KINK & CHEMSEX

Impact Play

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What it is:
Impact play involves using hands or tools (like paddles, floggers, or whips) to strike the body for pleasure or as part of a dominant/submissive dynamic. These tools are often grouped into “thud” toys, which deliver deeper, heavier sensations (e.g. paddles, floggers, batons), and “sting” toys, which create sharper, more intense sensations on the skin (e.g. canes, crops, whips). Some people also use body-based methods like spanking, kicking, or punching with proper knowledge and care. Different tools and techniques create different sensations and are usually used on areas like the bum, thighs, or back, but all impact play requires skill, communication, and awareness to avoid injury.

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Why it’s common:

• Increased confidence and lowered inhibitions

• Reduced pain perception

• Heightened adrenaline and sensation

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Risks:

• Injury due to not feeling pain properly

• Bruising, nerve damage, or internal harm

• Escalation beyond agreed limits

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Harm reduction:

• Agree on intensity levels before using substances

• Start light and build up slowly

• Avoid hitting high-risk areas (head, spine, organs), and familiarise yourself with the safe zones here  

• Check in with your partner frequently

 

Dom/Sub & Power Dynamics

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What it is:
Dominant (Dom) and submissive (Sub) are roles in kink where one person takes control and the other consents to give up some control for mutual pleasure. These roles don’t necessarily relate to sexual positions, and some people enjoy both (known as switches). Dom/Sub dynamics vary widely and don’t always involve intense BDSM. Like all sexual activity, they rely on clear communication, consent, and respecting boundaries before, during, and after.

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Why it’s common:

• Substances can increase confidence or the desire to surrender control

• Group settings can amplify power dynamics

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Risks:

• Blurred boundaries or unclear consent

• Pressure to go along with things you wouldn’t normally agree to

• Increased vulnerability to coercion

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Harm reduction:

• Set clear roles and boundaries before using

• Agree safe words/signals in advance

• Avoid new or intense dynamics if communication is impaired

• Check in after the session

 

Watersports (Piss Play)

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What it is:
Watersports, pissplay, or golden showers, is a kink that essentially involves any erotic play involving urine. Watersports is a catch-all term for any sort of sexual play involving pee, whereas golden showers refer specifically to someone peeing on someone else. Other ways people might engage with this kink include people peeing themselves, drink pee, or even holding their bladder. However, preventing yourself from peeing frequently can lead to issues like UTIs (painful peeing) and kidney stones.

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Why it’s common:

• Lower inhibitions and increased openness to taboo play

• Often linked to humiliation/control dynamics

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Risks:

• Bacterial transmission (especially if entering the body)

• Irritation or infection

• Increased risk if combined with other activities

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Harm reduction:

• Avoid contact with mouth/genitals if concerned about risk

• Stay hydrated (diluted urine is less irritating)

• Avoid if there are infections present

• Play in easy-to-clean environments

 

Toy Play (Including Sharing Toys)

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What it is:
Use of sex toys (e.g. dildos, plugs, and other insertables), often across multiple partners, to enhance pleasure, explore different sensations, or support longer sessions. Common types include dildos (for penetration), butt plugs (for a feeling of fullness or preparation for anal play), vibrators (for stimulation of sensitive areas), cock rings (to maintain erections and increase sensitivity), and prostate toys (designed to stimulate the prostate). Some people may also use larger or inflatable toys for gradual stretching, or double-ended toys for shared play. In chemsex settings, toys are often used more frequently and across partners, which can increase risks—so using condoms on toys, cleaning them between uses, and using plenty of lube are important harm reduction steps.

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Why it’s common:

• Extended sessions and multiple partners

• Increased desire for varied stimulation

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Risks:

• STI transmission through shared toys that aren’t washed or have not been used with a condom

• Injury if used too intensely or without awareness

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Harm reduction:

• Use condoms on toys and change between partners

• Clean toys regularly

• Use plenty of lube

• Avoid using the same toy on different body parts without cleaning

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Breath Play (Choking)

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What it is:
Breath play is the intentional temporary strangling of a person for pleasure. There are two types of breath play, one where blood is restricted from reaching the brain to provide a ‘head rush’, usually by choking, belts or collars to apply pressure to either side of the neck rather than the front of the throat.

The other one is to restrict airflow by covering someone’s nose and mouth which has a slower build up of pressure, usually with hands, a plastic wrap or air-tight hood. Breath play should not be done alone due to the severe risks that come with breath play, including strokes, unconsciousness, damage to the throat/neck and death.

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Why it’s common:
The reason people engage in breath play is because restriction of oxygen or blood can make someone feel light-headed, dizzy or euphoric which some people find a turn-on. There is also an adrenaline rush/thrill related to breath play which intensifies they sensations someone can feel. Especially with breath play, there is a strong element of trust and surrender between partners which can also be erotic.

