Practice mentioned by certain media – but not confirmed – in the accident of Pierre Palmade, the practice of “chemsex” consists in mixing drugs and sexual relations.
It is a sexual practice, more often observed in the homosexual or libertine community, which consists of combining drugs and sexual relations. Chemsex is indeed a mixture of the English words “Chemicals” (chemicals) and “Sex”, designating the consumption of substances during the sexual act. The interest for “chemsexeurs” is to increase “the desire, the pleasure, the sensations” because the people who are followers of the practice “hope to feel more efficient sexually by taking drugs” indicates the specialized prevention site Drug Info Service.
Drugs used during “chemsex”
The individual who is adept in the practice may consume various drugs which have their effects as a common factor”stimulants and euphoriants” such as cathinones (4-MEC, 3-MMC, …), cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy/MDMA, ketamine and GHB often associated with products to promote erection but also poppers and alcohol reported the prevention site.
A dangerous practice
A report -the “Chemsex Report”- published by the Ministry of Health in March 2022, and supervised by Professor Amine Benyamina, specifies the consequences that this practice can have on health:
- Intranasal or intravenous drug use can lead to an increase in cases of sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis C;
- When practiced, drugs acting on the perception of those who use it tend not to use condoms, which also increases the case of STI infection, including HIV;
- The report also mentions impacts on the mental health (depression, addiction, isolation, etc.) of “slammers” (practicing chemsex);
- Among the fears of the health authorities are also highlighted the psychiatric risks;
- High risks of dependence are also cited, which can also lead to fatal overdoses.
As the media recalls Stubborn“the awareness by the authorities of the health problem posed by the development of chemsex – which moreover is now gradually spreading outside the gay community – is insufficient. It is important, and urgent, to put in place , as we have been able to do for alcohol, effective prevention and harm reduction policies” insisted the media.