Campaigns and Hubs Legacy campaigns Looking after yourself | Chemsex Using GHB/GBL | Safer chems GHB and GBL are drugs sometimes used during chemsex because they can increase confidence, reduce inhibitions, increase pleasure, and help some people feel more connected or relaxed during sex. People often refer to both drugs as “G”. GBL turns into GHB in the body, but it is usually stronger, comes on faster, and can be easier to accidentally overdose on. Some people enjoy using G occasionally and feel in control of their use. For others, G can quickly become risky because the difference between an intended dose and an overdose can be small. This guide is to help you stay safer and showing you how to get help if you need it. What does GHB/GBL feel like? The effects of it can change depending on the dose, whether you’ve eaten, your body size, tolerance, and whether you’ve mixed it with other drugs or alcohol. People may experience good and bad side-effects of G: Feeling relaxed or very happy Increased confidence Increased sexual pleasure Increased horniness Feeling more affectionate or connected Reduced inhibitions Sleepiness or drowsiness Dizziness or loss of balance Memory gaps or confusion At higher doses, G can cause unconsciousness, vomiting, seizures, slowed breathing, coma, or even death. If you see someone lose consciousness, call 999. Step 1: know what you’re taking GHB and GBL are often sold as clear liquids. The strength can vary a lot, especially if you buy it illegally or you’re sharing other people’s and you don’t know where they got it. This means one person’s “normal dose” may be far too much for someone else. To stay safer, think about: Never assume the strength is the same as last time Never assume someone else’s dose is safe for you If you’re using a new batch, start the dose lower than usual Label bottles clearly and keep them away from water bottles or drinks Step 2: measure your dose carefully Because G is a liquid, guessing by eye can be dangerous. Always use a measuring syringe or pipette marked in ml. Don’t use bottle caps, spoons, or random containers. To stay safer, think about: Measuring carefully every time Start the dose low, especially with a new batch Wait before redosing (see below) Keep track of what you’ve taken Many overdoses happen because people forget they already dosed or take more before the first dose has fully kicked in. Step 3: time your doses G can take time to hit and it might take a while to come up, which is why taking more too soon is one of the biggest risks of overdose. To stay safer, think about: Waiting at least 2 hours before considering taking more Setting a timer on your phone for the next dose Writing down/recording the time you took it and amount you took Ask a friend to help keep track/keep track of each other as well as yourself If you’re unsure whether you took some already, don’t take more. Step 4: don’t mix G with certain drugs Mixing G with other drugs, especially if they are depressants, increases your overdose risk. To stay safer, avoid mixing G with: Alcohol Ketamine Benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, diazepam etc) Sleeping tablets Opioids (heroin, morphine, oxycodone, codeine etc) Using these drugs with G can slow your breathing and cause unconsciousness very quickly. Stimulants such as meth or mephedrone can also mask how high you are, which may lead people to take too much G. Step 5: set boundaries before using G When you’re taking G, it can be harder to fully consent or recognise your limits once you’re high. That’s why going in with a plan and setting personal boundaries can help. To stay safer, think about: Who are you meeting? What sex are you comfortable with having? What are your hard limits? Are condoms, PrEP or DoxyPEP part of your plan? Who can you contact if something goes wrong? What time do you want to leave or stop? It can help to share boundaries with any partners before dosing. Looking out for each other is a great way to stay safer. Step 6: look after yourself while using G It might seem simple, but looking after yourself in small ways can really help. To stay safer, think about: Sipping water regularly, but don’t over-drink Eat beforehand - G can hurt your throat so after a session it can be harder to eat Take breaks Charge your phone Keep your belongings safe Avoid using alone if possible Stay around people you trust What if someone takes too much G? Taking too much G can lead to an emergency situation. Look out for: Difficulty in waking up Unconsciousness Vomiting while asleep or passed out Slow, shallow or irregular breathing Blue lips or skin Seizure-like movements Confusion or collapse If you spot any of this you should: Call 999 immediately Put them in the recovery position [LINK] Keep their airway clear Stay with them Tell paramedics what was taken if you know Do not give more drugs or alcohol Do not leave them alone to “sleep it off” Call 999 in an emergency. Ambulance staff are there to help keep people safe without judgement. Never hesitate to call emergency services. Finding support If chemsex is starting to affect your wellbeing, relationships, sex life, finances or mental health, support is available. The Chemsex Support Hub offers non-judgemental information and help for LGBTQ+ people around chemsex, sexual health and wellbeing. [LINK] Manage Cookie Preferences