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Safer Chemsex

Page last reviewed 1.10.2026

Chemsex is never completely risk-free, but harm reduction methods can make it significantly safer and even more enjoyable. Harm reduction is a practical approach to minimising the harms of chemsex and substance use.

The idea behind harm reduction is to improve personal quality of life and life management and find ways to engage in safer chemsex and substance use, without judgment or demands to stop using. If the personal goal is to reduce or quit using substances, harm reduction can also be helpful for that.

Tips on safer chemsex

Before chemsex
During chemsex
After chemsex
Checklist for organizing safer chemsex parties

Before chemsex

  • Maintaining meaningful activities, relationships, and sources of support outside of chemsex and casual sex is an important part of protecting yourself from the negative effects of chemsex.
  • Take some time to plan your upcoming chemsex session. Where and with whom will the session take place? How long will it last? What do you wish for and hope to get from this particular session? What are your boundaries? In what ways will you take care of yourself during and after the session? Does this require making any purchases in advance?
  • Good nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate rest support overall wellbeing and can help reduce the harmful effects of chemsex, such as exhaustion and dehydration.
  • If you plan to take substances orally, eating a fatty meal before chemsex can reduce the harmful effects of orally taken substances.
  • For some people, dating apps can feel addictive, and combining them with chemsex may involve additional risks. Dating apps can lower the threshold for engaging in chemsex more frequently or with unfamiliar partners. It’s important to be aware of and maintain your personal boundaries when using dating apps.
  • It is a good idea to think about the safety of your upcoming session in advance, while sober. Choosing a safe environment, being with trusted people, and the presence of friends can help increase safety. If you are attending alone, consider sharing your location with people you trust.
  • Substances should only be used when you are feeling well, as emotional difficulties or mental health symptoms can increase the risk of harm and dependence. If you feel that you are experiencing mental health challenges, it is important to seek support from healthcare professionals or peer-support services rather than relying on substances for relief.
  • If you are on any medication, it is advisable to discuss interactions openly with a trusted healthcare professional, if possible. You can also seek information from friends or reliable online sources, such as hiv-druginteractions.org.
  • In chemsex related to sex work, it is important to set clear boundaries, agree on payment in advance, and stay within the agreed arrangements.
  • It’s a good idea to think in advance about which substances you intend and don’t intend to use, in which methods of use, how much you plan to use, and over what period of time.
  • Although the origin and composition of substances are rarely certain, it is best to buy substances from a person you consider trustworthy. Buying substances through dating apps, for example, carries additional risks.
  • Being able to test a substance before use can make its use safer. A traditional harm-reduction practice is to take a very small test dose in the company of others before using the substance as intended.
  • Reagent tests and test strips are available online and can be used to try to determine how much of a sample consists of the desired substance or whether it contains a potentially dangerous substance you want to avoid. However, these tests do not guarantee the purity or safety of a substance.
  • It is important to gather information in advance about the substances you intend to use, their effects, interactions with other substances, and ways to reduce the potential harms associated with these substances. You can find information about substances and their effects, for example, on our Chemsex Substances page. You can also look up information about drug interactions using the combo tools available through, for example, the Budd app or the TripSit website. You can also come and talk to us at Hivpoint’s counselling.
  • Clean and single-use equipment is very important for preventing infections. All necessary equipment, such as straws, pipes, sterile needles and syringes, saline solution, mixing equipment, filters, cups etc., should be purchased in advance and checked before use.
  • Before chemsex, take some time to consider what kind of sex you want and what your boundaries are for this particular session.
  • Some of the active ingredients in HIV medications, such as cobicistat, ritonavir, and efavirenz, can increase the risk of overdose of psychoactive substances by slowing their metabolism. Combining these with substances used in chemsex requires special caution and, if possible, consultation with an HIV doctor. You can also find information about interactions between HIV medications and other substances on the HIV Drug Interactions website.
  • If you regularly engage in chemsex, it is important to take care of your own and your partners’ sexual health and get tested for sexually transmitted infections every three months. You can find more information on HIV here and other STIs here. You’re also warmly welcome to Hivpoint’s HIV and STI testing services in Helsinki! Read more and book a time from here.
  • It is recommended to purchase your own condoms and lubricants in advance. Bring plenty of your personal lube with you! For more information on condoms, lubes, and oral dams, check out this page.
  • If you’re HIV-negative and not yet on PrEP treatment, it’s good to consider starting PrEP to prevent HIV. In public healthcare, PrEP is free of charge. For more information on PrEP and starting it, check out our PrEP pages.
  • Men who have sex with men, as well as people who use drugs intravenously, are both recommended to get the hepatitis A and B vaccine. For these groups of people, the vaccine is part of the national vaccination program and is free of charge. You can read more about the vaccine here.
  • It is important to discuss your usual habits, substance use, sexual preferences, and personal boundaries before engaging in chemsex. Clear communication can help prevent situations that may be unpleasant or unsafe. Sometimes, especially in the context of casual sexual encounters, discussing these topics may feel uncomfortable. However, open communication supports mutual care, helps establish boundaries and expectations, and can strengthen trust between the partners involved. When approached playfully, respectfully, and sensitively, these conversations can even become a part of foreplay. The goal of chemsex is for everyone to enjoy themselves, so communication is in everyone’s interest.
  • If you’re planning on fisting others, trim your nails in advance. Rings, necklaces, and wristwatches are should also be removed beforehand.

