Meth, Yaba, Ice — these are top drugs fuelling ‘chemsex', finds AIIMS Delhi survey

Indian Express

2 days ago

Meth, Yaba, or Ice — all different forms of methamphetamine — are the most commonly used drugs during chemsex, a practice involving sexual activity under the influence of stimulants. This was revealed in a recent survey conducted by doctors at AIIMS Delhi.
Yaba is a combination of methamphetamine and caffeine, while Ice is the crystal form of meth. Doctors said sexual activities performed under the influence of these stimulants have led to more HIV positive cases and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Chemsex has been studied in several parts of the world, but has been an under-studied area in India.
According to Dr Siddharth Sarkar, Additional Professor, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, anecdotally, use of substances in the context of sexual encounters has been increasing in India, especially 'among men having sex with men'. Chemsex has also been associated with a greater number of sexual partners and less frequent use of condoms.
The survey noted that use of 'chems' like methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, etc., has been associated with improved mood, increased energy, and lack of fatigue, which leads to enhanced sexual experiences. Additionally, they may result in feelings of enhanced connection, cause disinhibition, and result in relaxation of sphincters.
The online survey was conducted by doctors from the AIIMS psychiatry department last year.
Here's what it found
-It said that among 136 recruited participants (75.7% males, 44.1% of whom self-identified as homosexual), chemsex was practised by 46 participants (33.8% of the sample).
-'Meth', 'Yaba', or 'Ice' were the commonest substances reported to be used, followed by MDMA, poppers, and cocaine.
-Twenty-one individuals (i.e., 45.7% of the participants having chemsex) were also involved in slamsex, a specific form of chemsex that involves taking drugs via IV injection, either immediately before or while having sex. Out of these, seven were tested and were also found to be HIV positive.
-About two-thirds of those who had chemsex had reported that their partners also used drugs or substances.
While the research did not have direct, immediate benefits to the people surveyed, Dr Sarkar said the information gathered is helpful in better understanding chemsex.
Dr Sarkar, who conducted the survey, said the most common motivation was to improve sexual pleasure, but this also resulted in several mental health issues. 'Adverse experiences were also reported, with gaps in memory and feelings of fear or anxiety being the commonest,' he said.
Dr Sarkar said chemsex was more common in individuals who had greater numbers of partners, had indulged in group sex, had tested HIV positive, had sexually transmitted infections, or had taken Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a medication that can be taken to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV by an individual who engages in risky practices.
He said this highlights the pattern of chemsex in the Indian population. 'With the limited sampling, the study suggests that risk mitigation strategies may be contemplated by individuals who indulge in the use of drugs (especially injection drug use) to facilitate sexual intercourse,' he said.
Dr Sarkar said that while the sample size was low, and the identity of the respondents was kept anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, there have been instances where patients have landed in the emergency department due to excessive usage of the drugs for chemsex.
How was the survey carried out?
The study was an open online cross-sectional observational survey initiated from Delhi. Participants were Indian citizens, aged 18 years and above, willing to provide online informed consent. Those who were unwilling to provide informed consent were excluded.
The survey was open from May 7 to July 25, 2024. The link to the questionnaire was shared through WhatsApp, Instagram, and Grindr. The initial link was sent to four contacts of the investigators.
Data collection was conducted through a questionnaire presented through Google Forms. The form was titled 'An online study to understand chemsex in India', which was followed by a brief description of the study and the investigators, with a contact email address. The participants were asked two initial questions about providing consent and being an Indian citizen.
Some of the questions asked were about sexual orientation, number of sexual partners, sex under the influence of alcohol or substance, protection used during sex, and the reasons for taking drugs during sex.
Snowball sampling was used to collect data.
The online mode was chosen due to the potential reach and confidential nature of the questions. No incentives were offered to the participants for taking the survey.
According to Dr Vinod Raina, Sexologist and Male Infertility Specialist & HIV Specialist practising in Delhi, the use of drugs before engaging in sexual activity has increased in the last 10 years.
'It is a common practice in other parts of the world. Chemsex is not new, but we have been seeing more sexually transmitted infections and HIV cases due to cases of chemsex in India. In my practice, I keep seeing such cases in Delhi,' he said.
Dr Raina said the most common drug for chemsex is MDMA, which is available easily at a low cost and instantly increases the energy in a person to engage in sexual activity for a longer period. He said it also increases sexual desire.
'These drugs are creating havoc and have become a big problem, leading to HIV and syphilis because of prolonged unprotected sex,' he said.
Dr Raina said his patients in Delhi have been getting the infection from 'rave parties'. 'I often get patients for PrEP treatment who tell me how they went to a rave party and do not remember the number of sexual partners they had,' he said.