What is Chemical Play?

Full Question: Can you talk about chemical play, please?

Answer: 

Chemical play is a form of sensation play involving irritants to create sensations during or after play. These substances usually come in the form of liquids, gels, oils, or creams. When they put them on sensitive parts like private areas, nipples, or the butt, it can make those areas feel slightly tingly or even very hot, depending on what they want. When people use them during sex, it can make those moments even more exciting and last longer. The substances they use are often things you can buy without a prescription or come from nature, and they’re usually not meant for this kind of play.

The most important thing to remember about Chemical Play is that once it’s on, it’s on, you cannot take it back. This is not an experience you can safeword out of; that’s why negotiation, testing, and preparation are very important before you do anything.

Common substances used in chemical play

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  • Toothpaste (mintier the better)
  • Tiger Balm (heating)
  • Ben Gay, Icy Hot, and other menthol-based lotions (heating/burning/cooling depending on mixture)
  • Cinnamon Oil (heating)
  • Peppermint or Spearmint Oil (cool first, hot later)
  • Desensitizing lube/gel – numbing, great for forced orgasms. 
  • Massage oils (soothing, sensual, or warming)
  • Baby oil, body lotions, and creams – soothing, sensual and/or warm.
  • Vicks vapor rub – warm, tingling sensation. 
  • Capsaicin cream – it’s very intense and can be used while masturbating, but you have been 
  • warned. 
  • Wasabi, Horseradish, Mustard – use only fresh.
  • Nettles – can be used as a lashing implement or a makeshift flogger.
  • Fresh ginger root – commonly used for figging in BDSM. Figging is the process of carving a butt plug shape from a piece of fresh ginger and inserting into the anus. As the ginger releases it’s natural oils it causes an intense burning sensation riding the line between pain and pleasure. Ginger can also be used by placing wedges into the vagina or by carving a thin strip to insert into the urethra.

Due to space constraints, this can’t be a comprehensive guide. But there are many really good articles online about Chemical Play if you search them out. I especially liked the one on Dom(me)’s Life.

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