Chemsex, a new high-risk sexual trend
First it started in England under the banner of the Underground culture, it walked around the open concerts in central Europe and now it comes to Spain a fashion that is causing a furore among young people and a stupor on the part of the health authorities.
“Chemsex”, derived from the English terms chemical and sex , is a socio-cultural phenomenon that began to spread throughout the United Kingdom a few years ago. Medical experts and couples’ psychologists warn of the potential danger that this dangerous game can degenerate into society.
What exactly is chemsex?
Chemsex is not only about intentional or consensual sex with another person, but is a widespread sexual behavior involving synthetic drugs that impair behavior under their effects .
As a general rule, but not exclusively, it is aimed at the homosexual collective or also known as LGTB, where men meet other men by means of technological applications of flirting such as Grinder. However, gender is also becoming popular among heterosexuals.
The type of drugs involved in this dangerous game of Russian roulette, are also a worrying fact . They are not simply psychoactive drugs that allow for greater and more lasting sexual activity l, but they allow for extreme levels of disinhibition.
Some of the products consumed at Chemsex parties are: mephedrone, crystal meth, hydroxybutyrate and butyrolactone. The peculiarity comes in the process of their consumption, combining all of them to provoke a state of ecstasy that can last several days in a row and without sleep.
Ergo, these drugs are the gasoline that gives way to disproportionate and long-lasting orgies , increasing physical danger, not only because of the levels of drugs that are consumed and damage the body, but also because of the increased likelihood of contracting sexual infections.
What causes fuel the phenomenon?
Chemsex has a psychological explanation, as do most social trends and attitudes. Several qualitative studies carried out by experts in the field have shown that in most cases, participants show low self-esteem and confidence .
That is, they have little capacity to relate to those people who are physically attracted to them and do not know how to deal with a flirtatious situation, so they go to a macro event so as not to feel so self-conscious.
Psychological effects
Some British media, such as the British Medical Journal , a portal with a prestigious reputation within the health sector, explain the psychological effects of taking this type of drug, which are exceptional.
Both crystal and mephedrone, which are essential to withstand the rhythm imposed by chemsex, cause an acceleration of the heart rate that leads to a feeling of euphoria and sexual attraction, while hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a powerful disinhibitor and also an analgesic.
Thus, the concerns that arise from the celebration of this type of festival are both psychological and physical . Mentally, the crystal can lead to a terrible dependency, losing all notion of reality and time.
Physiological effects
Although it may seem obvious, the physical effects of implementing chemsex should be highlighted. The consumption of GHB provides energy that an individual can stay awake for 76 hours without having eaten food or water, which has devastating effects on the human body.
Consequently, as a result of the physiological dependence that is created, this allows for the worsening of sentimental relations with the respective partners, since it makes the relationship based exclusively on sexual desire at all times.
Finally and above all, chemsex is the ideal setting for the transmission of sexual diseases such as hepatitis C or AIDS , since the participating members ensure that the exchange of partners is up to 6 in one night and the protective measures are the tonic.
How can chemsex be prevented?
Unfortunately, medical experts from centres as important as the ClÃnic in Barcelona or the Hospital Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid assure us of the difficulty of controlling the phenomenon due to its nature and the way in which it is called upon.
Participants meet via mobile device applications or in private groups on social networks such as Facebook or Telegram. In addition, the location of these parties are not usually public, and they meet in private homes or private clubs, which makes it difficult to follow them.
Nevertheless, and thanks to the dissemination and denunciation of the media, the competent authorities have launched plans to disseminate the dangers that chemsex entails , with educational awareness programmes, documentaries that speak of this trend or to organise aid programmes for those participants who have suffered its consequences.