also at risk of poor adherence to HIV medication, potentially jeopardising their undetectable status.
- Chemsex also has the potential to affect wider aspects of your life, such as work and personal finance.