Variable riskSexual practices

Sexual practices: physical care, body safety, and erotic exploration

Guide to sexual practices with physical and body care (bondage, spanking, electro, wax, breath play) and erotic and sensory exploration, with care levels and harm reduction strategies.

Also in:Spanish Portuguese (Brazil)

Sexual practices: physical care and body safety

Some practices require specific knowledge to help prevent injuries and support safer, more pleasurable, and consensual experiences.

Levels of care

Basic care: general information and clear agreements.
Intermediate care: specific knowledge and ongoing communication.
Specialised care: prior training and gradual practice.
Specific training recommended: specialised education and safety protocols.

1. Bondage

Consensual restriction of movement using ropes, cuffs, tape, or other devices.

Main type of care: physical safety
Level of care: specialised
Recommended skills: basic anatomy, safe knots, and quick release.
Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol, GHB/GBL, and ketamine.
Potential risks: nerve compression, falls, panic.
Harm reduction strategies: keep communication constant, check circulation, have safety scissors nearby, and do not leave a restrained person alone.

2. Suspension Bondage

Partial or full-body restraint while suspended using rope systems.

Main type of care: advanced physical safety
Level of care: specific training recommended
Recommended skills: specialised training and gradual experience.
Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol, GHB/GBL, and ketamine.
Potential risks: nerve, muscle, or joint injuries, falls.
Harm reduction strategies: specialised training, suitable equipment, expert supervision, and emergency protocols.

3. Spanking

Consensual striking with the hand on specific body areas.

Main type of care: physical safety
Level of care: intermediate
Recommended skills: knowing safe impact zones, controlling intensity, and maintaining communication.
Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol and GHB/GBL.
Potential risks: bruising, excessive pain, emotional reactions.
Harm reduction strategies: start gradually, establish pause signals, and check physical and emotional well-being during the activity.

4. Impact Play

Consensual use of tools such as floggers, paddles, canes, or other objects to create bodily impact.

Main type of care: physical safety
Level of care: specialised
Recommended skills: tool handling, basic anatomy, and intensity control.
Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol, GHB/GBL, and ketamine.
Potential risks: skin injuries, bruises, muscle injuries.
Harm reduction strategies: know anatomically vulnerable areas and check body responses regularly.

5. Wax Play

Controlled application of hot wax on the skin to create sensory stimulation.

Main type of care: physical safety
Level of care: specialised
Recommended skills: knowing safe temperatures, identifying suitable candle types, and basic first aid.
Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol and ketamine.
Potential risks: burns, skin irritation, allergic reactions.
Harm reduction strategies: test the temperature first, keep enough distance between the candle and the skin, and avoid especially sensitive areas.

6. Electro Play

Consensual use of electrical devices designed for erotic stimulation.

Main type of care: physical safety
Level of care: specific training recommended
Recommended skills: basic technical knowledge, awareness of medical contraindications, and safe equipment use.
Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
Potential risks: burns, nerve injuries, cardiovascular changes.
Harm reduction strategies: use equipment designed for this purpose, check equipment condition, and avoid use in people with medical conditions that make it unsafe.

7. Breath Play

Practices that temporarily change breathing or the perception of breathing as part of erotic play.

Main type of care: life safety
Level of care: specific training recommended
Recommended skills: specialised training, recognising emergency signs, and response protocols.
Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol, GHB/GBL, ketamine, and opioids.
Potential risks: hypoxia, loss of consciousness, neurological injury, death.
Harm reduction strategies: avoid solo play, do not combine with depressant substances, have specific training, and use emergency protocols. Always prioritise safety over play.

Care does not limit pleasure; it helps build safer, more informed, and more satisfying experiences for everyone involved.

Always remember

Constant and clear communication.
Prior agreements and pause signals.
Proper equipment ready for emergencies.
Careful observation and mutual aftercare.
Aftercare: emotional and physical care after the practice.

Erotic and sensory exploration

Erotic and sensory exploration can expand pleasure, connection, and self-knowledge. Doing it with information, consent, and care allows more intense, safer, and more meaningful experiences.

Exploring the body and the senses through controlled deprivation or stimulation.

Main type of care: sensory communication and consent.
Level of care: intermediate
Recommended skills: clear communication, reading body cues, empathy.
Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol, GHB/GBL, opioids.
Potential risks: disorientation, overstimulation, anxiety.
Harm reduction strategies: prior agreements, safewords, and constant check-ins.

2. Temperature Play

Consensual use of cold or heat to create intense sensations.

Main type of care: physical safety and communication.
Level of care: intermediate
Recommended skills: knowing the body, constant communication, patience.
Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine.
Potential risks: burns, hypothermia, irritation.
Harm reduction strategies: test temperatures before use, avoid sensitive areas, and check body response.

3. Impact Play (consensual hitting)

Consensual application of strikes with hands or implements.

Main type of care: physical safety and communication.
Level of care: specialised
Recommended skills: proper technique, clear communication, reading body cues.
Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol, GHB/GBL, stimulants, opioids.
Potential risks: bruises, injuries, excessive pain.
Harm reduction strategies: know limits, use an intensity scale, choose safe areas, and provide aftercare.

4. Bondage (physical restraint)

Restriction of movement using ropes, cuffs, or other tools.

Main type of care: safety, trust, and communication.
Level of care: specialised
Recommended skills: safe tying, constant monitoring, non-verbal communication.
Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol, GHB/GBL, opioids.
Potential risks: circulation problems, asphyxia, panic.
Harm reduction strategies: learn safe knots, check circulation, keep scissors nearby, and do frequent check-ins.

5. Edging and orgasm control

Delaying or modulating orgasm to intensify pleasure.

Main type of care: communication and self-knowledge.
Level of care: basic
Recommended skills: body awareness, clear communication, patience.
Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol, stimulants, GHB/GBL.
Potential risks: frustration, physical discomfort, pressure.
Harm reduction strategies: communicate limits, pause if there is pain, and respect each person’s rhythm.

6. Mindful self-eroticism

Exploring your own body, desires, and limits with intention and care.

Main type of care: self-knowledge and emotional well-being.
Level of care: intermediate
Recommended skills: self-exploration, self-compassion, body respect.
Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol, depressants, stimulants.
Potential risks: dissociation, guilt, frustration.
Harm reduction strategies: create a safe space, use enough lubrication, take pauses, and practice aftercare.

7. Fantasy exploration and role play

Representing roles or fantasy scenarios within erotic play.

Main type of care: communication and ongoing consent.
Level of care: intermediate
Recommended skills: role negotiation, communication, and respect for limits.
Substances that may increase some risks: alcohol, GHB/GBL, cocaine.
Potential risks: confusion about limits, emotional discomfort, misunderstandings.
Harm reduction strategies: define roles and limits in advance, use pause signals, and debrief afterwards.

Remember

Pleasure is also built through care. Communication, consent, and respect are the basis of safer and more pleasurable erotic exploration.

Aftercare: whenever possible

Aftercare helps process emotions, reconnect, and strengthen bonds after the practice.