Sex involving Tina often involves other drugs, too.
These may be uppers, downers or hallucinogens.
Lots of men also take Tina with erectile-dysfunction drugs such as Viagra or Kamara, or sometimes Androskat (see Chapter: SLEAZEWITHOUTCONSEQUENCES).
Men often combine drugs in order to make sex more enjoyable or to make sex practices like fisting easier.
They might use a drug to minimise the negative effects of another.
Taking a combination of drugs isn’t always intentional: men often just take whatever’s at hand or is offered.
The interaction of different drugs can produce completely new and unintended reactions.
❗ Tips & Tricks - When combining drugs, please note the following:
If trying a drug for the first time, it is better to take this on its own.
Tell the others which combination of drugs you’re taking, in case something goes wrong.
Combining downers increases the risk of a coma and respiratory failure.
Combining uppers increases the risk of heart problems, cardiovascular problems and overheating, and can induce paranoia, psychosis and aggression.
Little is known about the new designer drugs, thus their interaction with other drugs may also produce unintended reactions.
Some HIV and hepatitis C medications amplify the effect of Tina, ecstasy, MDMA and ketamine.
For more information on HIV medication and drug use, visit hiv-druginteractions.org
Summary of chems, street names, effects and usage methods
3-MMC
Street name:3-MMC Background information: Closely related to mephedrone, but possibly less potent and therefore of less interest to users. According to some users, it generates lowers feelings of euphoria and has a shorter-lasting effect than 4-MEC or mephedrone, and coming down off it is less debilitating. New on the market, and li le is known about it. Effect: Energising, entactogen-like effects, euphoric Routes of administration: Nasal, rectal, intravenous
4-MEC
Street name:4-MEC, NRG Background information: Derivative of cathinone (the active ingredient in khat). There is hardly any information available to users. O en slammed at short intervals to maintain and/or enhance the euphoric effect. Effect: Energising, entactogen-like effects, euphoric Routes of administration: Oral, nasal, rectal, intravenous
4-Fluoroamphetamine (4-FA)
Street name: 4-Fluoro, 4-FMP, 4, 4-flava, 4-F Background information: Amphetamine-derived substance whose effects lie somewhere between those of ecstasy and speed. Has become relative popular in a short space of time, including within the party scene. Appears to be here to stay. Effect: Energising, entactogen-like effects, euphoric Routes of administration: Oral, nasal, rectal, intravenous
Cocaine
Street name: Coke, Charlie, Blow, Snow, White Background information: Stimulant with a long history and a relatively short-lived effect. Local anaesthetic. Active ingredient derived from the South American coca plant. The smokable variant is called crack, crack cocaine or base coke. Effect: Energising, euphoric Routes of administration: Nasal, smoking, rectal, intravenous
Crystal meth (methamphetamine)
Street name: Meth, Crystal, T, Tina, Ice, Yaba, Shabu, Shisha Background information: Amphetamine-like stimulant, generates euphoria and its effect lasts longer than speed. Used by soldiers during WWII. Popular in “gay capitals” all over the world, and on the rise within the Dutch chemsex scene. Effect: Energising, aphrodisiac, euphoric Routes of administration: Nasal, oral, rectal, smoking, intravenous
Ketamine
Street name: Keta, Ket, K, Special K, Vitamin K Background information: Dissociative anaesthetic. Used as medication. Ketamine available on the black market o en comes from India or China. Popular in the gay scene for over ten years. Regular use creates a high probability of heavy psychological dependence. Effect: Dissociative, aphrodisiac, psychedelic Routes of administration: Nasal, intravenous, intramuscular, rectal
GHB/GBL
Street name: G, Liquid ecstasy, Auntie G Background information: Endogenous substance. Used to treat narcolepsy. Difficult to gauge correct dosage. Use can easily result in short-term coma or in more extreme cases death. Effect: Sedative, euphoria, aphrodisiac, entactogen-like effects Routes of administration: Oral, rectal, intravenous (rare)
Mephedrone (4-MMC)
Street name: M-Cat, Drone, Meow meow, Miaow, Plant food Background information: Cathinone-derivative. Achieved rapid popularity (especially in England); appears to be on its way out. Use tends to compel redosing. Its effect, for some, is similar to that of cocaine. Effect: Energising, euphoric, entactogen-like effects, aphrodisiac Routes of administration: Nasal, oral, anal, intravenous
Methoxetamine (MXE)
Street name:MXE, Mexxy, Roflocptr Background information: Very powerful drug, similar to ketamine. Long-lasting effect. After-effects (drowsiness, vagueness) noticeable for up to 24 hours. Of little effect when taken orally. Effect: Dissociative, psychedelic, aphrodisiac Routes of administration: Sublingual/buccal (‘under tongue’- orally limited effect), nasal, rectal, intramuscular, intravenous
Ecstasy/MDMA
Street name: M, MDMA, Molly, X, Sweet, Pill, Candy Background information: Used recreationally since the 80s. The most popular party drug for years. Ecstasy pills are cheap in the Netherlands, and fairly pure. Most problems come about as a result of high-dosage pills rather than on account of contamination (with PMMA, PMA and mCPP) Effect: Entactogen-like effects, euphoric, aphrodisiac Routes of administration: Oral, nasal (sometimes), intravenous (rare)
GHB and GBL (G, Liquid Ecstasy)
GHB and GBL are both referred to as G.
