Ever wondered what it means when someone on Grindr is "partying"? Or do you already party, but want to know how to make it safer?
We're here to help! Welcome to Freddie's guide to substance use during sex. If you decide to party, we're here to help you reduce the risks.
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Note: Because of restrictions with our advertising platforms, we can’t be as explicit in this guide as we would like. That means we have to use slang terms and euphemisms.
Thankfully, there are community health organizations and harm reduction programs with detailed guides on how to make substance use safer. We’ll link to these throughout this guide. If you aren’t familiar with words that we use, you can click through to these other resources to learn more.
What is PnP?
Party and Play, or PnP, is when people use substances (“party”) before or during sex (“play”). In some places, like Quebec or Europe, it’s known as chemsex.
People use substances in PnP to heighten the experience and make you hornier. Parties usually happen in groups at private venues (like in someone’s home), but they can sometimes happen in sex venues like bathhouses. Most people who party are men who have sex with men, trans and non-binary people.
What are PnP substances?
The most common substances used for PnP are Tina and G. Some people use K, coke and/or molly. In Europe, some people use MCAT.
The only way to avoid all the risks and harms from substances is to not use them. At Freddie, we understand that some people will choose to take them. If you do, we’re here to support you and give you information to help reduce the risks. This approach is known as harm reduction.
How do you take Tina?
Tina comes as crystals or a powder. It’s a powerful stimulant that can make you feel energetic, euphoric and horny.
There are a few ways people take Tina. Follow the links below for more information and safety tips:
Slamming kicks in fastest and gives the strongest effect. It also has the most risks, and can be dangerous. It’s best to start with another method if you’ve never used Tina before.
How do you take G?
G comes as a clear liquid you add to drinks. It can make you feel relaxed, sociable and horny.
There are different types of G, and some are stronger than others. For all types, doses are small and have to be measured very carefully. You can do this with a medical syringe or measuring spoon.
This guide will tell you how to safely measure and time your doses. Doses should be a minimum of two hours apart. There are many factors that will affect the dose you need. These include how much you weigh, how much you’ve eaten, and your tolerance to G.
Your dose amount and timing are extremely important. This is because going even slightly over can cause someone to become unconscious (known as “G-ing out”). This can be fatal.
G should not be mixed with alcohol or downers.
What about other substances?
Powders can look similar, especially if you’re already under the influence. The amount you take for different ones can vary a lot though. For example, lines of coke are bigger than bumps of K.
If someone passes you a line or a bump, ask what it is first. Otherwise you may end up doing more than you intended, or taking something you didn’t plan to.
Some people use erectile dysfunction medications like Viagra or Cialis when they party. It’s important to not mix these with poppers. This combination can make your blood pressure drop dangerously low.
What are the risks of PnP?
Like all substance use, PnP carries some risks. These can affect your physical and mental health. Here’s a few of them:
HIV and STIs
PnP often involves having condomless sex with multiple partners. This can raise your risk for HIV and STIs. If you are HIV-negative, PrEP is one option to help prevent getting HIV when taken as prescribed. PrEP can have a risk of reduced kidney function and bone density, but this risk is low. A recent study of 14,000 PrEP patients found 0.9% had these problems.
Just remember to set a timer to take your pills – if you’ve been partying for a while, you might forget. The same goes for HIV treatment, which can prevent HIV transmission if you are undetectable.
DoxyPEP is an antibiotic taken after condomless sex that can help reduce your risk for some STIs. It can be taken whether you’re HIV-negative or HIV-positive. As with PrEP, it's essential to consult with a healthcare provider to discuss whether DoxyPEP is a good fit for you.
DoxyPEP can cause temporary digestive issues like nausea, but taking it with food can help. Some researchers have also cautioned that using doxycycline for DoxyPEP may increase the risk of antibiotic resistance, particularly when used inconsistently. Public health units are carefully considering these risks alongside the benefits of reducing STI transmission. At the time of writing, DoxyPEP has been formally endorsed by America's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Public Health Agency of Canada is currently conducting its review.
Overamping & Overdose
Overamping is when someone takes too much of a stimulant like Tina. Symptoms include anxiety, hallucinations, chest pain and muscle spasms. An overdose of stimulants can lead to seizures, overheating, and heart attacks, which can be fatal.
To learn how to spot and respond to overamping or overdose, click here.
G-ing Out
G-ing out is when someone overdoses on G. This can make them unconscious and be fatal. There are also more risks to your physical safety if you G out with strangers or in an unfamiliar place.
To learn more about G dosing and what to do if someone G-s out, check out this guide.
Poisoned supply
The poisoned substance supply means there is a risk to any powder or pills. This can be fatal. You can learn more about Canada’s poisoned substance supply here.
You can test your substances with test strips. Narcan (naloxone) can also temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. Click here to learn how to use it and where to get it in Canada. It’s often available for free.
It’s a good idea to take naloxone with you when you party or stock up if you’re hosting. Keep it on you whenever you’re using.
Dependence
Some people are able to manage their substance use. For others, it can become a problem. For these people, it may start to affect their work, relationships and mental health.
Your risk of dependence goes up the more often you party and the more you use each time. If you find yourself using alone or only hanging out with people who party, it may be a sign to slow down.
Across Canada, there are community organizations with services for people who PnP. These are run by and for queer people, and won’t force you to stop partying. Instead, they’ll meet you where you’re at and help you manage your relationship to substances.
- ACT (Toronto)
- HiM (Vancouver)
- HQ (Toronto)
- MAX (Ottawa)
- Queer Trans Health Collective (Edmonton)
Thinking about PnP?
Before you try new substances, think about your risk factors. These are things that could raise the chance of your use getting out of control, like mental health issues or a family history of addiction. Do any of these apply to you? If they do, what could your warning signs be? Who can you talk to if things get bad?
If you’ve never tried PnP before, do some research. Read guides like this one or talk to a friend who’s done it. Ask yourself questions like: What kind of experience do I want? Which substances would work best for me?
Decide your limits ahead of time. It’s easier to set boundaries when you’re sober! How long are you going to be out? Are there substances you want to avoid? How about certain methods, like slamming? Are you ok with bareback, or would you prefer condoms?
How do I know who’s partying?
On apps like Grindr or Sniffies, there’s a few ways to tell who’s looking for PnP. Apps often ban words like “PnP” or “chemsex”, so people will use other phrases instead. These include:
- Party or ParTy (T is short for Tina)
- 🥳
- Clouds or ☁️
- 🧊 (ice is another name for Tina)
- HnH (short for High and Horny, more common in Europe)
Not everyone puts this info in their profile, so if you’re arranging a hookup you can ask them about PnP beforehand. If you’ve been using or plan to, then it’s good practice to tell your hookup. Some people might want to avoid substances, like if they have experience of addiction.
When you’re at the party
Take a buddy with you. If you’re going alone, tell a friend where you’ll be and what time you’ll be back.
Leave your valuables at home. Keep your phone near you at the party. Bring a battery pack or charger.
Start low and go slow, especially if you’re new to PnP. Don’t be tempted to follow someone else’s dose – they might have a higher tolerance than you. If you’ve never done Tina before, jumping right into slamming can be very risky. Other methods are less risky.
Set a timer for any medications. This is important for HIV treatment, PrEP and/or DoxyPEP.
Stay hydrated with water or juice. Try to eat something like a banana or a light snack.
Remember that what goes up, comes down. When it’s over you might feel shitty – this is totally normal.
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