Chemsex

What is Chemsex?

Chemsex refers to using certain substances to enhance or prolong sexual play. It’s common in many queer communities, especially with men who have sex with men, and people participate for different reasons - pleasure, connection, confidence, curiosity.

For others, substances can be used to displace or numb difficult feelings such as feeling inadequate, lonely, sad, disconnected, anxious, or struggling with self-worth. 

When chemsex becomes a primary way of coping with emotional pain or disconnection, it can be more likely to become problematic or harder to control, and may increase risks to physical and mental health.
These are often the situations where support, and non-judgemental care are most important.

This guide isn’t here to judge anyone. It’s here to help you stay safer, informed and in control of your choices.
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Common Substances/Drugs

Understanding names helps you recognise what’s being discussed. This does not mean any of these substances are safe- all carry risks, especially when mixed.

  • Methamphetamine - known as Tina, Crystal, Meth, T

  • Mephedrone - known as Meow Meow, Meph, 3-MMC, 4-MMC, 3M, 4M

  • GHB/GBL - known as G, Gina, Liquid E

  • Ketamine - often called K, Special K

  • Cocaine - Coke, Charlie

  • MDMA - Ecstasy, Molly

  • Monkeydust - Monkey, Bath Salts, MDPV

If you’re unsure what a substance actually is, don’t take it. Do your research.

Street names can be misleading, and products may be mixed or contaminated.

Consent & Communication

Consent must always be clear, voluntary, and ongoing, even during a session.

  • If someone is too intoxicated to communicate clearly, they cannot give consent.

  • Discuss limits and expectations before using substances.

Protection

When intoxicated, it’s easy to lose track of doses, condoms, or PrEP schedules.
As a safety baseline:

  • Use your own PrEP - not anyone else’s.

  • Assume everyone’s HIV status is positive for protection purposes.

  • Use condoms when possible- PrEP does not protect against other STI’s

  • Test for HIV 28 days after the last sexual encounter that involved risk.

  • Get regular STI screening.


Do you have a problem with Chemsex?

Is it impossible to have sex without drugs? Are the comedowns too much, but you still can’t let go?

There are services that can help:

LGBTIQ+ Wellbeing Service:
Rainbow Support Service:
Oasi:
Caritas:
Sedqa:

Harm Reduction Tips

Stay In Control

  • Know your surroundings and who you are with.

  • Have a plan for getting home safely.

  • Keep your phone charged and your valuables in a secure place.

  • Start low, go slow- start with low doses; never assume “T” or “G” is the same substance ever

Mixing Drugs?

Mixing drugs is one of the biggest risks during chemsex. Different substances can interact in unpredictable ways, and even small amounts can become dangerous when combined.

Mixing is risky because:

  • Drugs affect your brain, breathing, heart, and awareness.

  • When two substances have similar effects, they can multiply each other.

  • When they have opposite effects, they can trick you into thinking you’re “fine”, leading to taking more than intended.

  • In chemsex spaces, people may not realise what they’ve taken, making reactions harder to manage

Common Interactions to Avoid

GHB + Alcohol = One of the most dangerous combinations
Both depress your breathing and consciousness. Mixing them greatly increases the risk of:

  • Blackouts

  • Vomiting and choking

  • Loss of consciousness

  • Overdose requiring emergency help

If you choose to use G, avoid alcohol completely- and make sure the dose is lower than 1mg per 1.5hours.

GHB + Ketamine (K)

Both slow the body and brain. Combining them can lead to:

  • Sudden loss of awareness

  • Confusion

  • Falling or injury

  • Breathing difficulties

GHB + Benzos (Etc. Xanax, Valium)

Another high-risk combination. These drugs reinforce each other’s sedative effects and dramatically increase overdose risk.

Meth (Tina) + Mephedrone (3MMC/4MMC/Meow Meow)

Both are strong stimulants. Mixing them can cause:

  • Racing heart / high blood pressure

  • Anxiety, panic, or paranoia

  • Overheating and dehydration

  • Heart strain

Stimulants don’t “cancel out” depressants and vice versa- they just make your body work harder.

Meth (Tina) + Erectile Dysfunction Medication (Viagra/Kamagra/Cialis)

This mix puts strain on the heart and blood vessels, especially during long sessions.

Monkeydust + Alcohol

Can mask warning signs like overheating or agitation. Increases risk of dehydration, blackouts, and loss of control.

Monkeydust + GHB

A very dangerous mix. Stimulants can hide how sedated someone is becoming, raising the risk of overdose, breathing problems, or sudden collapse.

Monkeydust + Cocaine/Mephedrone (3M/4M/Meow)/Meth (Tina)

Greatly increases the risk of heart problems, panic, paranoia, overheating, and psychosis.

Cocaine + Alcohol

Your body creates a chemical called cocaethylene, which is more toxic to the liver and heart than cocaine alone.

Check out this link to know more about interactions.  

Do Not Share Equipment

  • Do not share snorting tools.

  • Do not share injecting equipment - sharing carries a high risk of HIV, hepatitis C, and bacterial infections.

  • If someone is injecting in the space, avoid reusing anything, even once.

Look out for each other

  • If someone is unresponsive, breathing slowly, or losing consciousness, call 112 immediately (emergency).

  • You don’t need to explain the substances used- just say someone is unresponsive

Keep Track of Time

Losing track is common in chemsex. Set phone reminders to check in on yourself and anyone else.

Stay Cool & Hydrated

Especially if stimulants are involved- overheating is a common risk. Drink plenty of water, and fruit are your friends.