Harmful combinations
Chemsex can involve using different drug combinations. When mixing drugs the risks rise. Dangerous interactions can stress the heart or lead to unconsciousness and pose fatal risks.
Overview
It can be common to mix uppers (stimulants), downers and hallucinogens. Drugs may be used to offset the negative side effects of another.
Combining drugs create unique risks, so it’s good to have an understanding of how certain drugs might react with one another.
Crystal meth with other drugs
MDMA (ecstasy), Cocaine, Poppers and Erectile Dysfunction meds
Using any of these put extra strain on your heart. If you’re also using crystal meth you’re pushing your heart even harder. Mixing these drugs can lead to sudden spikes in blood pressure, chest pains, heart attack and strokes. Mixing MDMA with mephedrone can also be dangerous.
Anti-depressants
Taking crystal meth while on some anti-depressants can make life-threatening reactions more likely, including high blood pressure and increased risk of serotonin syndrome (the levels of serotonin in your blood becoming too high). Check with your doctor before using anti-depressants with crystal meth.
G with other drugs
Depressants including alcohol and ketamine
It’s risky to mix G with other depressant drugs (downers) such as alcohol, tranquilisers and anti-histamines (used in allergy medicines). Alcohol should never be consumed before, after or when taking G. The combined action of depressants with G can dangerously slow down breathing or cause a ‘G sleep’. Also known as ‘going under‘, G sleep isn’t sleep at all but a state of unconsciousness. A fit, coma or death can possibly follow.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) meds with other drugs
Poppers
Combining ED meds with poppers lowers blood pressure. The effects of this on the heart can be potentially fatal.
Crystal meth
Mixing ED meds with crystal meth puts extra strain on the heart, which can cause sudden shifts in blood pressure leading to strokes, chest pains and heart attacks.
MDMA
ED meds combined with MDMA can strain the heart, which has been known to cause a priapism.
Other drugs
Cocaine, mephedrone and amphetamines, or drugs that contain amphetamines, such as MDMA, when taken together with ED meds put extra pressure on the heart.