What is chemsex?

Downers calm and relax you. They make you relaxed and happy. You’re also sometimes less afraid to do things. Your heart rate slows down and your breathing is more relaxed. 

These drugs are downers:

• alcohol
• heroin
• GHB (the date rape drug)
• GLB (also known as G, Gina, Liquid E and Liquid ecstasy)
• cannabis 
• ketamine

Advantages of sex while taking downers

• You feel less inhibited
• Sometimes, you want to have sex more 

Disadvantages of sex while taking downers

• It’s possible that you or your client cannot get an erection because of these drugs. That makes it easier for a condom to slide off or break
• Sometimes, it is more difficult for you or your client to orgasm. Especially if you use these drugs a lot or often.
• Your client may become aggressive in that case

Uppers give you energy and make you happy. They also make you more alert. Your heart rate rises and you breathe faster. Your temperature and blood pressure go up. If you take uppers, you don’t want to sleep, eat and drink.

These drugs are uppers:

• XTC
• MDMA
• speed
• cocaine
• crystal meth

Advantages of sex while taking uppers

• You have more energy
• Often, you are hornier and want to cuddle more

Disadvantages of sex while taking uppers

• It’s possible that you or your client cannot get an erection because of these drugs. That makes it easier for a condom to slide off or break
• Sometimes, it is more difficult for you or your client to orgasm. Especially if you use these drugs a lot or often.
• Your client may become aggressive in that case

Poppers is a clear liquid. It comes in small bottles and has a strong smell. You inhale poppers through your nose directly from the bottle. You already feel the effect within a few seconds. You feel the sensation for three to five minutes.

What is sex like when you use poppers?

You sniff poppers just before you orgasm. The orgasm is more intense. You also feel more excited when someone touches you. And your anus relaxes. That makes it easier for a penis to enter your anus.

It is more difficult for a man to get an erection from men. That means you can postpone the orgasm. 

Advantages of sex while taking poppers

• It gives you a short high 
• You experience sex more intensely
• You are hornier
• You are willing to do more
• It relaxes you, including your anus

Disadvantages of sex while taking poppers

• Poppers may cause dizziness, headache or nausea
• Do not use poppers together with Viagra. That is dangerous: you can pass out and damage your body internally
• Poppers can be dangerous for people with cardiovascular problems
• It’s possible that you no longer enjoy sex without poppers
• It’s possible that you will be less likely to use a condom 

Hallucinogenes are drugs that make you feel, hear and see the world differently than when you don’t use drugs. Your perception of time and space may change. Such an experience is known as a trip.

These drugs are hallucinogens

• mushrooms 
• LSD
• 2C-B
• 2C-E
• mescaline
• ayahuasca
• DMT
• 5-MeO-DiPT

What is sex like when you use hallucinogens?

These drugs change how you feel, hear and see people and things around you. Sex feels differently than when you don’t use drugs. Some people really enjoy sex while using hallucinogens. They experience the sex and connection much more intensely, but not always. The effects of these drugs differ per person.

It is better not to take different types of drugs at the same time. You can often feel less of the effect of the drugs you take. It is actually more burdensome on your body. Sometimes, it can be dangerous to combine drugs.

Do you want to use different drugs at the same time anyway? And have you never done this or not done it very often? In that case, please note:

• Use the drugs in a safe environment, preferably with people you know
• Only take drugs you have experience with
• Start will a small amount
• Wait to take the second drug until after you start to feel the effects of the first one

It is important to know before combining drugs what this can do to you.

Get information about using drugs from an organization like Jellinek or Drugsinfoteam (Dutch only). They provide information and advice about drugs and using them.

Don’t only ask people who have experience combining drugs. You still won’t know what the drugs can do to your body.

There are various websites where you can find information and get advice about sex and drugs:

• mainline.nl
• sense.info
• mantotman.nl (Dutch only)