During chemsex

  • Setting a time limit for chemsex can help prevent exhaustion and neglect of important responsibilities and daily activities. Adhering to your planned time limit allows time for recovery and can help prevent chemsex from negatively affecting other areas of your life.
  • When in an unfamiliar place, keep your personal belongings secure and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or valuables. This can help reduce the risk of theft or loss, as well as impulsive spending, such as purchasing additional substances while under the influence of substances.
  • During longer sessions, taking breaks, eating nutritious snacks, staying adequately hydrated, and maintaining personal hygiene can help support well-being and reduce the risk of harm. Breaks also provide an opportunity to connect with others, as chemsex is often more about social and emotional connection than just sex.
  • You should not drive under the influence of substances. Psychostimulants can sharpen the senses but impair judgment and increase the risk of accidents.
  • It is advisable to keep track of substance use by recording used drugs, their doses, times, and methods of use. This can increase safety, support more informed decision-making, and provide useful information in the event of an overdose or other emergency. You can keep track of doses and how you’re feeling with the Budd app, for example.
  • Using multiple substances at the same time can increase the risk of unpredictable harms. From a harm-reduction perspective, using only one substance at a time is safer. Unknown or unfamiliar substances should not be used without sufficient information about their effects and risks, particularly in unfamiliar environments.
  • It is important to clearly label and identify your own substances and equipment so that you don’t mistake them for other substances or other peoples’ equipment.
  • Using clean equipment is essential for reducing the risk of injuries and infections associated with drug use.
  • Snorting straws should be clean and replaced frequently with new ones. Using rolled-up banknotes for snorting is not recommended as they are not hygienic. A dirty banknote, combined with minor bleeding caused by snorting may increase the risk of infections.
  • Before use, check that your glass pipe is intact and able to withstand the required heat. If a pipe has cracks, it is more likely to break when exposed to heat, and the broken pieces can cause injuries. If a glass pipe becomes too hot, it can cause burns to the lips or other parts of the body, for example if a hot pipe is placed in a pocket before it has cooled down. 
  • Using chems by injecting (slamming) can seem tempting due to its rapid and strong effect. However, injecting carries serious risks, such as the development of dependence, overdose, skin infections, blood poisoning, and infectious diseases. These harms can be reduced by primarily choosing another method of use.
  • Erectile dysfunction medications are used in chemsex to enhance and maintain erections. Frequent use of erectile dysfunction medications can cause dependence and dangerous interactions with other substances or prescription drugs. Use low doses and follow instructions. 
  • The safety of injecting is increased by always using sterile, single-use injecting equipment, washing hands, and disinfecting the injection site. Clean equipment can be purchased from some pharmacies or obtained anonymously and free of charge from a local health counselling point, where you can also get guidance on safer injecting.
  • Solid substances should be ground into as fine a powder as possible. You can use, for example, two spoons or a pill crusher.
  • Substances intended for injection should be fully dissolved. It’s best to use sterile saline solution or, alternatively, boiled and cooled water to dissolve the substance. It’s advisable to mix the substance only with clean equipment.
