What Is Gooning? Riding The Pleasure Trance on the Edge of Orgasm

Last Updated on 4 November, 2025 by Cara Sutra

What is gooning? I hear you ask. Some of you might know exactly what it is, but gooning was new to me (the phrase, certainly not the activity!) so of course I did my research. This prolonged dance on the edge of orgasm is extremely interesting to me, as I’ve long been fascinated by the altered mind state that happens through masturbatory edging and repeated orgasm tease and denial.

What Is Gooning?

I’ve written about edging before, but gooning is a little different. Gooning is a specific style of edging where the goal isn’t orgasm, but a trance-like state which comes from prolonged stimulation and complete immersion in the arousal. Instead of the typical steady wanking, then releasing through orgasm, you sink deeper and deeper into a sensation loop, zoning out until time, thought and reality blur. This activity isn’t about reaching climax; the goal shifts away from orgasm and instead focuses on complete surrender to erotic autopilot.

So, gooning is when you enter an altered arousal headspace created by continuous edging. Your body stays on the brink of orgasm for a long time, and the mind becomes transfixed on the sensation, fantasy and any visual stimulation. It’s like drifting into a floaty, mindless pleasure state where rational thought disappears and it’s all about the sensation. It’s highly immersive and can feel ritualistic, like masturbatory meditation.

👉 Related: Is too much masturbation bad for you?

Origins of the Term

The word ‘gooning’ originated in online edging communities and masturbation forums (such as Reddit, Discord and the Aneros forum), where users compared the tranced-out state to a vacant, blissed-out stare. The terms ‘goon pit’ or ‘goon cave’ are often used, which refer to the space or mindset when someone intentionally sinks into extended edging. This might be through porn loops, sex toys or immersive audio. Over time it became a recognised kink practice rather than just a nickname for zoning out while masturbating.

How Gooning Differs from Edging

Edging usually has an orgasmic destination. You might edge to simply delay orgasm, which can make it feel stronger when it finally happens. Gooning doesn’t view climax as the goal, sometimes not even as an outcome at all. It’s all about staying on the brink for as long as possible and letting the body ride the wave of arousal. The whole point of gooning is the trance, the floaty mind space you enter, rather than an activity which inevitably leads to orgasm.

Masturbatory edging also often has kink connotations. It’s paired with chastity fetish, or third-party orgasm control via a Dom or Domme. Gooning, in contrast, arose from mainstream ‘jerk-off’ communities where it’s all about the sexual pleasure, and the only control involved is personally avoiding orgasm so that the sensation wave continues for as long as possible.

Why People Goon

Gooning appeals because it’s a different yet extremely effective and immersive kind of sexual pleasure. Instead of the usual fast stim then orgasm, it’s a session devoted to the build-up of sensation. There’s no pressure or rush to cum, it’s all about the orgasmic wave rather than exploding that load and losing the sensation. It’s also a mental escape; when you’re gooning, you completely zone out from life’s stresses and worries, and the focus is on the pleasure felt in the moment.

The arousal loop in gooning is its own reward. The pleasure is in hovering, not the ending. Intentionally holding yourself in the build-up state takes your mind out of distraction and reality, and into raw sensation. Gooning is often described as a surreal experience, meditative, hypnotic even. The more you tease yourself, the deeper you drift in the pleasure trance.

Fantasy, Porn and Sensory Overload

Fans of gooning often use visual stim in order to get in the right mindset and continue the enjoyment for as long as possible. This is often through watching porn, especially loops or repeated clips, scrolling through sexual fantasy triggers or listening to erotic audio. The repetition reinforces the trance-like effect.

Porn enjoyed during gooning isn’t being used in the typical way, where someone will watch a bit to help them reach orgasm as fast as possible. Instead, it’s a feedback loop for arousal, deepening the instinctive response from the mind and lengthening the time pleasure is felt through the body. The prolonging of sensory overload is a huge part of the appeal.

Links to Chastity and Denial

Although gooning is strongly linked with non-kinky masturbatory activity, it can of course be enjoyed by kinky types too. It blends naturally with chastity fetish and orgasm denial because it rewards endurance and involves control and surrender. Even without a Dominant partner enforcing rules, some gooning fans self-impose denial as part of the ritual. Others use gooning as a way to heighten the sense of desperation felt before release, particularly when combined with chastity cages, timed countdowns or permission-based orgasms.

In a BDSM context, the arousal trance becomes a headspace which mirrors submission, a subspace where the body responds automatically while the conscious mind drifts in that surrendered state.

How Gooning Is Done

I can only tell you about how some people goon; as with most sexual activities, there are no set rules or methods.

You might reach gooning state through repetition and duration rather than the intensity of self-stimulation. As we’ve discussed, the focus is on remaining aroused rather than escalating towards orgasm, so the build is slow and continuous. Your position will likely be relaxed and passive as the body eventually slips into a rhythm of its own. Some people zone out visually, others sink into the fantasy, or you might focus entirely on a single sensation until rational thought gives way to pure instinct.

