Crystal Meth

It carries a high risk of psychological dependence. There are several ways to take crystal meth, which will determine the effect that you experience from it and how quickly you get high.

• Smoking: Through a pipe in a crystalline form. This gives a quick euphoric rush but carries a high risk of psychological and physical dependence. 
• Snorting as powder: This can cause a quick reaction creating a high in about 15 mins with intense feelings of euphoria. This carries a risk of psychological and physical dependence and can cause damage to your face and nostrils.
• Slamming: This is where crystal meth is dissolved into a liquid then injected into your veins. This way of taking crystal meth carries a high risk of psychological and physical dependence and, can result in serious complications, such as collapsed veins and infections, especially if you are reusing injecting equipment. 
• Booty Bumping: Also known as hooping, where the drug enters your body through the lining of your ass. This can be done in liquid form by using a syringe or using a powder that is rubbed onto the lining of your ass via your finger. This is also a high-risk route for the transmission of STIs because the chemicals increase the likelihood of abrasions and condom failure. As with other ways of taking crystal meth, this also carries a risk of psychological and physical dependence on the substance. 

Crystal meth is used in Chemsex as it can make you feel very aroused, disinhibited and alert. A lot of men can go for hours without sleep or feeling like they need to eat. In addition, some may also become paranoid and others may become aggressive.

A lot of men feel that crystal meth makes you feel ‘super horny’ by causing extreme arousal. They also feel that crystal meth can make you feel more attractive and confident, especially when coming onto other guys. Other effects of crystal meth and sex include:

• Reduced inhibitions increasing the likelihood of risk-taking.
• Preventing the ability to cum, as you can fuck for a long time without ejaculation.
• Development of ‘crystal dick’,where your cock is not hard enough to have sex or masturbate but you are still horny.
• Heightened intensity of the sex you have and an increase in your sex drive.
• Interest in having different sex (hypersexuality) from what you would do when not using any substances (sober).
• Interest in doing things that are more dangerous than you would do sober. 
• Lengthy sex sessions due to being able to ‘keep going’ which can result in condom failure or trauma to your cock or ass. This trauma is often not realised at the time of sex.
• Many guys describe sex while on crystal meth as being disconnected, unreal or cold.

The one thing that is often reported by guys who have sex while on crystal meth is that if they do cum it is ‘mind-blowing’.

In reality, crystal meth has a very high risk of psychological and physical dependence, that for many men has led to devastating effects on their lives causing physical and mental health issues. Some ultimately become isolated from friends and family. In addition, using crystal meth can also result in:

• Trouble with the law as it is Class A drug. If caught with crystal meth for self-use or intending to supply, you could go to jail or receive an unlimited fine.
• You can become dependent on using it and it can start to control your life. You might continually look to crystal meth as a way to enjoy sex and to enjoy life, creating an unhealthy relationship between you and your use of the substance. Through repeated use, your tolerance to crystal meth can increase meaning more crystal meth is needed to get the same high.
• Other unintended consequences of long term crystal meth use can include losing family, friends, jobs and money problems through the cost of purchasing the substance.
• Long term use can negatively impact on your mental health, which may result in psychosis and paranoia. 
• Crystal meth can raise your blood pressure and put you at risk of a heart attack and/or stroke.
• The drug is difficult to quit without making lifestyle changes, especially when it's used in the context of sex.
• Overdoses can result in organ damage and/or coma, which can lead to death.
• Some evidence also indicates that overdose can result in brain damage.
• Crystal meth can keep you going longer without food which can weaken the immune system.
• Mixing crystal meth with cocaine, Viagra, MDMA or poppers can cause cardiac issues, including heart attacks and strokes.
• The drug can exacerbate the complications of antidepressants causing high blood pressure or serotonin syndrome.
• Injecting crystal meth can cause collapsed veins, abscesses, sepsis, and cardiac infections.

Crystal meth can affect your mental health, like using any other drug (including alcohol). When using crystal meth, there is a risk that it may cause psychosis in some. Psychosis is a mental state where you can lose touch with reality.  Additionally, it can also exacerbate other mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Associated issues like isolation and loneliness are also common, especially if crystal meth has impacted on your social life and employment. 

Using crystal meth and taking HIV drugs (including PrEP) can have serious consequences. For example, some HIV drugs can lead to fatal levels of crystal meth being stored in your body. This happens because HIV drugs can slow down your metabolism, making it possible to for you to unintentionally overdose.

Furthermore, because crystal meth causes you to lose time, you may forget to take your HIV medication on time, as prescribed.