What Is Guided Masturbation? Your Complete Guide

At a Glance

• What it is: Guided masturbation is audio-only content where a "guide" talks you through your session, telling you when and how to touch yourself. Think of it as the more explicit version of guided meditation, minus any visuals.
• Who it's for: There are guides for every sexual orientation and preference, from those who want a storyline to those who just want direct instruction. All you need is a device, some privacy, and a pair of headphones.
• How it helps with edging: Many guided masturbation tracks are built specifically around edging, taking you to the brink of orgasm and then backing you off repeatedly. This can produce noticeably stronger orgasms and help with lasting longer during partnered sex.
• The mindfulness angle: Without a visual component, you're forced to close your eyes and stay present in your body. That slower, more attentive approach teaches you what actually feels good rather than just what gets you to the finish line fast.
• Other ways to mix it up: The post also covers mutual masturbation, setting a mood for solo sessions, and the case for trying prostate massagers if you haven't already.

Are you tired of masturbating alone? Is porn losing its luster? Guided masturbation may be just what you need to make self-love exciting again.

If you haven't heard of guided masturbation before, think of it as the naughtier version of guided meditation. Want to know more?

We've got all the dirty details on how you can take your masturbation sessions to a whole new level.

Why Masturbation Is Important

Masturbation has always been something that gets talked about on the down low. Much of that secretiveness comes from how many people talk about masturbation, especially when we're young.

Touching yourself is often villainized as a shameful thing that only bad kids do or even as a sin. While we're not discounting religious beliefs, nothing could be further from the truth.

Masturbation is normal and can even be good for you. Orgasms flood your body with "happy" endorphins and hormones like dopamine and oxytocin. After a good masturbation sesh (pending some post-nut clarity, of course), you'll also feel relaxed and might even experience a reprieve from physical discomfort.

But you don't have to have an orgasm to enjoy masturbation. Even setting aside time for yourself (because self-love is self-care, after all) can remind you how important you are and how much you deserve time to yourself. Some people even use masturbation as a sleep aid.

So don't feel bad about taking time out to pleasure yourself. You're doing yourself a favor!

So, What Is Guided Masturbation?

At its core, guided masturbation is essentially porn without the visual component. But don't worry; we promise you won't miss any action.

With guided masturbation, your "guide" talks you through your session. They'll often tell you when and how to touch yourself, allowing you to lay back and be truly present in your body instead of imagining the scenario yourself.

Guided masturbation has something for everyone, too. It doesn't matter if you're gay, straight, bisexual, pansexual, or anywhere in between — there's a guide for you. If you like a lot of narrative or storyline when you're pleasuring yourself, that's available. If you'd rather get straight to the point or have someone tell you exactly what to do, you can find that too!

All you need to enjoy guided meditation is a computer or smartphone, some time and space to yourself, and a pair of headphones (you can do it without them, but it definitely makes things more intimate and enjoyable).

Don't be afraid to try multiple websites or voice artists until you find one that really turns you on. This is your time; spend it with someone who really gets you going.

Guided Masturbation and Edging

One specific benefit of guided masturbation is that there are guides that can help you learn to edge yourself. If you're unfamiliar with the concept of edging, it's a sexual technique that can be used either solo or with a partner to help improve your sex life in many ways.

For instance, edging can help if you feel like you're not lasting as long as you'd like in the bedroom. Edging can also improve your orgasms, taking them from an "eh" to a toe-curling "wow." It's the perfect sexual life hack, and you don't even need special equipment or a trip to the doctor to do it. A vibrating cock ring can also be used alongside this by helping maintain erection strength and adding steady stimulation, which can make the buildup feel more controlled and intense.

Edging involves pleasuring yourself until you're close to having an orgasm, then abruptly stopping and allowing that feeling to recede. Once you're not about to blow, you resume masturbation. Repeat as many times as you want before letting yourself go over the edge (hence the name) and having a mind-blowing orgasm.