Tools and Toys Used for Gooning

Gooning is all about sustained sensation rather than a short burst of stim then orgasm, so sex toys that support long pleasure sessions without any discomfort are what you need.

Opt for soft strokers (USA / UK) designed for extended edging, and pair with top quality lubes that don’t turn tacky or dry out quickly. If you’re into vibes, choose vibrating masturbators (USA / UK + EU) which can maintain a steady pulse rather than escalating the pleasure. People with a prostate often rave about the effects of simply rocking on a cleverly designed prostate massager, such as the ever-popular Aneros Progasm. Make sure you buy top quality toys from trusted brands to ensure safety.

It isn’t all about the tools you use, though, it’s about the sensation and mindset. Sex toys are just an optional facilitator.

👉 Related: Discover the Top 10 Masturbator Toys at Lovehoney.com & Lovehoney.co.uk

Physical Effects on Arousal

What sort of physical effects can you expect when gooning? Well, your body remains in a prolonged state of sexual arousal, so blood flow is elevated and you will feel extremely sensitive. There can be an almost hot, swollen and overstimulated feeling which becomes part of the pleasure trance. The longer you stay on the orgasmic brink, the easier it becomes for your mind to stop analysing every sensation. Your headspace feels altered, and some people describe it as slipping into a state of submission – subspace – even without a partner involved.

Practical Risks of Gooning

Any downsides to gooning? This is a common worry, but the main risks are all fairly obvious. You can lose a lot of time to the practice, and prolonged self-stim can lead to friction. Gooning as a practice isn’t harmful in itself, but edging for long periods, especially without lube or breaks, can lead to irritation or discomfort.

👉 Top tip: Make sure you avoid friction irritation by investing in top quality sex lube (USA / UK)

The practice can also be addictive by nature, so beware of slipping into compulsive patterns rather than simply enjoying it as part of a balanced life. The dangers don’t come from the activity or desire, but practical considerations and lack of balance.

Psychological Overuse vs Healthy Exploration

If you’re worried about how much you’re gooning and if it’s having any negative effects, take a moment to consider how it really feels for you. Healthy sexual activity feels chosen and rewarding. Problematic gooning feels obsessive, compulsory and ultimately, hollow. The difference comes from if you’re genuinely in control.

After a while, gooning may also make deliberate climax more difficult at times. This isn’t a sign of permanent damage, just temporary fatigue. The body is surprisingly quick to learn patterns of behaviour, but it will eventually adapt back once stimulation patterns shift again. Mix things up in your sex life rather than constantly returning to one specific activity.

How To Goon Safely

There aren’t a lot of risks to gooning, as I’ve mentioned already, but there are definitely a few ways you can make the activity even safer and more enjoyable.

• Pace yourself
• Stay hydrated
• Use lube
• Take regular breaks
• Set rough boundaries re duration or intensity
• Check in with your own body to ensure you’re grounded in choice, not compulsion

If You Want to Orgasm During or After

Is it wrong to orgasm during or after gooning? First of all, stop worrying about rules! It’s your body, your pleasure, your way. Do what feels good to you. You might choose to let yourself orgasm at the end of a long gooning session or save it for later.

If you struggle to go from edging pleasure trance to actively seeking orgasm, try changing the stimulation type, pressure or speed. You’ll likely do this naturally. There’s no right or wrong, just actions which either fit your desires and intention, or they don’t.

When to Reduce or Take a Break

You might consider pausing your gooning habits if you find yourself slipping into the goon state automatically rather than intentionally. Pausing for a bit and switching to different masturbation or sex activities can help you regain your baseline sensitivity and orgasmic triggers.

Partnered or Shared Gooning

Although I’ve mainly talked about gooning as a solo practice, a different method of masturbation, there’s no reason why you can’t share the fun with a partner. This might be as part of a typical relationship sex life or through BDSM power exchange dynamics.

This is of particular personal interest to me, as I’m a Domme in the FemDom aspect of the BDSM scene. The Dominant partner can set duration, denial rules or permit only certain types of porn for viewing. This opens up fascinating mental and sexual conditioning potential. The submissive partner may goon under guidance, caged or uncaged, depending on your specific dynamic. Yes, it’s possible to self-stimulate even whilst wearing a chastity cage, just use your imagination (as well as humping, nipples, testicles, anus…).

The trance experienced in this way becomes an act of service or surrender rather than a personal indulgence.

In Conclusion

Gooning is an activity rooted in psychological immersion, blended with physical sensation and desire, resulting in an erotic trance. This is masturbatory edging taken beyond technique and into a deeper headspace, where sexual pleasure is so prolonged that the pre-orgasmic sensation becomes its own reward.

Some people goon casually, some form rituals around it and others blend it with chastity kink and orgasm denial for deeper psychological intensity.

As with any sexual activity or kink, gooning is safe when it’s intentional, paced, and grounded in chosen pleasure rather than addiction or obsession. The goal here is to enjoy the pleasure trance rather than race towards orgasm. When done mindfully, gooning can be a powerful and deeply satisfying way of exploring the full breadth of your arousal.

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Sources

Mel Magazine – What is Gooning?

Sexual Culture – Visit to the Goon Cave