Does the Grindr route actually work, I've heard of it before but it always seemed fed to me. Also just seemed scary, not really cus of what would happen to me but just dumbfuck social anxiety and never interacting with strangers like that before
Yes. I knew a girl who got all of her items with that method. Though it depends on the area you're in, obviously. Local drug runners may have stomped out smaller dealers. You run the risk of assault, which you can do things to minimize but never guarantee as a zero percent chance. You're also likely to get hard drugs, so if you're just looking for a little molly, it might not work out.
You might meet up with a cop. It's unlikely, but not impossible. Cops usually don't waste their time running stings that way, because it's a lot of work for only the potential of an arrest. You also run the risk of the argument of entrapment, doing it that way. But there are also gay cops who do drugs who will happily fuck you and do drugs with you, only to arrest you when they're done. Niche scenario, but if we're being honest here...
Interacting with strangers gets easier with practice. Though I may be at an advantage, given my mental health problems. My anxiety typically just gives way to dissociation, and I don't feel much of anything, after a certain threshold of panic is met. So maybe it doesn't get any less scary, and I'm just ill.
I'd recommend a public place, arriving early, choosing a decent vantage point, and studying the person who shows up.
I'd also recommend just talking to local drug users. They'll know someone. The downtown stoners where I live are all friends with the coke dealer, because he used to sell weed and he gets them good deals on poppers.
Crawling bars for people who frequently visit the bathroom and come back with a sniffle, then asking them about finding a decent high over a shared joint is the go to for my area. But drug culture is different everywhere, so you have to play by your local rules. If you live somewhere with very strict drug laws, the scene will be further underground. If you live in my shithole, people will offer you ice to sleep with them on Grindr.
So, it all depends. Like Bat12 says, your local dealer, if you can find one, will know someone who has what you want, or will be able to get it directly for you. If you're attractive, you can also slum around parties, and people may offer you something. This also runs the risk of assault, worse than fishing on Grindr.
This is not advocacy for doing drugs. Drugs will fuck you up. Drugs can and usually will get you involved with some of the worst people out there. But if you're going to do drugs, do it smartly and safely. As smartly and safely as you can. Don't get stabbed because you yelled "Does anyone have blow?" at a house party. Don't get arrested asking a cop for some fet. And don't do drugs unless you are at peace with death, because if it's hard and/or it's cut wrong, it can kill you. Choking to death on your own vomit or slowly suffocating as opiates stop your respiratory system isn't a comfortable death. Not to lecture, though, because I believe we are all entitled to our own choices. Just a word of wisdom.