Glossary — Words that help us understand one another
Frequent terms from the guide such as ART, PrEP, CYP450, chemsex, undetectable, naloxone, and more, explained in clear and accessible language.
In the worlds of pleasure, sexuality, substance use, and shared care, there are many words, expressions, and ideas that do not always mean the same thing to everyone.
This glossary brings together common terms to make the guide easier to read and to support safer, more informed, and more respectful conversations.
A
Adherence Taking HIV medication as prescribed, including dose, timing, and frequency. Good adherence helps keep the virus under control and lowers the risk that treatment will stop working.
Antiretroviral (ARV) A medication used to treat HIV infection. Antiretrovirals do not eliminate the virus, but they stop it from multiplying and help the immune system stay strong.
Adulterant A substance added to a drug to increase its volume, change its effects, or partially or fully replace the expected compound. Some adulterants may be more dangerous than the original substance.
B
Benzodiazepines A group of medicines used to treat anxiety, insomnia, or seizures. When combined with alcohol, opioids, or GHB/GBL, they can increase the risk of loss of consciousness and respiratory depression.
Bictegravir (BIC) An antiretroviral from the integrase inhibitor family. It has a low interaction potential with most psychoactive substances.
C
Cabotegravir (CAB) An antiretroviral available in long-acting injectable and oral formulations. It is also used for HIV prevention (PrEP). It has a low interaction potential with most psychoactive substances.
Viral load The amount of HIV present in the blood. When treatment works well, viral load can fall until it becomes undetectable.
Cobicistat (COBI) A medicine used to increase the concentration of some antiretrovirals. It can increase the concentration of certain psychoactive substances and some other medicines.
CYP450 A group of liver enzymes responsible for metabolising many medicines and some psychoactive substances. Several interactions described in this guide happen because different substances use these same enzymes.
D
Dolutegravir (DTG) An antiretroviral widely used as first-line HIV treatment. It has a low interaction potential with most psychoactive substances.
Respiratory depression A major decrease in the rate or depth of breathing. It can occur during an overdose from opioids, GHB/GBL, or other central nervous system depressants and is a medical emergency.
E
Efavirenz (EFV) An antiretroviral belonging to the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor family. It can produce central nervous system effects such as vivid dreams, dizziness, or sleep disturbances.
Emtricitabine (FTC) An antiretroviral widely used in HIV treatment and in some PrEP regimens. It has a low interaction potential with recreational substances.
F
Fentanyl A very potent synthetic opioid used in medicine to treat pain. It may also appear illicitly mixed into other substances, greatly increasing overdose risk.
G
GHB A central nervous system depressant used in some recreational settings. The difference between a desired dose and an overdose can be very small.
GBL A chemical compound that is rapidly converted into GHB after being swallowed.
I
Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) People living with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load through treatment do not transmit HIV sexually. This is only possible when treatment is taken consistently and viral load stays suppressed.
Integrase inhibitor A family of HIV medicines that includes dolutegravir, bictegravir, cabotegravir, and raltegravir. They are currently the foundation of most treatments because of their effectiveness and low interaction potential.
Drug interaction A change in the effect of a medicine or substance when it is used together with another. Some interactions may increase effects, reduce them, or change the risk of side effects.
K
Ketamine A dissociative substance that can alter perception, balance, and bodily sensation.
L
Lamivudine (3TC) An antiretroviral widely used in HIV treatment. It has a low interaction potential with recreational substances.
Lenacapavir (LEN) A long-acting antiretroviral belonging to a new HIV drug family (capsid inhibitors). Evidence about its interactions with psychoactive substances is still developing.
M
Metabolism The process through which the body transforms medicines and substances to make elimination possible.
N
Naloxone A medicine used to temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. It can save lives while medical help arrives, but it does not replace the need to seek emergency care.
O
Opioids A group of substances that includes heroin, morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and other pain medicines. They can cause sleepiness, slowed breathing, and overdose.
P
Polydrug use Using two or more psychoactive substances at the same time or within a short time frame. Polydrug use often increases the risk of complications and adverse effects.
R
Harm reduction A set of strategies and practices aimed at lowering the risks and negative consequences associated with substance use, without necessarily requiring abstinence.
S
Overdose The body’s response to an excessive amount of a substance or a combination of substances that can put life at risk.
T
Antiretroviral treatment (ART) A combination of HIV medicines that helps control the virus, strengthen the immune system, and prevent complications. It should be prescribed by healthcare professionals and taken continuously.
V
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It attacks the immune system and can be effectively controlled through antiretroviral treatment.
Community glossary
Common terms used in LGBTQIA+ and harm reduction communities:
- Crash / comedown: The period after use marked by fatigue, irritability, or lower energy.
- Shot: Injecting a substance with a syringe.
- Crew / scene / circle: A group of people sharing an experience, activity, or social space.
- Poppers: A generic name used for different inhaled nitrites.
- Trip: The set of sensations and experiences linked to the effects of a substance.
Words can care for us too. Talking about pleasure, sexuality, substance use, and health with clear information helps people make safer decisions, strengthen support networks, and build communities where care is a shared responsibility.
Caring for one another also means learning together.