be top. I said we could do that, and sniffing it felt really good.”192
Although Rush doesn’t lead to chemical addiction, it can bring about psychological
dependency and presents a number of physical risks;193 some experts feel that Rush
should be classified as a psychotropic drug.194At present, China does not include
alkyl nitrates among controlled narcotics or psychotropic drugs. On this basis, some
websites publicize the safety of Rush.195Most current online marketing of Rush
products lacks standard product labeling, and some sellers sell Rush as an aromatic
drug or perfume.
Foxy Methoxy is another stimulant mentioned by interviewees. Xiao Huli says:
“My clients use Foxy, but when they do, you can’t stand it, because it makes
the client especially demanding. It makes him go on forever. All you can do is
wait for him, and he just keeps wanting more. It’s incredible. There are many
kinds of Foxy, some better than others. It was originally an aphrodisiac, and it
can be bought online.”196
Xia Yu says: “That stuff [Foxy] is nothing to play with, because it makes you incredibly
aroused. I’ve seen people take Foxy and practically go crazy; it’s like they’re
ravenous.”197
The main ingredient of Foxy Methoxy is a mind-altering substance called 5-Methoxydiisopropyltryptamine.198 This substance is classified as an illegal drug in many
countries. Apart from its hallucinogenic qualities, it can cause serious consequences,
including renal failure and death.199 There have been cases of fatal overdose in
Taiwan,200 where 5-MeO-DIPT is now a Class Four Controlled Substance.201 However,
there are no controls on 5-MeO-DIPT in China at this time,202 and Foxy Methoxy can
easily be purchased on the internet. Some sellers particularly promote Foxy as a safe
192 Interview with Haima, Shanghai, March 21, 2014.
193 “60 percent of gays use Rush: The deadly drug that brings pleasure.” Danlan, February 15, 2011. http://www.danlan.org/disparticle_33459.htm
(accessed October 14, 2014).
194 Zhang Beichuan, “To the Parents of Young Homosexuals and to Young Homosexuals.”
195 “Rush Poppers Q&A,” http://www.4191069.com/Poppers3.html (accessed October 14, 2014).
196 Interview with Xiao Huli, Shanghai, May 27, 2014.
197 Interview with Xia Yu, Beijing, July 13, 2014.
198 Damien Lu. “Foxy Methoxy and other anal dilation sex products for internal use.” Aibai, http://www.aibai.com/advice_pages.php?linkwords=5MeO-DiPT (accessed October 14, 2014).
199 Ibid.
200 Food and Drug Administration (Taiwan). “How much do you know about drug abuse?” http://www.tcvs.tc.edu.tw/ftp/20130806120202.pdf
(accessed October 14, 2014).
201 Ministry of Health and Welfare Food and Drug Administration (Taiwan).”Advanced notification of amendment of controlled substance classification
and items (adding 5-MeO-DIPT and Thiamylal as Class Four Controlled Substances).” November 18, 2010. http://www.