How Porn Stars Prepare for Anal Scenes: Behind the Scenes of the Industry I conducted an exclusive survey featuring some of the biggest names in the porn industry—porn stars, producers, directors, and key crew members like lighting technicians, camera operators, and sound engineers responsible for bringing iconic gay scenes to life. With signed confidentiality agreements ensuring anonymity, they shared candid insights that will change how you view porn forever. Let’s pull back the curtain and see how these scenes really come together.

Preparation: More Than Meets the Eye

Porn performers don’t just show up and perform without careful preparation—especially for intense bottoming scenes. The top priority? Thoroughly cleaning out the anal canal. After all, no one wants any surprises during a shoot.

Diet: The Foundation of Cleanliness

Two to three days before filming, performers switch to a high-fiber, low-carb diet focusing on fruits, veggies, and plenty of water and juices. Hydration is vital—after all, hours under hot studio lights can quickly dehydrate anyone. Chicken and fish are the go-to proteins because they digest quicker and cleaner than red meat. Pork is often avoided to reduce the risk of any “bacon bits” making an unwanted appearance.

Physical Prep: Plugging and Clearing

Many performers stretch their sphincters with a dildo or butt plug either the night before or the morning of the shoot. The day usually starts with a thorough bowel movement, with some relying on rituals like a strong coffee, a smoothie, or even a cigarette to get things moving.

Douching: The Art of Complete Cleanliness

After that initial bathroom visit, douching begins. Some start this process the night before, especially for group scenes, but most douche repeatedly on shoot day until the waste runs perfectly clear. One well-known porn star put it bluntly: “I want my ass so clean viewers can see their reflection on it.” —

Pain Management: There’s No Magic Trick

Despite what you might think, porn stars don’t rely on relaxation techniques like meditation or muscle exercises to ease bottoming pain. Instead, many turn to drugs—a stark reality in the gay porn industry. According to one performer we spoke to, around 75% of bottoms use substances like poppers, crystal meth, ecstasy, GHB, and molly to get through scenes. So the next time you watch an intense scene, remember: the receiver might be pushing through real pain, masked by being high. —

The Role of Drugs in the Industry

Drug use is practically woven into the fabric of gay porn. Tops may use them to maintain erections, bottoms to stay relaxed and open, and everyone else for a boost in morale. Crystal meth and ecstasy are especially prevalent. Some performers “slam” meth—injecting it to get an instant rush; others snort or ingest it or even administer it anally for quicker effect. One star shared, “When I slam, my dick gets instantly hard, but it takes longer to come. It makes me more passionate with my partner, especially in group scenes.” When performers struggle with bottoming, the common solution? “We just get them high as hell, then they don’t care,” said one industry insider. Even many directors admit that new or straight men trying to bottom are often given drugs like GHB to help them loosen up for the scene. —

Industry Stance on Drug Use

Studios publicly deny drug involvement and often claim they don’t supply performers with substances. However, many performers revealed that studios keep emergency erectile dysfunction meds on hand and turn a blind eye to drug use, especially since it’s so widespread. One performer described the backstage atmosphere during prep: “Usually, we do our douching and then, right before shooting, there’s a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ attitude about using drugs. Everyone looks the other way; it’s also a bonding ritual.” —

Final Thoughts

Not every performer uses drugs, but from the insiders we spoke to, drug use is undeniably a major part of the gay porn scene. From careful diet and cleansing rituals to chemical aids that dull pain and anxiety, behind every polished scene lies a complex—and sometimes troubling—backstage reality. — Would you like me to help you with a particular section for a blog post or article, or perhaps condense this into a shorter summary?

How to Bottom Like a Porn Star: The Ultimate Guide to Gay Sex by Woody Miller