  • When drawing the substance into a syringe, it is good to use a filter designed for this purpose. If possible, change the filter to a new, clean one with every dose. Filtering the substance does not affect the active ingredients but only removes some of the binders and impurities in the substance. Filtering the substance several times further reduces harms.
  • Substances can be injected into a vein, muscle, or under the skin. Substances should never be injected into an artery. If this happens, bleeding is heavy and the pain is severe. In this case, remove the needle immediately, press the wound, and seek for medical attention if the bleeding does not stop within five minutes.
  • Avoid injecting into the hands, below the waist, or into swollen, painful, or ulcerated areas.
  • Using the same needle multiple times can damage veins and increase the risk of circulatory, skin, and heart-related complications. If an injection is unsuccessful, use a new sterile needle, and choose a different injection site, if possible.
  • Place used injecting equipment in a puncture-resistant, tightly closed container, such as an empty plastic bottle or glass jar.
  • Sharing equipment carries the risk of HIV and hepatitis B and C infection. It’s a good idea to label equipment clearly with coloured stickers and name tags so that everyone’s own equipment can be identified.
  • Condoms effectively protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
  • Lubricant can increase comfort and pleasure while helping to prevent mucosal irritation, damage and injury. When engaging in anal intercourse, it is important to use plenty of lubricant. Bringing your own lubricant can increase safety, as you know its contents and can be confident that nothing has been added without your knowledge. Saliva is not recommended as a lubricant because it dries quickly and can transmit STIs. Many substances commonly used in chemsex can also reduce saliva production.
  • It is recommended to use your own sex toys or to clean the toys thoroughly with warm water and soap or a cleaner designed for cleaning sex toys before they are used by other participants.
  • PrEP, HIV medication, or other regular medication should be taken on time, even during chemsex. You can make it easier to remember your meds, for example, by setting a reminder on your phone.
  • Mutual care is a central part of chemsex and can enhance both safety and enjoyment. When at least one trusted person you know is present during a session, you can keep an eye on each other and offer help quickly if any problems arise.
  • If you offer substances to someone else, it is important to be honest about the substance and its effects and never pressure anyone to use. If someone offers you substances or suggests a way of using them, you have the right to ask for more information, take time to think about it, or say no.
  • It is good to agree on a safe word with your friends and partners. The safe word works like in BDSM – its use stops all activity and indicates that attention and care are needed.
  • All sexual activity should be based on the voluntary and informed consent of everyone involved. Intoxicants can impair the ability to understand, communicate, and assess consent, increasing the risk of situations that exceed personal boundaries or the boundaries of others.
  • Consent can be verbal or expressed in another way, but it must be clear, not ambiguous. It is good to check consent during sex from time to time.
  • Do not engage or initiate any type of sexual activity with someone if they cannot clearly express their consent. For example, a person in a G- or K-hole state can’t consciously participate in sex.
  • Mutual care in chemsex settings involves looking after the well-being of friends and sexual partners and paying attention to whether everyone is safe, comfortable, and able to give informed consent. This becomes especially important when someone is heavily intoxicated or otherwise not feeling well and is not able give their consent anymore. Taking care is sexy: trust, care, and respect can lead to better sex, even when it’s rougher.