Guided masturbation that focuses on edging can help take the guesswork out of it (or add an element of BDSM into it, if that's your thing). When someone else controls how and when you can get off, you can just relax and enjoy the ride.

Guided Masturbation and Mindfulness

Another perk of using an audio-only guided masturbation track to enjoy some self-love is its ability to help you experience your body more mindfully. Unfortunately, masturbation can very easily become something you bust out at hyperspeed — we focus a lot of our attention on the result and not the journey.

With guided masturbation, you're enjoying pleasure at a more leisurely speed. Masturbation is an event, not a time trial. Plus, without a visual component, you can close your eyes and enjoy the sensation of touching yourself in a way you likely haven't before.

You can take the time to exist fully in your body, feel each stroke, and treat yourself the way you'd want your lover to treat you. You might even learn something about what turns you on and what you're into!

Other Ways To Switch Up Your Self-Love Sessions

Masturbation always feels good, but you don't want it to get boring or just become a race to see how fast you can get off. If you're tired of the same routine, we have a few suggestions for mixing it up and keeping it fresh.

Involve Your Partner

Touching yourself is something you do alone, right? Not so fast! While most people do prefer to masturbate by themselves, involving your partner is a fun and exciting way to put a new spin on your sex life.

There are multiple benefits to mutual masturbation. For instance, masturbating next to your partner lets you gain insight into how they likely touch themselves when they're alone. That way, the next time you and your partner are intimate, you can recreate the rhythm, motion, and pressure that turns them on the most.

Mutual masturbation also helps you do the same for your partner — you'll be amazed at how much better your sex life can get when you have the right tools to do the job!

Plus, masturbating with your partner (instead of solo) is an immediate intimacy boost. Intimacy isn't just about having sex, after all. Anything you do with your partner to build and strengthen your bond is good, so don't be afraid to suggest something new. Changing your routine keeps things fresh in the bedroom, which also improves your relationship outside of it.

Try New Sexual Aids

Another way to keep your self-love life interesting is to involve new sexual aids. Technology continues to advance, so you can be sure that there is something out there regardless of your body or how you like to pleasure yourself.

If you have a prostate, we strongly urge you to look into a vibrating prostate massager or vibrating prostate plug. If you haven't dipped your toes into the exciting world of prostate massage, there's no time like the present.

The prostate may be small, but it can introduce you to a whole new type of pleasure (hello, prostate orgasms). There's a reason people refer to the prostate as the P-spot; for people born without female anatomy, its pleasure-potential rivals the G-spot!

It's also not as intimidating to use a prostate massager as you may think. Even if you're inexperienced in anal play, prostate massagers take away the guesswork. You don't have to know exactly where your prostate is to use one because they're already designed for precise prostate stimulation.

All you need to do is apply plenty of lubrication (this is non-negotiable for both pleasure and safety; the anus can't make any of its own) and get comfortable with insertion. Start small, and stop if you experience any pain or discomfort.

Set the Mood

Just because you're having a solo sesh doesn't mean you can't treat yourself. Masturbation doesn't always have to be something you do as quickly as possible in the shower (although there's nothing wrong with treating yourself every once in a while). Remember, self-love is a form of self-care, so treat yourself well.

The next time you plan on spending some time in Pleasure Town, block out your schedule. Take steps to ensure you have the house to yourself and you won't be interrupted. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb (or turn it off entirely if you use your computer for guided masturbation).

Pour a glass of your favorite beverage, light a few candles, dim the lights, and put your sexiest sheets on the bed. There's nothing wrong with reminding yourself that you're worthy of nice things, even when you're by yourself.

In Summary

Guided masturbation is like guided meditation's kinky cousin. If you're looking for something to spice up your self-love sessions, why not give it a try? Everyone has options, no matter their sexuality, gender identity, or sexual preferences.

These audio-only guided journeys will help you experience your body and self-pleasure in a new and exciting way and can make masturbation fun again. Plus, it helps reconnect you with your body and pleasure yourself in a more mindful way — what's not to love?