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Have you already experienced pleasure simply by rubbing yourself against a pillow, cushion, or even a partner? If you answered yes, then you know what dry humping is. This practice is super arousing, quite instinctive, and is often people’s first sexual experience. Some see it as a sign of clumsiness or awkwardness, recently however, people are rediscovering how good dry humping feels.
What is it about dry humping that makes it feel so good, and how can you enjoy it during solo exploration or with a partner?
Don’t be fooled, this may seem like a simple rocking motion, but those adept will tell you that there’s actually a lot more to it. Behind the simple back and forth lies a world of intimate pleasure that takes us back to the basics of sensory play.
What is Dry Humping?
‘To dry hump’, means to rub yourself against something, and is a sexual term for providing stimulation by rubbing your genitals
against an object
or another person. In slang terms, humping is also a synonym for penetrative sex, but in this case, we’re talking specifically about dry humping, aka penetration free erotic stimulation.
There are loads of ways to explore dry humping, from the classic rubbing yourself against a pillow, a cushion, or a piece of furniture, to using your partner’s thighs as a mode of stimulation. For a lot of people, dry humping is one of the first introductions they have to the world of pleasure, often during adolescence.
Dry humping is different from more classic forms of masturbation in the sense that it puts less focus on the genital areas, and relies on an instinctive approach that provides sensations all over the body. Pleasure comes from moving, rubbing against something, and can sometimes be intensified by delving into fantasy and imagination. It can even be comforting for some people.
Why We Love Dry Humping
The secret to dry humping is understanding that it offers gradual, gentle stimulation of the erogenous zones. The rubbing motion awakens
sensitive nerve endings located in the clitoris
, pubis, and the penis, in a way that’s much less concentrated on one area, as opposed to classic forms of masturbation. This slow build-up of pleasure encourages intense arousal and restraint, whilst allowing for the imagination to work its magic to make the scene even hotter.
Dry humping also plays around with frustration and control. No penetration, no ‘classic’ moves, simply an increase in erotic tension. For some couples, this can become an integral part of their sex life, as a great way to enjoy physical contact, touching, rubbing — with or without clothes on — to lengthen play.
There’s also an instinctive, almost animal side to dry humping. Rubbing against something as a way to get pleasure is a primal instinct that the body already knows without having to be taught. It can also be a way of reconnecting yourself with pleasure, focusing on spontaneity and pressure-free pleasure instead of worrying about things like performing well or orgasming as fast as possible.
Dry Humping 101
With a bit of creativity, dry humping can be a really fun solo pleasure activity. Try using different objects: a firm cushion, a pillow (normal and body), or even a toy that’s been specially designed for humping. Some sex toys recreate this movement, such as special pillows or specially shaped stimulators. The most important thing is finding the right texture and angle to properly stimulate your intimate area.
A drop of lube can help to make your movements more fluid, as well as helping to avoid any irritation. After that, let your body decide what it enjoys, and don’t put any pressure on yourself.
Dry humping can also be a great thing for partners to explore. Rubbing against one another, even when dressed, helps to create a carnal yet sensual tension. What’s more, it allows couples to explore close physical contact without necessarily resorting to penetration. Some couples like to incorporate it into less intense games of domination, others like to use it as a way to prolong foreplay.
To take things one step further, you can also integrate sex toys into play. Sex pillows, vibrating humping devices, love eggs or even vibrating knickers will add intensity to sensations, all whilst making sure you remain within the realm of dry humping.
What’s the Big Deal?
Dry humping is still seen by many as a childish, clumsy way for people to express pleasure, regardless of the fact that it's actually a natural, well-loved sexual practice. A lot of people discover dry humping before fully understanding its sexual implications, and there’s no reason for us to see this as abnormal. On the contrary, sexologists even deem it as a healthy way to masturbate, as it’s great to help someone learn more about their body and how they experience pleasure.
Reasserting the value of dry humping within our sexual practices brings us a step closer to accepting the fact that pleasure isn’t simply found during penetration or other sexual norms. It gives way for people to explore pure sensuality, allowing them to connect to their body via a simple, instinctive move that is designed to feel good.
