Edging
A Game of Ecstasy

What is Edging?

Edging is a form of sexual play. The idea is to control reaching orgasm by teasing, delaying and interrupting stimulation. Edging usually involves maintaining a high level of sexual arousal for a long period of time – up to several hours for advanced practitioners – without reaching climax

When orgasm is finally achieved, most people experience far greater physical sensations than during a conventional orgasm. Remaining in these deep states of arousal can, with sufficient practice and knowledge of advanced concepts, be the gateway to mind-altering ecstatic states called ‘transcendental orgasms’.

These can induce states of consciousness very similar to those experienced under the influence of substances such as DMT, LSD or psilocybin. In Tantra and Taoism, this knowledge has been used for millennia to connect with divine beings, access universal knowledge, heal suppressed trauma and connect with the higher self.

Benefits of Edging

Aside from increased sexual pleasure and the potential to take a plunge into the vast realms of ecstasy, there are other reasons why it is beneficial to practise edging.

A 2016 study suggests that female edging is associated with improved collagen production, increased vitamin B3 levels, and mild breast tissue enlargement.

Ejaculation Control

One of the most valuable benefits for men is that through edging they can learn to better understand their arousal curve.

A basic exercise is to masturbate repeatedly until just before ejaculation, also known as the ‘point of no return’ (PONR), then pause for 1 to 2 minutes and concentrate on breathing. Stimulation can then continue until the PONR is reached again.

Through this process, also known as ‘Wave Riding’, it’s possible to develop, a deep sense and understanding of one’s arousal curve. There are a number of techniques and concepts, such as the ‘Big Draw’ and ‘Fire Breath’, which can enable practitioners to gain awareness and control over their arousal curve, and thus mastery over orgasm and ejaculation.

A Path to Multiple Orgasms

Edging is a wonderful tool for women to learn to orgasm more easily and also to experience multiple orgasms.

Through ‘Wave Riding’ stimulation and remaining in prolonged states of arousal, women can develop a deeper awareness of the mechanisms within the body that take place as they approach orgasm.

Over time, this will develop into an intuitive understanding of how to achieve orgasm through breathing and muscle contraction. For many individuals, consciously alternating between inward and outward contractions of the pelvic floor muscles, combined with deep abdominal breathing, is a reliable and pleasurable way to achieve orgasm repeatedly.

Edging in Partnered Sex

Edging can be practised alone, with a partner, in a group, during intercourse and in a variety of other forms of sexual play. It’s quite common in the BDSM scene, for example, as being at the mercy of the dominant can be beautifully combined with extended ‘Edgeplay’. The receiving person is stimulated until they approach orgasm, at which point the intensity of stimulation is reduced or stopped. This type of play requires a certain level of attunement and/or effective communication.

The aim is to develop a sixth sense of what your partner is feeling and how close they are to orgasm. Physical, energetic and acoustic feedback will help to recognise where they are on the arousal curve.

Experienced lovers intuitively know when their partner is close to orgasm and can adjust the rhythm, intensity or type of stimulation accordingly.

Masturbate-a-thon

‘The Masturbate-a-thon’ or ‘Wankfest’ is an event in which participants masturbate to raise money for charity and increase the public awareness and reduce the shame and taboos surrounding this form of sexual activity. Long edging sessions are a fundamental aspect of the event.

In 2009, legendary Masanobu Sato masturbated for 9 hours and 58 minutes at the 9th annual World ‘Masturbate-a-thon’!

From 1998 to 2003, the ‘Masturbate-a-thon’ has raised approximately $25,000 for women’s health initiatives and HIV prevention, education and treatment organisations, and has contributed to debates about safer sex and alternative methods of sexual expression.

© Philipp, 18 August 2023