They produce similar effects, but require different doses. GBL must be taken in much lower doses than GHB.
Therefore, make sure you know which you are taking!
The right dose can make you feel euphoric, relaxed, talkative and horny.
But gauging the correct dose is a delicate art.
One millilitre too much will knock you out (unconscious).
This can last several minutes to several hours.
In severe cases, an overdose can stop your breathing.
Daily use soon results in physical dependence.
Small amounts of GHB exist naturally in the body.
But GHB can also be made from the corrosive substance GBL (wheel cleaner), caustic soda (drain cleaner) and distilled water. GHB is a viscous, salty liquid.
You cannot tell how powerful GHB is by sight.
Its strength differs per batch.
When trying a new batch for the first time, make sure you take a lower dose than you normally would.
GBL is becoming increasingly common in the gay scene. GBL is highly corrosive.
Taking it undiluted can damage the oesophagus and stomach.
The body converts GBL into GHB.
You need less GBL than GHB for the same effect.
Take no more than half the size of the dose you would take of GHB.
❗ Tips & Tricks - G Tips:
Pay attention when measuring out your dose.
Use a syringe in order to gauge your dose to the millilitre.
Syringes are available at any pharmacy.
A stacking effect can occur when taking GHB or GBL.
Take a second dose before the first wears off, and you can overdose quite easily. Wait at least 2 hours before taking another dose. And then take only half the size of the previous dose.
Do not underestimate G.
One millilitre too much will knock you out.
Do not drive after taking G.
Make sure you have someone sober to keep an eye on you.
If you fall unconscious, you are at the mercy of the vagaries of your surroundings.
If you notice that someone is about to pass out, try to keep him awake with the help of painful stimuli and fresh air.
If he has already passed out, put him in the recovery position to ensure that he doesn’t choke on his own tongue or vomit. CALL 112 for an ambulance immediately. Be completely honest with the emergency services about what drugs were taken.
Uppers like Tina can prevent you from passing out as quickly.
Therefore, when taking GHB or GBLwithout Tina, take a lower dose.
Try to avoid taking G in combination with ketamine and other downers such as benzos (valium, oxazepam, temazepam), opiates (heroin, opium, morphine) or alcohol.
These substances have physically comparable effects.
Taking any of these in combination with G significantly increases the risk of an overdose.
Ketamine (K, special K, Keta)
Ketamine is an anaesthetic that produces a trance-like effect.
It separates its user’s physical and mental awareness.
It’s usually sold as a white powder, but also comes in liquid or pill form.
A low dose produces a euphoric and trippy feeling.
You experience a loss of feeling in the body and sensitivity to pain, and have less control over your motor skills.
Higher doses increase the trippy effect, the extreme point of which is known as a “K-hole”.
A K-hole is a surreal out-of-body experience.
It’s like falling into an infinite “black hole”.
It is often an unpleasant and terrifying experience.
Daily use soon results in mental dependence.
Regular use can cause kidney or bladder problems.
Symptoms of such problems include blood in your urine, a constant urge to pee, pain when you pee or frequent peeing.
Frequent (daily) use can make you incontinent.
❗ Tips & Tricks - K Tips:
Always start with a low dose.
You need relatively little keta to generate an effect.
It’s difficult to gauge the right dose with liquid ketamine.
Use a syringe with millilitre markings to gauge your dose precisely.
Ketamine limits your control of your movement
Make sure you can sit or lie down while you trip.
Ketamine makes some men nauseous.
Don’t eat anything in the three hours before taking ketamine.
