Chemsex refers to the use of one or more drugs, in any combination, to facilitate or enhance sexual activity. The most common drugs used during chemsex are Methamphetamine (Meth), Mephedrone (Meph) and GHB (G). Ketamine and cocaine, especially in Ireland, are also frequently used by those who partake. There’s no set way to do it; it can be with a romantic partner, a one night stand, or in a group setting at a party.
While people of all sexual orientations have used drugs to amplify their sexual experiences, the specific term ‘chemsex’ has historically been associated with men who have sex with men. The term originated from a nickname (‘chems’) which was used by gay men when communicating with drug deals via text in the 1990s.
The term ‘chemsex’ has come to be an incredibly important one, from facilitating Facebook groups surrounding the phenomenon to allowing governments to identify the uniqueness of the activity in creating public health policies. It’s not just men who have sex with men that use drugs during sex, though ‘chemsex’ does refer to a deep historical and cultural practice.
People that intentionally incorporate drugs into their sex lives have reported feeling more relaxed, closer to their partner(s) and more grounded in the moment. But, of course, as with any type of drug use, the risks are immense. The side effects of drugs used during chemsex include unconsciousness, psychosis, chronic depression and even death. On top of this, when any kind of substance is mixed with sex, the lines of consent can become blurred, leading many to question their actions the next day.
“it’s happening amongst students of all sexual orientations, to the point of normalisation”
When you see it written out like this, the use of drugs during sex can seem like something very scary, and distant from our own lives. But the fact of the matter is that it’s happening amongst students of all sexual orientations, to the point of normalisation. If you’re a Trinity student, you have probably been offered a line of cocaine or a sniff of a popper at some stage during your time here. Drugs are simply a part of student party life. It shouldn’t be surprising that they have found their way into our sex lives.
It turns out that we’re pretty shy to talk about it, though. Bringing up the topic to my friends, I was met with blushes, diverted eyes and ‘I don’t knows’. I was told that people ‘might know someone who does it, but they might not want to talk to you’. Others claimed not to know anyone who does it all. When I expressed my frustration to one of my fellow editors, she said ‘I find it hard to believe that people aren’t having chemsex at Trinity’.
And she was right. People of all orientations and preferences are using drugs during sex. . But they’re reluctant to talk about it. It wasn’t until I opened up an anonymous questionnaire that people disclosed their experiences of mixing drugs and sex.
The majority of people who responded to my questionnaire were students aged 21 and 22, of varying gender identities. Cocaine was the drug of choice for the majority of people. Others have tried ‘poppers’ (amyl nitrite), cannabis, ketamine, HHC, GHB and speed (amphetamine). The majority of people agreed that the use of drugs during sex is happening much more than people think, but some were unsure about how common it is. Others were unsure about whether people are taking drugs for the sole intention of having sex. Aoife* tells me that ‘I think people do so many drugs these days and end up having sex, but wouldn’t set out to take drugs to enhance sex’.
Harry, who has had sex with both men and women while using drugs, says that cocaine and ketamine ‘enhance your sexual stamina to the point where you can have sex for hours’. However, he added that he struggles to climax. ‘Girls who I have shared chemsex experiences with have never had a problem climaxing it seems, but for me, when on stimulants, it really is close to impossible’. He believes that there is a big difference between drunken sex and sex under the influence of drugs. For Harry, using drugs during sex makes the activity ‘far more passionate and intense, because of the increase in energy’.
When it comes to the consent part of it though, Harry said that more than once he has agreed to sex ‘while being under the influence of drugs’, and ‘second guesses’ his level of consent when sober. Alex, who has used poppers, speed and cannabis during sex says that drugs can ‘definitely lower inhibition in terms of sex’, and that they would ‘definitely seek out situations (they) would be more hesitant to when sober’. Sarah, who has used HHC with her partner, noted that if she ‘wasn’t in a relationship’, she’d be ‘wary to have sex while on drugs’. Shane, who has used GHB during sex, says he ‘blacked out and woke up on the streets’ after the experience.
What comes after? Harry said he has felt ‘a sore head usually accompanied with shame’ after mixing drugs with sex, and other students note they feel a similar ‘comedown’ the following day. Shane said that to try to prevent this, people should ‘proceed with caution when mixing anything, especially counteracting weed and coke, downers and uppers’. Aoife feels that drugs ‘can take away any sort of caring side to people, especially when it’s strangers having sex’.
“if we continue to shy away from talking about these things, we only further the stigma surrounding it”
Based on the experiences of these students, it seems that if chemsex something you are engaging in, the best thing you can do is to plan ahead. Set boundaries before sex, and if you can, check again for consent during it. Carrying your own protection and lube, and getting checked for STIs is the way to go. The majority of students that answered my questionnaire are not getting regularly checked for STIs. As students, if we continue to shy away from talking about these things, we only further the stigma surrounding it. Opening up conversations about chemsex allows us to protect ourselves from others from the risks surrounding it. It could even save a life.
*All names have been changed to maintain anonymity