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Risks:

• Loss of consciousness, brain injury, or death

• Damage to the throat or blood vessels

• Warning signs can be subtle or happen too late

• In chemsex, substances can mask distress and impair judgement

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Harm reduction:

• Strongly recommended to avoid during chemsex

• Never apply pressure to the neck without proper knowledge

• Avoid combining with substances that affect breathing or awareness

• Clearly establish safe signals such as tapping on your partners hand three times to stop

• Always prioritise clear, sober communication and monitoring

 

Electro Play

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What it is:
Electro play, also called electricity play, electrostimulation or e-stim, is a kink play that involves using equipment to create electrical stimulation on people’s bodies for pleasure or pain. It can be potentially dangerous and is often a complex kink, and should not be engaged with unless you have a very good understanding of the risks and all the necessary safety precautions.

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Why it’s common:
Offers unique sensations that can’t be replicated manually and can be used for both gentle stimulation and more intense play.

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Risks:

• Interference with heart rhythm

• Burns, nerve damage, or muscle spasms

• Dangerous if used near the chest or heart

• Increased unpredictability when combined with substances

• Potentially fatal

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Harm reduction:

• Avoid during chemsex

• Keep stimulation below the waist

• Never use across the chest or near the heart

• Only use with proper knowledge, safe equipment, and sober awareness

• Do not engage with if you have a pre-existing heart condition

 

Restraints

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What it is:
Generally, restraints refer to any kink that involves one partner using an object or their own body to prevent their partner from moving around (rope, handcuffs, etc.). Restraints can include the whole body or just parts like arms, hands or legs. Because of this, restraints can also be incorporated into a variety of other kinks.

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Why it’s common:
Can enhance power dynamics, trust, and feelings of control or surrender, and is often combined with other kinks.

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Risks:

• Nerve damage or circulation problems

• Positional asphyxia (restricted breathing due to body position)

• Inability to communicate distress

• Increased risk if left unattended

• In chemsex, reduced awareness makes it harder to recognise harm

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Harm reduction:

• Avoid if communication is impaired

• Always have a quick release (e.g. safety shears)

• Regularly check circulation, movement, and breathing

• Communicate and check in regularly  

• Never leave someone restrained alone

• Plan and agree boundaries clearly in advance

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Aftercare is the support you give yourself and others after sex or a kink session. In chemsex settings, aftercare is even more important because both intense sex and drug use can affect your body and mood.

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Chemsex sessions can be longer, more physically intense, and emotionally complex—so recovery needs more attention too.

 

Why Aftercare Matters in Chemsex

After a session, you might experience:

• Physical exhaustion or dehydration

• Soreness or injuries

• Low mood or anxiety (“comedown”)

• Emotional vulnerability or disconnection

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Drugs like GHB/GBL, crystal meth, and mephedrone can also cause a crash after they wear off, which can amplify these feelings.

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Aftercare helps you:

• Recover physically

• Feel emotionally grounded

• Reduce harm and complications

• Reconnect with yourself and others

 

Physical Aftercare

Your body may have been under strain for a long time.

Focus on:

• Hydration – drink water or electrolytes

• Food – even something small can help stabilise you

• Rest – sleep if you can

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Check your body:

• Any pain, soreness, or bleeding

• Cuts, bruises, or swelling

• Signs of irritation or infection

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If you’ve engaged in kink:

• Treat minor injuries (e.g. clean wounds, use antiseptic, apply ice wrapped in cloth)

• Monitor areas affected by impact, restraint, or penetration

• Seek medical help if something doesn’t feel right

 

Emotional Aftercare

Chemsex can intensify emotional experiences—and the comedown can feel just as intense.

You might feel:

• Low, anxious, or irritable

• Disconnected or empty

• Overwhelmed or vulnerable

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What can help:

• Sitting somewhere calm and safe

• Gentle touch (if wanted)

• Talking with someone you trust

• Reassurance or grounding (music, familiar space, comfort items)

You don’t have to be “fine” straight away—comedowns are real and valid.

 

Aftercare with Others

If you’ve played with partners, aftercare can include:

• Checking in (“How are you feeling?”)

• Offering water, food, or a place to rest

• Respecting if someone wants space

• Avoiding pressure to continue sex or use more substances

 

In group settings, people may leave quickly or disconnect—this can feel difficult. If possible, try to:

• Agree on some level of aftercare before the session

• Have a plan for how you’ll look after yourself if others aren’t around

 

Sexual Health Aftercare

After chemsex, it’s a good time to think about sexual health.

Consider:

• Washing your body and genitals

• Cleaning any toys used

• Getting an STI/HIV test if needed

• Accessing PEP if there’s been a potential HIV exposure (within 72 hours)

 

Substance Use Aftercare

Coming down from drugs can be one of the hardest parts.

Harm reduction tips:

• Avoid immediately re-dosing to delay the comedown

• Stay hydrated and nourished

• Try to sleep

• Avoid mixing more substances to “balance” the effects

 

If you feel unwell, confused, or unable to stay conscious, seek medical help.

 

Planning Ahead for Aftercare

Aftercare is most effective when it’s planned.

 

Before a session, think about:

• Do I have food, water, and a safe place to rest?

• Who can I contact if I feel low afterwards?

• What do I usually need when I come down?

 

Even simple planning can make a big difference.