Berlin’s drug landscape has grown increasingly complex over the past decade – and with it, the practice of combining drugs with sex. Known as chemsex, this involves the intentional use of certain substances, often stimulants or sedatives, in sexual settings. Chemsex usually takes place in private flats or at organised parties, often arranged via dating apps (with tags such as #chemsfriendly). While historically rooted in gay male communities, it now spans identities, orientations and social scenes. As the culture around sex and substance use continues to shift, it’s vital to create space for open, judgment-free conversations – ones where people can ask questions, share knowledge and make more informed choices.
These conversations are starting to grow. In March, Berlin hosted Germany’s first chemsex conference, Chemkon, which drew over 250 professionals to explore how sex, substances, consent and harm reduction intersect. However, experts stress that this is only the beginning. Ongoing, nuanced dialogue is essential – not just among professionals, but within the community itself – to help those engaging in chemsex better understand the risks and how to reduce them.
Berlin’s chemsex scene revolves around a handful of key substances. Stimulants like mephedrone, MDMA and monkey dust are used to fuel euphoria and enhance sensations. Crystal meth and cocaine are popular for a confidence or energy boost. “When you’re really into someone, you can still perform and it prolongs the sex,” says Maria*, 30, “Your natural hormones are just flooding in and like, your orgasms have orgasms.”
But these intense highs can come with serious lows. Many stimulants are habit-forming and can lead to compulsive redosing or psychosis. The most precarious drug in Berlin’s chemsex scene is ‘G’ – usually in the form of GBL – a sedative used to heighten arousal and relaxation. According to harm reduction organisation sidekicks.berlin, medical emergencies in chemsex settings often involve G because “a few drops is the difference between the desired amount and an overdose.” Despite being banned in many clubs, the drug remains widespread in the scene – especially at private parties. It’s also cheap, with one source estimating that each bottle contains hundreds of doses at less than €0.30 a hit.
Ongoing, nuanced dialogue is essential – not just among professionals, but within the community itself…
Noah*, 41, had done drugs for decades before moving here six years ago, but Berlin was the first place he encountered chemsex. “I’ll be generous, the first 10 hours are fun, but then you don’t feel anything. You’re numb,” says Noah, describing experiences with drugs like G and mephedrone.
With regular use, most of these drugs have a higher risk of dependency. Noah had one previous partner who eventually was unable to have sex sober. “He completely lost the ability to even get aroused without drugs,” he recalls, “I was crazy about this guy, so I basically started to bend my limits.” Noah realised he needed balance. “It should be this fun, crazy moment … It shouldn’t just be ‘What we do [for every sexual encounter],’” he says. “It’s the same as any drug. I don’t want to be on MDMA Monday to Friday … I want to be on MDMA while listening to nice music and dancing.”
Someone who strives to create this balance is Blake*, 35. He started having chemsex out of curiosity nearly a decade ago. He has a long-term partner but gets “free passes once in three months” to have chemsex with another woman. “I like to call it falling in love for one night,” he says, describing a fleeting closeness heightened by MDMA. He carefully plans the experience, with any substances tested beforehand at a local drug checking centre. “It’s like looking at reviews on Google about what hotels to stay at [before a trip],” Blake explains. “It’s kind of like the pre-hype for me – checking the correct dosages by body weight, what supplements you take before, during and after, what kind of meals you should have before.”
… the first 10 hours are fun, but then you don’t feel anything. You’re numb…
So, how to engage in chemsex consciously? Jessica Schmidt, host of drugs and nightlife podcast Nachtschatten, believes community education is key. “The more informed and intentional the crowd, the lower the risks – both when it comes to drug use and sex,” she explains. “People who consciously choose to engage in chemsex usually … understand the risks, use safety strategies and communicate about boundaries. But someone who takes substances casually at a ‘regular’ rave might unintentionally find themselves in a sexual situation they’re not prepared for.”
Another challenge is how to build a culture of safety around something often done in private. Liam*, 31, got into chemsex through his fisting kink. Though he’d engaged in chemsex for years before moving to Berlin eight months ago, the city presented new risks. It was the first place he encountered monkey dust – a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that only recently appeared in the local scene. It was introduced to Liam like many drugs have been: casually, with little context. “[When] you’re in the moment, of course you’re not going to take your phone out and Google it,” he says.
“Chemsex is a difficult field,” says Raimund Reintjes from SONAR Berlin, highlighting that many chemsex encounters happen where there’s little room for monitoring or intervention. That’s why non-profit organisations like sidekicks.berlin, SONAR and Queer Mama focus on peer education, club partnerships and digital resources. “We can provide guests with information on harm reduction and the risks of different practices … also help individuals get personal counselling when they are up for it,” Reintjes says.
It’s such a stigmatised topic, an explicit invitation helps people consider opening up about it.
Liam now attends an online therapy group he found through Instagram. The group focuses on chemsex, providing tools for more intentional engagement. “We set ourselves goals, and then the next therapy, it was like okay how was it? Did you manage? Did you relapse?” Liam explains. While his programme is in Spanish, several counselling centres in Berlin have accepting attitudes towards substance use and offer services in English, including Checkpoint BLN, Drogennotdienst and Schwulenberatung Berlin.
Schmidt notes a subtle peer pressure, an unspoken sense that to belong in this city, you need to try chemsex or go to kinky parties. But she offers an important reminder: “You don’t have to do anything to be liked or loved. Chemsex can be fun – it is fun when done consciously and with intention,” she says, “But let’s also be real: for many in this city, it’s also a coping strategy. A way to fill a void or soothe a need that runs much deeper than sex or drugs ever could.”
That’s why these conversations can’t stay limited to conferences or clinics. They need to happen in everyday spaces – between friends, partners and peers. “It’s such a stigmatised topic, an explicit invitation helps people consider opening up about it,” says Chemkon organiser Christopher Clay.
In a scene where inhibitions fade and boundaries blur, what Berliners may need most is permission to pause, reflect and decide what truly feels right – not just in the moment, but for the long run.
*Names have been changed.
- Download Checkpoint BLN’s Chemsex Check to reflect on your chemsex habits here.