After chemsex

  • During the comedown, rest, adequate sleep, nutritious food, hydration, and, if needed, appropriate supplements can support recovery. It is important to allow sufficient time for both physical and mental recovery so that chemsex does not begin to negatively affect other areas of life or the things that matter to you.
  • During the comedown, psychological symptoms such as sadness, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, or panic states may occur. It can already help to recognise these as after-effects caused by substances in the brain’s neurotransmitters. You can try to alleviate your mind, for example, by doing something calming that you enjoy, staying in contact people you consider as important and/or safe, or talking to someone about how you feel.
  • If a chemsex session did not go as hoped, feelings of shame or guilt may arise. It can be helpful to approach these feelings with self-compassion rather than self-blame. Talking about your experiences and feelings with trusted people may also provide support and perspective. If something or an experience from a chemsex session weighs on your mind, you can come to talk about it in Hivpoint’s counselling.
  • If you feel that your boundaries have been violated, or that you have violated your own or someone else’s boundaries, it is important not to deal with a difficult experience alone. If your boundaries have been violated in a sexual situation, you can find guidance on what to do on our Chemsex and First Aid page. In any situation where boundaries have been violated, you are welcome to talk confidentially at Hivpoint’s counselling service. You can also seek support from crisis and mental health services in your area or, for example, from Mieli ry’s crisis centres or remote counselling service. If you have experienced violence, we also recommend reporting it to the police.
  • Afterward, it is helpful to reflect on whether your planned limits for which substances you intended to use, how much, and for how long were followed. If not, consider why this happened and what might help you stick to the plan next time. Repeated deviation from planned limits can be a sign of increasing tolerance, reduced control, or developing dependence.
  • If you experience health problems caused by substance use or chemsex, it is important to seek medical care so that your symptoms do not persist or become more severe. It may also be worth considering whether you should take a break from a particular substance, method of use, heavy use, or substance use altogether.
  • If you have injected drugs and the injection site does not heal properly or shows signs of infection or other complications, it’s really important to seek for medical attention. You can find more information on skin infections on our Chemsex and First Aid site.
  • Used equipment, such as needles, should be stored safely and disposed of appropriately. You can take used needles or syringes to a pharmacy or to a health counselling point in your area. At a health counselling point, you can also get new, clean equipment anonymously and free of charge.
  • If you have not protected yourself against HIV during sex by using a condom or PrEP, you may want to consider post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as soon as the session ends.
  • There is some evidence that taking an antibiotic called doxycycline after sex can help prevent chlamydia and syphilis. There are currently no national guidelines in Finland on the use of doxyPEP, but doxyPEP may be considered as post-exposure prevention for chlamydia and syphilis.
  • It is good to be aware of the incubation periods of sexually transmitted infections and to get tested fo STIs regularly. Read more about sexually transmitted infections and their testing here. Would it be a good time to visit Hivpoint’s STI testing service?
  • If possible, it may be a good idea to stay in contact with partners after the session. Talking about what was enjoyable, what could be improved, what did not go as planned, and what you may need or want from others can provide valuable mutual support and care. Even during difficult comedown symptoms, these conversations can offer much needed support and help ease the situation.
  • During the comedown, many realise afterward that they have experienced or done something they would not have consented to while sober. This can cause shame, guilt, and sometimes even trauma. Do not stay alone with your experiences; discuss them with trusted people. You can always come talk to us confidentially in Hivpoint’s counselling.

