Party and play (PnP), also known as high and horny (HnH), chemsex, pharmacosex, or wired play, refers to the practice of consuming drugs to enhance sexual activity. This sexual subculture involves recreational drug users engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors under the influence of drugs, often within specific sub-groups. Activities may include unprotected sex with multiple partners during sessions over extended periods, sometimes lasting days. The drug of choice is typically methamphetamine, commonly referred to as crystal meth, tina, or T. Other substances like mephedrone, GHB, GBL, ketamine, and alkyl nitrites (known as poppers) are also used. The term slamsex is used for injection drug users. Studies indicate that individuals participating in such activities have a higher likelihood of acquiring sexually transmitted infections, including HIV / AIDS, due to unprotected sex with numerous partners. Consequently, addressing this issue is considered a significant public health priority.
Terminology The practice is commonly referred to as "party 'n' play" (PNP or PnP) by some participants, while others use the term "high 'n' horny" (HnH). An academic study has labeled it "sexualized drug use" (SDU). The term PnP is widely used among gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in North America and Australia. Conversely, the term chemsex is more common in Europe. In certain Southeast Asian countries, it is commonly known as "chem fun" (CF or Cf).
Participants and drugs
Methamphetamine is often used recreationally for its effects as an aphrodisiac, euphoriant, and stimulant. It has been further described that "an entire subculture known as 'party and play' is based around methamphetamine use." Gay men belonging to this subculture will typically meet up through internet dating sites to have sex. On such sites, men often include notations such as "chems" or "PnP". Since stimulant drugs such as methamphetamine drastically delay the need for sleep, increase sexual arousal, and tend to inhibit ejaculation, PNP sexual encounters can continue for many hours or even days. Methamphetamine taken in excess of amounts prescribed or recommended will prolong symptoms of intoxication for up to eight hours. In some cases, these sexual encounters will sometimes occur continuously for several days along with repeated methamphetamine use. Methamphetamine is used to create euphoria, "heighten sexual appetite", and increase sexual stamina. The crash following the use of methamphetamine in this manner is very often severe, with marked hypersomnia. Ketamine is very different from the main chemsex drugs, as it is a dissociative anesthetic that distorts perception and causes dissociation. Ketamine is used in chemsex encounters to "improve the experience of receptive anal intercourse or fisting". A study of sauna participants in Barcelona, Spain, in 2016, found that the most commonly used drugs in chemsex are "GHB/GBL, cocaine, ecstasy, silver bars (MDMA), poppers and Viagra". A 2014 study on chemsex in London, United Kingdom, indicated that the drugs associated with chemsex include mephedrone, GHB/GBL, crystal meth, ketamine, and cocaine. Internet posts by men seeking PnP experiences often use slang to identify what drug they are partying with. These drugs tend to inhibit penile erection, a phenomenon known by the slang term crystal penis or tweaker dick. Consequently, many men who engage in PnP use erectile dysfunction drugs such as sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil. Loperamide (Imodium) is often taken by participants in passive anal sex in order to be clean for longer. For some PnP participants, substance use may facilitate a process of "cognitive disengagement" or moral disengagement from the fears and stipulations associated with sex in the time of HIV/AIDS. Popular discourses of "disinhibition" provide a commonly accepted alibi for activities engaged in when under the influence of stimulants. The psychedelic phenethylamine 2C-B was once sold commercially under the brand name "Erox" for use at low doses as a sexual enhancer in Germany. The atypical psychedelic tryptamines 5-MeO-DiPT (foxy methoxy) and 5-MeO-MiPT (moxy) produce sexual and tactile enhancement with only weak hallucinogenic effects at typical doses and are used to enhance sexual experiences as well.
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