Electro-stimulation, erotic electro-stim, electric play all basically mean the same thing: using electric or battery powered devices in safe, sane and consensual BDSM games!

For many people, it may seem like a frightening idea, yet many a "newbie" has been converted <pun intended!> by following two simple rules: first, use devices powered by low-powered batteries or plug-in-powered appliances that have been designed to "step down" the voltage and regulates the power and second, never place any contacts or electrodes above the waist (including on hands or arms). The cautions related to the latter is that  even small currents to the heart or brain can disrupt those organs' own delicate balance of their own natural electrical activity.

So, your question is, what can we safely play with? Well, thanks to inventive manufacturers like PES (Paradise Electro Stimulations) and other mainstream electro-therapy products, there are many possibilities! These devices are safe (when used properly) for electrical play and electro-medical fetish scenes, etc. Low frequency AC or pulsed DC devices, such as “TENS” and  “EMS” units, as well as more sophisticated devices made especially for electrical play offer many options, along with high voltage, high frequency, ultra low current devices, like the “Violet Wands”.

TENS (Therapeutic Electro-Neural Stimulation) and EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulator) units and Relaxicisors. Intended for relief of back pain and muscle stimulation, these devices come in various varieties offering different numbers of independent output channels and features that vary the intensity and pulse characteristics of the output. Go for modern battery-powered models and avoid second-hand mains powered ones! They are sometimes advertised in the classified sections of newspapers for mail order, though they don't come cheap. The supplied contact pads can be replaced by contacts of your own.

Introduction to TENS Units

TENS units and similar electrical toys are favorites for BDSM play, but I and others I have played with have found
that they can be a bit difficult to integrate into a scene unless you are playing with a very trusting bottom who doesn't even have residual fears about electricity or has experienced them before.

If you know someone who is excessively fearful but keen to try electricity, give them control of the unit and let them try things out by themselves. I have left fearful bottoms to play with my TENS unit only to come back to find them pleasurably entertaining themselves at full power...

Safety first

Electrical toys must not be used above the waist, or more accurately, above the navel. Some people maintain that as long as both terminals are on the same arm this is safe, too, but personally I feel that it's pushing safety a bit.

Making good contact between the skin and the electrodes is vital -- more on how to do that later. If you don't do this, you won't get good results with TENS units.

You also need to know that the smaller the contact point, the more intense the sensation -- clips and clamps feel quite different than a contact pad! So always start at low power and work up slowly.

Another very important safety point is not to tie someone tightly when using electricity. You will be stimulating their muscles either directly, or make them jump with the sensations. They could injure themselves easily if they can't move. People react differently, so a setting that might make your leg twitch might cause a major leg movement in another -- consider this when tying someone.

Please note that I am only addressing TENS, EMS (passive muscle stimulators sold to people too lazy to do sit-ups) and similar units in this article. Hand crank magnetos, cattle prods or stun guns must not be used as described below.

First Experiments

Trying the unit out on yourself is really the only way to learn. One thing to remember with anything that has settings or dials is that different people have different pain thresholds. Even the same person may experience and interpret sensations differently at different times -- just because one setting is pleasurable to one bottom doesn't mean another one else will find it so.

A good place to start exploring is the legs. Try putting one terminal on the inside of your thigh about three inches from the crotch, the other one on the inside of your ankle. Good lubrication of the skin/contact pads is essential -- water is fine for the genuine re-usable gel type pads that come with some of the units. For dry re-usable terminals or anything home-made, water-based lube like SurgiLube is OK, but adding a small amount of salt to the lube improves conductivity like SpectraGel.

 

Experiment with the various settings of your unit, always with the unit turned off at the beginning. Most TENS units have settings for intensity (power output), pulse rate and width of signal. There are also several switches for additional 'modes' which may be important for the intended medical use, but seem to add little to play. One of  these modes sets pulse to 'continuous' -- make sure you haven't accidentally selected this.

A good start is to set intensity to about one third of maximum. Then dial in various pulse rates and widths of signal to experience the different sensations. Next, choose approximately 40% pulse rate and signal width and increase intensity. You should feel leg muscles respond by contracting (twitching) in rhythm with the pulse setting. You may need to adjust the position of the pads slightly or check for good contact if your muscles do not respond.

When you reach an intensity level at which your muscles contract comfortably, increase the pulse rate until you reach a point at which the pulse rate is too fast for your muscles to react -- they will cramp instead. Depending on your point of view this can be either unbearably painful or an incredible turn-on! Next, try putting a pad on each ankle -- really nice. Then try putting one or both pads on the sole of your foot. Lastly, if you have two sets of outlets, put one set of pads on each leg.

From here on it's plain sailing. If you can't remember basic human anatomy from school biology, take a look at a fitness or anatomy book at the library and see where all the leg, arse (buttocks) and stomach muscles are located. The principle is really simple -- place the contacts a little beyond where muscles connect to joints and tendons.

Cock and Ball Story

Other places to explore are cock and balls -- try one pad at the base of the balls, the other at various parts of the cock, for example. (I'm sure I don't need to say more about this, other than that I'm sorry I have no similar suggestions for female readers*.)

 

Stop by our Medical Fetish Library section
for more information on Electro-sex Play!