Edging vs. Gooning: The Pleasure Practices Everyone Is Talking About

By: Jay Dee, MPH

If you’ve ever noticed that slowing down pleasure can feel more intense than rushing to the finish, you’re not imagining it. More people are exploring sexual wellness practices that focus on control, awareness, and extended sensation — and that’s where edging and gooning come in. While the two are often lumped together online, they’re actually very different experiences with one shared goal: staying in the pleasure longer. Whether you’re curious, already experimenting, or just trying to understand the hype, let’s break down what gooning and edging really are, why people practice them, and how to explore them mindfully.

The Key Difference Between Gooning and Edging

Edging is the practice of bringing yourself close to climax and then stopping before you reach it. This can happen during solo play or with a partner. The idea is to cultivate intensity, prolong the experience, and explore control over your body’s responses.

Gooning is being deeply absorbed in the state of prolonged arousal, typically during solo play. It’s less about control and more about sinking into the sensation over a longer time, often without intending to reach climax at all. It’s almost like entering a trance of pleasure.

The core difference is this:

Edging is intentionally stopping before orgasm (solo or partnered).

Gooning is surrendering to long states of high arousal, usually solo.

Both experiences can feel intensely euphoric — people often describe waves of pleasure, heightened sensitivity, and a kind of “head-in-the-clouds” feeling.

Why Do People Do It?

People choose these practices for lots of reasons:

• To heighten pleasure and prolong arousal

• To explore body awareness and control

• To deepen intimacy with a partner through shared rhythm and communication

• To enjoy the unique “high” that builds when you stay in the zone longer

  
  

There’s no one right reason — it’s personal!

Benefits (What Folks Report)

While research on these specific practices is still emerging, people often say:

• Enhanced pleasure and increased sensitivity

• Better understanding of one’s own arousal patterns

• Stronger connection with a partner when done together

• A sense of empowerment over one’s sexual response

  
  

This aligns with broader sexual health research that shows mindful focus on arousal and control can support greater sexual satisfaction and self-awareness.

How To Do It (Mindfully)

For Edging:

1. Get comfortable and pay attention to how your body feels as arousal builds.

2. When you notice you’re getting close to climax, slow down or pause.

3. Breathe, reset, and enjoy the plateau before beginning again –– if you want.

   
   

For Gooning (solo only):

1. Stay in the sensation as long as it feels good — you’re not trying to reach climax.

2. Focus on breathing, body awareness, and sustaining arousal.

3. The goal isn’t control, it is sustained presence.

   
   

(Note: Always listen to your body and honor your comfort.)

Talking About Edging With Your Partner

Communication is key! Here’s how to bring it up:

• Be open and curious: “I read about edging as a way to prolong pleasure — are you interested in trying it with me?”

• Provide an explanation: Discuss your why and what you're hoping to gain.

• Agree on signals: Decide together how you’ll let each other to know when you’re approaching the climax point.

• Check in: After you try it, talk about how it felt and what you liked or didn’t.

  
  

Sexual exploration is a team sport — and good communication makes it better for both.

When To Stop

• With edging, stop before the physical signs of climax — agreed between you and/or your own awareness.

• With gooning, you stop whenever your focus or enjoyment naturally fades — there’s no finish line.

  
  

Both practices are about sensation and connection, not performance. Comment below if this is something you've tried or are willing to try.

Until Next Time,

The Vagina Liberator