Since the beginning of time, people have found ways to use different sensations to add pleasure to their lives. Case in point, the oldest known dildo is at least 30,000 years old.

It should come as no surprise that when electrical stimulation (e-stim) was first used in medicine someone felt it and went, “Wait, that feels goooooood.”

. . . . it creates sensations in the body that hands, mouth, dicks, and standard sex toys can’t do on their own.

 

In the world of kink, taking an everyday, non-sexual item, and turning it into a toy for pleasure, is called making it a pervertable. And that’s exactly what someone, somewhere did to electricity.

 Images courtesy of Electra Stim

It feels so good to so many people, that sex toy makers got in on the game and have taken this form of pleasure to new levels. Sure, you can pervert an old TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit you got from physical therapy or you can buy a sex toy made with e-stim already built-in.

Before you go charging up your orgasms or kink life, here’s what you need to know.

What is Electro-Stimulation?

The quick and dirty answer is that electro-stimulation (aka electro-stim or e-stim) is a form of physical therapy that sends electric impulses to the muscles or nerves as a form of rehab. The non-sexy version can help treat back pain, arthritis, spinal cord injuries, nerve inflammation, and more. 

. . . . expand the experience from a few pulses under the skin to serious pulsing around your junk during sex

 

But for those of us who use electro-stim for sexier reasons, it creates sensations in the body that hands, mouth, dicks, and standard sex toys can’t do on their own.

Electro-Stim and Safety

We can’t talk about sexy e-stim fun without first talking about safety. Playing with electricity carries inherent risks that you need to know before you try to shock yourself or a partner.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Never play with electricity if you have a pacemaker, insulin pump, or cochlear implant. If you have anything implanted in your body, talk to your doctor first. 
• Avoid e-stim if you have heart problems, epilepsy, or nerve damage. 
• Pregnant people should not engage in electro-stimulation. 
• Skip e-stim if you have a sunburn or open wounds. At the very least, don’t touch those areas with e-stim toys. It’s definitely going to hurt in a not-at-all sexy way.
• Remove metal jewelry before playing with electricity.
• Never apply electricity around the chest or head.
• Don’t play with electro-stim in or around water.
• Make sure you’re well-rested and hydrated before you play.

When in doubt, ask your doctor for guidance. You don’t have to tell them you’re getting kinky. You can say that you heard electro-stimulation might be good for the muscles or nerves - which is true - and wanted to know if it’s safe for you.

How Electro-Stim Effects the Body

What you’ll experience and feel when you play with electricity depends on a few things: the toy you use and the level of intensity you like.

. . . . you’ll get the pulsing from the electricity and the buzzing of the vibrator - at the same time!

 

But we can break e-stim down into a few basic types of play.

TENS Unit

TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. It’s a box-like device that uses electrodes and sticky pads on your skin to send electrical pulses to your muscles or nerves. Wires from the box connect to the pads (or other attachments) and controls the intensity of the pulses you feel. You use a dial or buttons to turn the electricity up or down.

When it’s turned on, you might feel pulsing, throbbing, tingling, or a “pins and needles” sensation. You might feel your muscles jump or twitch. It can be gentle and soothing or it can be intense and painful, based on the setting you use.

There are several kinked-up versions of TENS units like that give you a lot of control and let you connect sex toys to it. This allows you to expand the experience from a few pulses under the skin to serious pulsing around your junk during sex.

Violet Wands

If TENS units - and their sex toy alternatives - can be felt in the muscles and under the skin, think of violet wands as surface level. These e-stim toys use electrical currents that create a shock when you touch bare skin. To compare types of sensations, TENS unit types of play tend to be more throbbing and pulsing while violet wands are stinging and sharp.

 Images courtesy of KinkLab & Shots America

The violet wand often looks like a short wand (hence the name). The attached electrodes create a shock on contact. Glass electrodes are very common and great for beginners. Metal electrodes tend to be more intense and might be better once you’ve had a bit of experience and know what you like or can handle.

To use, make sure your electrode is attached and then turn it on. Next, touch your partner, avoiding areas that are risky zones (see the safety section above). Never hold the electrode in one place for too long to prevent burning the skin.

E-Stim Sex Toys

Let’s add a quick third option here that can be great if you want to directly combine orgasms with electricity: e-stim sex toys. When you use them, alone or with a partner, your most sensitive bits get the extra sensations of electro-stimulation.

 Image courtesy of Cal Exotics

Manufacturers build the e-stim right into their toys, so you don’t need extra equipment or cords dangling everywhere. For example, a G-spot vibrator with electrodes built into the surface. When you slide it into your vagina and turn it on, you’ll get the pulsing from the electricity and the buzzing of the vibrator - at the same time!

In Conclusion: Electro-Stim Adds Extra Sparks to Your Sex Life

Electroplay is known as sensation play in the kink world. Because even if you’re not trying to get off, you’ll experience sensations and stimulation that you (hopefully) enjoy. There are multiple ways to enjoy electro-stimulation and dozens of sex toys to try. 

Make sure you know the risks before you play with electricity and start on low settings when you play with a new toy. After that, all that’s left is to lay back and enjoy the ride!

About Kayla Lords:

I am a freelance sex writer, podcaster, YouTuber, and kink educator. I love talking about sex and sex toys and focus primarily on kinky topics. I’m also a kinky woman in a BDSM relationship who enjoys oversharing on the internet.