If you have a bad trip and start to panic, try to remember that the effect is likely to wear off within an hour.
If you notice someone experiencing a K-hole, make the area safe and quiet, and comfort them.
Beware of taking ketamine with downers!
If you take Keta with alcohol, GHB, GBL, opiates or benzos, you increase the risk of passing out, suffering respiratory failure or falling into a coma.
Some men experience severe stomach cramps (K-cramp).
Taking deep breaths sometimes relaxes the cramps.
Mephedrone (meow meow, M-CAT, bubble, 4-MMC)
Mephedrone usually comes as a white powder made of tiny crystals, but also in capsule form.
It produces an intensely euphoric and mind-altering effect.
The effect is often described as somewhere between that of MDMA and cocaine.
It amplifies feelings of affection and openness.
It can make you feel energized, focused and extremely horny.
Many users experience a nasty dip once it wears off, and a strong craving for more.
This craving is typically stronger with high doses and long-term use.
Sleeping through the night is often a problem the first night after using.
Potential adverse effects include paranoia and body parts turning purple.
You may also experience nausea, headaches, dizziness, excessive sweating, chest pain, nosebleeds (if you snort it) and agitation.
Mephedrone often results in a raging hangover, similar to the infamous MDMA hangover.
Symptoms include lethargy, depression and irritability.
❗ Tips & Tricks - Mephedrone Tips:
Not much is known about the long-term effects and risks.
You would be a guinea pig in your own experiment.
Always start with a low dose.
Wait at least an hour and a half before taking another dose.
Try to avoid taking mephedrone in combination with other uppers, such as ecstasy, Tina, speed, cocaine or 4-MEC.
Combining uppers increases the risk of experiencing cardiovascular problems and overheating.
Mephedrone raises the blood pressure.
Do not use mephedrone if you already have heart problems.
Other designer drugs (new psychoactive substances)
Chems like 4-FA, 4-MEC, 3-MMC and MXE are becoming increasingly common in the gay scene.
Almost all of the designer drugs on the market come in powder form.
These chems can be snorted, ingested orally (wrapped in cigarette paper), booty bumped or slammed (into veins or muscles).
Little is known about their long-term effects or addictiveness.
It is very important to use precise scales to measure out your dose.
4-FA, also known as 4-FMP is an amphetamine.
It’s usually ingested orally in pill or powder form, and takes effect after about an hour.
It’s a stimulant, and its effect lies somewhere between that of ecstasy (MDMA) and speed.
Its effect lasts about 4 to 6 hours, but it may keep you awake for much longer.
High doses or taking it in combination with other uppers increases the risk of overheating, and experiencing heart problems, and the resulting dip lasts for days.
4-MEC is a variant of mephedrone, and little is known about it.
4-MEC is a euphoric stimulant.
Anecdotal reports suggest a lower level of craving and a lighter crash than with mephedrone.
But the rush and overall effect are also less intense than mephedrone’s.
3-MMC stands for 3-Methylmethcathinone.
It is a new substance about which little is known. 3-MMC is a variant of mephedrone and 4-MEC.
Its effect is of a shorter duration, and less euphoric, than that of 4-MEC.
As a result, the dip afterwards is less severe.
MXE (Methoxetamine) is a dissociative drug that separates its user’s physical and mental awareness.
It’s similar to ketamine, but much stronger.
It usually comes in powder form, but is sometimes also sold in crystal or liquid form. MXE is usually snorted or ingested orally, but some slam it into the muscles.
Be careful when taking a second dose once the first starts to wear off.
A stacking effect can occur, which can easily result in an overdose.
Taking MXE in combination with ketamine or other downers (GBL, GHB, opiates, benzos, alcohol) can result in a life-threatening overdose.
Having your drugs tested
Drugs can vary quite significantly in strength.
Taking a 100mg ecstasy pill is quite different from taking a 200 mg one. GHB batches often differ in strength, too.
It can be the difference between having hot sex and passing out.
To increase profits, drugs are often cut with other substances.
These adulterants can sometimes be lethal, or trigger unintended reactions.
In order to use more responsibly and avoid overdosing, it is highly advisable to always have your drugs tested before taking them.
Especially if you’re buying from a new dealer, or from the same dealer with a new batch.
You can have your drugs tested anonymously in the Netherlands.
The minimum for powdered drugs is 100 mg.
A whole pill is needed for ecstasy.
Results usually take a week.
Check here to find a testing facility in your neighbourhood.