Checklist for organizing safer chemsex parties

  • If possible, it is advisable to agree in advance on the purpose of different areas within the space. For example, separate areas can be designated for sexual activity, the safe and hygienic use and storage of substances, taking breaks, eating and drinking, and quiet rest or time alone when needed.
  • If a participant becomes unwell, they should not be left alone. Do not hesitate to call for help from the emergency centre at 112 if necessary. Ensure that the person is not alone even while waiting for healthcare assistance. For more guidance on first aid situations, check out our Chemsex and First Aid page.
  • Remind participants that all sexual activity requires clear, informed consent from all partners.
  • Provide individually packaged condoms, lubricants, and latex gloves. Encourage guests to use either individually packaged or their own, labelled lubricants.
  • If possible, reserve a space where people can store their own sex toys separately from others’ toys. For toys that cannot be protected with a condom, encourage people to primarily use their personal toys.
  • If there are shared sex toys at the party, store them separately on a clean surface. Encourage participants to use condoms on shared dildos and anal plugs and to clean the sex toy thoroughly or change the condom before using it on a new partner. Advice participants to clean toys after use. Provide mild soap or cleaning products designed for sex toys.
  • For sex, it may be good to provide either paper, disposable pads, or latex or vinyl sheets that are easy to clean after use.
  • Place cleaning and disinfecting products in a visible and easily accessible location so that surfaces can be cleaned after sexual activity. Encourage participants to clean any equipment or furniture they use, such as swings, massage tables, or chains. Bodily fluids and other visible residues should be removed first, followed by disinfection of the surface.
  • Provide hand or paper towels that can be used to clean and dry both surfaces and skin. Disposable cleaning wipes can also be a good idea.
  • Ensure that there is a trash can available and a designated container for collecting needles. Needles can also be collected in bottles or glass jars. When cleaning, handling trash, and disposing of equipment, it’s recommended to use disposable gloves, which should be available. If you are or someone else is accidentally injured by a needle used by someone else, you can find instructions on our Chemsex and First Aid page.
  • If possible, ensure that the space is well ventilated to prevent overheating, or provide access to outdoor areas where people can cool down. Some substances can increase body temperature and, when combined with physical exertion during sex, may lead to overheating.
  • For first aid instructions on overheating or injuries during sex, check out the Chemsex and First Aid page.
  • Consider where participants can store their own substances and equipment, clearly labelled and separate from other people’s substances and equipment, so that they don’t get mixed up.
  • Encourage participants to use their own substances. If a participant offers substances to another, they should provide adequate, honest information about the substance and its effects. The receiver should be aware of what substances they are using and how they are dosed. Start with only a low dose first.
  • Encourage participants to use only their own, clean equipment.
  • If possible, provide sterile, single-use equipment such as needles, syringes, filters, tourniquets, disinfecting and drying wipes, dosing cups, pipes, and straws. Provide also clean, labelable cups for mixing substances into drinks.
  • Encourage participants to keep track of the substances they use, their doses, methods of use, and times. You can place pens and paper on display for tracking doses, or recommend to use the Budd app designed for chemsex. Tracking doses can reduce the risk of overdoses and incompatible substance combinations.
  • Encourage participants to look out for each other, keep an eye on how others are doing, help anyone who is feeling unwell, and call for help at 112 without hesitation when needed. Never leave someone who is feeling unwell and needs help alone.
  • Maintain the cleanliness of the surfaces in the space by placing disinfectants and cleaning paper on display.
  • Ensure that there is a trash can available and a designated container for collecting needles. Needles can also be collected in bottles or glass jars. When cleaning, handling trash, and disposing of equipment, it’s recommended to use disposable gloves, which should be available. If you are or someone else is accidentally injured by a needle used by someone else, you can find instructions on our Chemsex and First Aid page.
  • Gloves can also be used when preparing substances to increase hygiene.
  • Ensure that participants can keep their own drinks and possible snacks cool in the space. You can also provide participants with cold water, juice, or sports drink bottles and a small snack.
  • Encourage participants to drink only from their own, clearly labelled bottles and cups. This helps ensure that no one drinks from someone else’s cup or bottle that could contain unknown substances.
  • Participants should have the opportunity to take a shower. Taking a shower between sessions is good, and it can also prevent the body from overheating. You can instruct participants to bring their own towel or provide them with clean towels. Towels should not be shared with others.
  • Maintain the cleanliness of toilets and washing facilities, including showerheads and faucets. Encourage participants to leave bathroom doors unlocked, so that no one is accidentally left alone in a locked bathroom while unwell.
  • Instruct participants to preferably bring their own showerheads for anal cleansing (douching). If the same showerhead is used by multiple people, the hose should also be cleaned and disinfected between users.
  • It would be good for the party space to also have an area where one can withdraw to calm down and rest. If possible, this area can be shielded from sexual activity and loud noises.
  • People can be directed to this area if they seem scared, agitated, restless, experience unpleasant physical or psychological symptoms, or otherwise need monitoring. Remember that a person in a poor condition should never be left alone.

Want to learn more?

What is Chemsex?
Chemsex Substances (Chems)
Chemsex and First Aid
Downsides of Chemsex
Support and Information on Chemsex
Get back to Chemsex main page