Edging (sexual practice)

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Edging, [1] sometimes also referred to as gooning [2] [3] [4] [a] or surfing, [5] is a sexual technique whereby an orgasm is controlled (that is, delayed or prevented). [2] It is practiced alone or with a partner, and involves the maintenance of a high level of sexual arousal for an extended period of time without reaching climax. [2] [6] Orgasm control involves either sex partner being in control of the other partner's orgasm, or a person delaying their own orgasm during sexual activity with a partner or through masturbation. [2] Any method of sexual stimulation can be used to experience controlled orgasm. [7]

Contents

When the controlled orgasm is achieved, the physical sensations are greater as compared to conventional orgasm. Orgasm control has also been referred to as "slow masturbation" and "extended massive orgasm". [8] [5] When practiced by males, direct sexual stimulation without the refractory period after orgasm is sometimes possible. [9] [ disputed discuss ][ better source needed ]

Edging should not be confused with edgeplay, which refers to a set of sexual practices distinct from edging. It should also not be confused with premature ejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, or the inability to orgasm, all of which describe involuntary medical conditions. [7] The terms edging and gooning have been adopted by Generation Z and older Gen Alpha as brain rot terminology, [2] gaining popularity on TikTok. [10] [11] In internet slang, gooner is often used to refer to pleasure-seekers and porn performers, as well as extreme excitement or obsession in non-sexual contexts. [12]

In partnered sex

During intercourse or other forms of sexual stimulation with a partner, one person stimulates the other(s) and reduces the level of stimulation when approaching orgasm. Erotic sexual denial occurs when the partner who is in control of the other partner's orgasm prolongs the orgasm to allow for an increased level of sexual tension. [7] When a partner eventually provides enough stimulation to achieve an orgasm, it may be stronger than usual due to increased tension and arousal that builds up during the extended stimulation. [13] An example of the use of orgasm control in partnered sex can be seen in BDSM; the partner whose orgasm is being controlled (sometimes referred to as the submissive partner) can be tied up. [13] [14] This activity is sometimes called tie and tease; if orgasm is denied, it is then known as tease and denial. [15]

In masturbation

When practicing alone in masturbation, orgasm control can heighten sexual pleasure. For a woman, the practitioner can enjoy direct sexual stimulation for longer periods of time, as well as increasing frequency and intensity. For a man, the intensity of masturbation may vary to navigate right to the edge of ejaculation. With orgasm control, a male can experience a more intense orgasm, as well as a larger volume of semen expelled during his ejaculation. [16] One technique, commonly referred to as edging, involves masturbating up until the moment before reaching the plateau phase just before orgasm occurs, and then stopping suddenly before experiencing orgasm, eventually learning to reach and maintain the plateau phase without orgasm occurring until chosen. Either maintaining the plateau phase for some time, or simply repeatedly stopping before orgasm many times during a single masturbation session, may result in a longer, more intense orgasm. [6]

See also

Notes

  1. Gooning can refer to a trance-like mental state that some people experience as a result of edging for extended periods of time, [2] sometimes assisted by psychoactive substances.[ citation needed ] This activity is often accompanied and assisted by pornography usage. [2]

References

  1. Ince, C.; Albertella, L.; Liu, C.; Tiego, J.; Fontenelle, L. F.; Chamberlain, S. R.; Rotaru, K.; Yücel, M. (September 2024). Spada, M. M. (ed.). "Problematic pornography use and novel patterns of escalating use: A cross-sectional network analysis with two independent samples". Addictive Behaviors . 2 (156) 108048. Elsevier. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108048. ISSN   1873-6327. PMC   7616041 . PMID   38761685. S2CID   269559301.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kolitz, Daniel (22 October 2025). "The Goon Squad: Loneliness, porn's next frontier, and the dream of endless masturbation". Harper's Magazine . New York City: Harper's Magazine Foundation. ISSN   0017-789X. Archived from the original on 24 October 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025. Gooning is a new kind of masturbation. More precisely, a new kind of masturbation at the heart of an internet-based, pornography-obsessed, Gen Z–dominated subculture every bit as defined and vibrant as the hippies or punks in their prime. The act itself resembles "edging"—repeatedly bringing oneself to the point of climax without actually climaxing. But gooning is more goal-oriented and more communal. The gooner goons to reach the "goonstate": a supposed zone of total ego death or bliss that some liken to advanced meditation, the attainment of which compels them to masturbate for hours, or even days, at a time.
  3. Kokoski, Christopher (2022-09-10). "Gooning Sex Guide: What Is Gooning?". Sexography. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  4. Stahl, Michael (21 November 2020). "The Psychedelic Science of 'Gooning' — Or Masturbating Into a Trance". MEL Magazine . Marina del Rey, California: Literally Media. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  5. 1 2 Bodansky, Steve ?oclcNum=48109806; Bodansky, Vera (2000). Extended Massive Orgasm: How You Can Give and Receive Intense Sexual Pleasure. Vermilion. pp. 91–98. ISBN   978-0-09-185743-1. OCLC   48109806.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. 1 2 Kandola, Aaron (2020-07-20). "Edging: Definition, how-to, and benefits". Medical News Today . Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  7. 1 2 3 Swiner, C. Nicole. "What Is Edging Sex?". WebMD . Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  8. Comfort, Alex; Quilliam, Susan (2008). The New Joy of Sex. Mitchell Beazley. ISBN   978-1-84533-429-1. OCLC   300983363.
  9. "Let's Talk About Semen Retention, Tantra's Best-Kept Secret For Male Pleasure". mindbodygreen. 2020-02-24. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  10. "What does Edge mean on TikTok?". Capital. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  11. Johnson, Stephen (2024-08-15). "'Mewing,' 'Sigma,' and Other Gen Z and Gen Alpha Slang You Might Need Help Decoding". Lifehacker. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  12. López, Quispe (5 September 2024). "What Does Gooning Mean — And Is Anyone Actually Doing It?". Them . Retrieved 4 February 2025.
  13. 1 2 Pulley, Anna (2018-07-24). "How to Edge: The Art of Building Up to Extremely Intense Orgasms". Vice. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  14. "Edging: Take Your Orgasm to the Next Level". Kinkly.com. 27 July 2016. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  15. Serai, Vin (2022-05-17). "Tease and Denial Games: What They Are, Types & How to Play with Your Lover". LovePanky - Your Guide to Better Love and Relationships. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  16. "Does Edging Increase Sperm Count? | Allo Health". www.allohealth.care. 2023-06-22. Retrieved 2023-11-26.

Further reading