chemsex
Chemsex means using drugs, usually crystal meth, GHB/GBL or mephedrone, to have sex, often for hours or days and with several partners. It's common in parts of the gay scene, and people do it for real reasons: confidence, connection, escaping shame, or just intensity. This page doesn't judge. It's here to keep you alive and to point you to help if you want it.
Harm-reduction information, not medical advice and not encouragement; see our legal policies. These drugs are illegal in most countries. Quick tips are also on sexual health and drug services on our support page.
If someone won't wake up, is breathing strangely, is fitting or has chest pain
Call your local emergency number straight away. Put them in the recovery position on their side. Tell responders what they took. Some places, including most US states and Canada, have laws that protect people who call for help in an overdose from some drug charges. Whatever the law where you are, call: a life matters more. Never let someone "sleep off" G.
ghb/gbl ("g")
- The gap between a dose and an overdose is tiny. Measure exactly with a syringe or pipette, never by eye or "a capful". GBL is stronger than GHB, so the same amount isn't the same dose.
- Time it. Wait at least two hours between doses, and write down when you took it, or set a timer. Many overdoses come from re-dosing too soon.
- Never mix with alcohol. G plus alcohol is the most common cause of G overdose.
- Colour it or keep it in a marked bottle so nobody drinks it by accident.
- Daily use can cause dependence, and stopping suddenly can cause dangerous withdrawal. Get medical help to stop; don't do it alone.
crystal meth ("tina")
- Eat, drink water and try to sleep. Days without food or sleep are what makes the comedown so brutal, and can trigger psychosis.
- Use your own kit: pipes, straws or needles. Sharing spreads hepatitis C and HIV. Needle and syringe services give out free clean kit.
- Slamming (injecting) carries extra risk of infections, abscesses and overdose. If you inject, learn how to do it more safely from a harm-reduction service.
- Watch your heart: chest pain, racing heartbeat or overheating are emergencies.
mixing & medication
- Every drug you add raises the risk. Ketamine, alcohol and benzos with G are especially dangerous.
- Poppers with erection pills (Viagra, Cialis) can drop blood pressure dangerously.
- HIV medication, especially boosted regimes, can raise drug levels in your blood. Ask your HIV clinic; they won't judge.
- Test your drugs where drug-checking services exist. Fentanyl and other strong drugs have been found in some batches.
sex & consent
- Consent still counts. Someone who is passed out, "G'd out" or too high to respond can't consent. Stop, and check they're okay.
- Take your PrEP before the weekend, and bring DoxyPEP if you use it. If you missed PrEP and had a risk, get PEP within 72 hours.
- Long sessions mean more friction and tears: use plenty of lube, and separate lube for each partner when fisting. See activity safety.
- If something happened that you didn't agree to, it isn't your fault, even if you were high. See kink or abuse?
when it's a problem
Some signs it might be getting out of hand:
- you can't enjoy sex without drugs any more
- sessions are getting longer, or closer together
- you're missing work, money or sleep because of it
- the comedowns are getting darker
- you've done things you wouldn't agree to sober
- friends have said they're worried
None of that makes you a bad person. Specialist chemsex services exist because this is common, and most are run by and for gay and bi men.
help without judgement
- Antidote at London FriendThe UK's LGBTQ+ drug, alcohol and chemsex support service, with one-to-one support and groups.
- 56 Dean StreetA London sexual health clinic with a well-known chemsex support service.
- LGBT HERO chemsex directoryA UK-wide list of chemsex support services by area.
- ReleaseUK drug law and harm-reduction advice, including a free helpline.
- Deutsche AidshilfeGerman HIV and harm-reduction organisation with chemsex advice and local services.
- DanceSafeUS drug-checking kits and harm-reduction information.
- NEXT DistroUS harm-reduction supplies by mail, including naloxone and safer-use kits, in many states.
Elsewhere, ask your sexual health or HIV clinic; many run chemsex support or can refer you.
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