Perhaps you may have stumbled across the all-too-familiar ads boasting about the unlimited hours sex-enhancing pills like Viagra, the Pink Pussycat, and OLLY Lady Libido can do for sex. Outside of these heavily marketed supplements, some people use psychedelics (such as LSD or ecstasy) and other drugs like methamphetamine to evoke the same feelings of better, longer lasting, and more fun sex. The usage of drugs in the men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) community is well documented, and the term chemsex has been used to name this practice.
Discourse has most often surrounded the negative implications of chemsex, such as the health consequences that can occur as a result of the combination of drugs and sex. Yet, almost every sexual interaction has its share of pros and cons. Consisting of more than just drug usage and health scares, chemsex is a multifaceted practice that, according to some practitioners, has the potential to emphasize pleasure, performance, and community.
WHAT’S THE CHEM IN CHEMSEX?
The term “chemsex” (synonymous with other terms like party and play or p’n’p) describes the intake of psychoactive and non-psychoactive substances to enhance and prolong the sexual experience for men who have sex with other men. The terminology is heavily used within the United Kingdom gay and MSM scene. In the 90s, drugs like cannabis, ecstasy, amphetamine and cocaine were used, but as of late new psychoactive substances have found prominence: Gamma-hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB), crystal meth, erectile dysfunction supplements like Sildenfil (Viagra), and Tadalafil, and poppers to name just a few of many. The usage of such substances aids in a longer lasting sexual performance, which explains its prevalence in many nightclubs and disco scenes—fast paced environments that openly invite multiple sexual partners even within a night.
Those living with HIV—who may already be taking pills to combat the side effects—might dabble in these drugs to mask whatever physical sexual attributes they struggle with due to the virus. The health concerns particularly related to chemsex might be said to stem not from the act of taking substances and having sex, but rather the additional risk factor of transmitting HIV. Yet, this is not entirely true; studies have shown that although there might be a correlation between those who participate in chemsex and higher reports of STIs and HIV, the activity of chemsex cannot be determined to be the cause. What can be agreed upon, however, is the fact that engaging in chemsex mixed with other risky practices like condomless anal sex and multiple partners within a short time period can lead to an increased likelihood of transmitting HIV.
C STANDS FOR CONTEXT
Chemsex is a practice with implications for the broader context of what it means to be queer and autonomous in a “scandalous” world of men having sex with men—especially on drugs. Whether that be reclaiming the sexual body in a world that is opposed to drug use and consumption, or being meticulous and conscious of your choices in a world where constant drug use is seen as a medical and psychological disorder which should be overcome. In the eyes of some, chemsex becomes a space where “transformative potential” can be realized. This transformative potential looks beyond a black-and-white view of what drug use is, and instead frames it not as a coping mechanism for queer folks, but as a center for bringing communities together through exploration of substance and sex.
Let’s drop the jargon talk for a second, getting out of the theoretical and into the reality of what chemsex is and what it feels like for those who may partake in this activity. An anonymous blog poster shares his experience with chemsex. Among many of the insightful claims he makes, this user takes us down his own journey, noting that while on substances, he was able to break out of a timid sexual shell and surround himself with like-minded people for the time being. Through his story, we see how chemsex also serves as a point of self-discovery where individuals can learn more about how to navigate sex communities while also learning more about their authentic self and bodies.
This anecdote reveals another side to the action outside of the health risks commonly discussed in the media: chemsex serves as a place to discover the sexual politics that govern the community, and becomes a space to learn what your role is in the midst of all this hot steamy and hazy sex.
C STANDS FOR CONTINUOUS KNOWLEDGE
Previous Nymphomedia posts have explored the relationships between substances and sex, with helpful tips on how to consume—and consummate, if you will—safely. Chemsex is typically seen through a medical lens, focusing on the physical dangers that can arise through puffing and playing, yet in order to personify this practice it is important to gauge the real stories and lived experiences behind it. Discovering other people’s experiences and learning about new ways to enhance your sex life can lead us to be more aware of what we never knew we needed to jolt that little sex bolt inside us. As long as we are divulging in our sexual curiosity safely and with the right precautions set in place, sex will always remain an intimate, fun bonding experience—one that may find to be enhanced by some substances.
Written by Destiny Maldonado.
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