Blindfolds for beginners: Breaking down sensory deprivation

Nazma Kazani - Jun 07, 2024

Unlock the pleasure in inhibiting your most dominant sense

Pleasure is the definition of a sensory overload. Consciously or subconsciously, we use all our five senses while getting down. We feel the softness of our lover’s skin, smell their sweat, taste them from top to bottom, and let out soft moans when we experience pleasure. Last but not least, we get titillated by the vision of their curves, and feel a deep connection when their eyes meet ours.

Who doesn’t love ogling at their partner’s bodacious body? Pointing out and playing with their hip dips, tattoos, and scars. All the things that make them them. But as visual beings, we also love seeing the coming together of bodies: intertwining their hands with ours or clicking that cheeky couple mirror selfie.

What we see affects us physically and emotionally. At the end of the day, our senses are the ultimate sources of pleasure. But preventing one sense from doing what it’s supposed to do can have an equally arousing effect. Keep reading to learn the basics of blindfolds and the joys of sensory deprivation.

What Is Sensory Deprivation?

Sensory deprivation involves taking away one or more of the senses during intimate play. By taking one sense away, the others get even more heightened, often leading to surprising and unexpected sensations. It can also be a solo date idea for you!

The world we live in prides itself on sensory maximalism. Even when it comes to sex, we can’t get enough stimuli. If anything, we feel the need to dial up that intensity in bed during . But ever wondered why a connoisseur of food prefers a meal with subtle flavours of sweet, salty, spicy and umami? It’s because our brain loves to connect the dots and develop its own joyful narrative, by removing the dominance of strong sensory input. When you apply the same principle with bedroom essentials, letting your mind fill the gap between reduced inputs will unleash ecstatic satisfaction.

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Where Should I Start?

“I shut my eyes in order to see.” — Paul Gauguin

For most if not all of us, our sight is the most dominant sense. But the second we put on a mask or a blindfold, we immediately focus more on what we’re hearing, the smells in the air, and every touch becomes a surprise.

It’s a safe space, so you know your partner will only administer pleasure– but you can’t see, and you have no idea what’s coming, what part they will touch or use a full body massager on. Best of all, you don’t know if you’re going to receive a kiss, caress, cuddle or spank. You’re literally in the dark, anticipating their next move. Instead of relying on your eyes to guide you, you can let your body do the talking as you discover the secret language of your senses.

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Remember, it’s all about the journey, so bring in that blindfold right when things start to heat up. Doctor of Human Sexuality and acclaimed podcaster Emily Morris says, “A considerate lover knows that any successful romp must be accompanied by an appropriate warm-up, and using a blindfold is no different. Testing the waters is crucial to easing you or your partner into a trance of pleasure—You have to wake up those senses and prepare them for what’s to come, after all!”

She encourages the partner that can see to take advantage of the blindfold and mix things up. Throw in a move that’s different from the same old routine. Ask if your partner likes to be massaged with warm essential oils. (If they say yes, give Melt massage candles a try. Even a slight variation will throw you off, but it's best to start with a soft feather-like touch before accelerating to any spanking (if that’s your thing).

What Makes It So Sensual?

Blindfold sex can strengthen your bond. Put quite simply, it's the sexual equivalent of a trust fall. Allowing yourself to be blindfolded while your partner takes the reins requires serious trust. When they earn it with each new and pleasurable move, you feel closer and safer with your partner, making intimacy—even sans sensory deprivation—much better.

It effs the inhibitions. Not seeing makes you focus less on how you are seen. This turns down your insecurities and turns up your expressions. Even if you're the blindfolder, you witness the raw reaction of your partner, making the fuTn go full circle.

Gateway to more. If you want to venture into the world of exploration, blindfolds are a great place to start. Once you’ve given it a go, you’ll feel more confident to add more toys, tricks and treats to the mix.