Gay chemsex

Chemsex involves using drugs before or during planned sexual activity to sustain, enhance, disinhibit or facilitate the experience. Gay men have always sought heightened sexual experiences. Side effects can include hallucinations, insomnia, inflammation, heart palpitations and anxiety.

When addiction sets in, the choice about engaging in chemsex — including how often, how long and what people do — is diminished or non-existent. Mephedrone meph : mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant that brings about feelings of euphoria and causes a speedy sensation. For many people, gay and straight, hedonistic sex-fuelled with drugs starts off as experimentation.

Instead, chemsex is the intentional use of drugs to fuel, enhance or prolong sexual activity. The term chemsex is used in Europe and Asia. ChemSex is a term that is used when people are having sex, which involves using one or more of three specific drugs (chems) in any combination.

He identifies a few forces that have shaped queer culture around drugs and sex. If physical addiction develops, then withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety , shaking, sweating and insomnia. Methamphetamine crystal meth : this drug is highly addictive and can be very potent. For tourists in big cities, chemsex can be a way of connecting very quickly with the gay community and enjoying sexual experiences.

They include:. The Chemsex drugs facilitate. For some, however, experimentation becomes riskier as they chase guaranteed highs or specific sensations. Chemsex also carries a risk of contracting STIs including HIV, due to the effect of reducing sexual inhibitions or safe practices.

Chemsex is distinct to sex that takes place after gay men have used recreational drugs coincidentally. People take part in ChemSex for a number of different reasons, some find it increases sexual stimulation, for other people it can reduce their inhibitions. Crystal meth can make people feel extremely high, charged, alert and sexually aroused with decreased sexual inhibitions.

For some gay men, chemsex is a form of self-expression and liberation, in a world that has felt isolating or prejudiced at times. Brian Paddick, the former deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan police, have spoken out movingly about the dangers of the chemsex drug, GHB.

But what help is there to stop for people who get addicted to chemsex? This article focuses on some of the social, cultural and psychological aspects of drug use in sexualized settings in gay and bisexual men (referred to as “chemsex”). It’s most commonly practised by gay men and other men who have sex with men.

As drugs are used more frequently and in greater quantities, the risks of physical and psychological addiction increase too. They are used at chemsex parties to reduce sexual inhibitions and bring about euphoria and drowsiness. It can be psychologically addictive.

As with any drug use or reward-seeking behaviour, no-one ever starts out with the intention of doing themselves or other people harm or getting addicted. It releases dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. As with any other addiction, people can find themselves doing things they did not intend to do, bringing about guilt, shame or disassociation with self.

Using and withdrawing from crystal meth is often extremely distressing, both physically and mentally — in some cases inducing heart problems, paranoia, aggression and even suicidal ideation. This makes chemsex more prevalent in communities of gay and bisexual men. But sex on chems can quickly deteriorate into empty, sometimes abusive, and often unfulfilling high-risk sexual behavior that leaves.

This type of sex typically relies on the arousal-increasing properties of specific stimulants and is most commonly used among men who have sex with men. Chemsex is a term coined by activist David Stuart describing gay men and men who have sex with men (MSM) having sex under the influence of psychoactive drugs.

Chemsex is a cultural phenomenon: It’s more than just drugs and sex, and it’s unique to gay men, Stuart says. Chemsex (also known as party and play or wired play) refers to the use of drugs during sex. In extreme cases, people need to dose every hour in order to prevent the onset of severe withdrawal symptoms.

The term chemsex also refers to the parties, often hosted by dealers of chemsex drugs, where men meet up to take drugs and have sex. In America and Australia, it’s known as PnP, which stands for ‘party and play’. The drugs that are typically used for chemsex have a range of mood-altering effects, as well as significant risks to the user.

Associated risks of chemsex: Apart from the risks of drug poisoning or fatal drug overdose, chemsex has also been connected in some cases to violence, rape and even murder of gay men.