Table of Contents

• Overview
• Precautions & Safety
• Power Boxes
• Electrodes
• Your first session
• Glossary

Overview

This diagram of an electrocuted body is in my opinion, the unofficial avatar of e-stim and immediately familiar to any online community members.

Electro, e-stim, stimming in a BDSM context refers to using electricity in play, for pleasure, pain and everything in between. Using e-stim can provide a wonderful and expansive range of sensations as well as hands-free orgasm. Many users of e-stim, or stimmers, become lifelong enthusiasts and it's easy to see why when you explore all of the possibilities and have your first electric release!

How it works

Traditionally, electrical stimulation has been used in therapeutic contexts to stimulate muscles and nerves for pain relief and muscle recovery.

The two terms typically associated with these therapeutic power boxes that perform this are TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) and EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation). These boxes typically deliver current through electrodes attached to the skin, typically via conductive sticky pads. This current is usually delivered in rhythmic patterns at an intensity controlled by the user. An electrode is merely a conductive object which can pass electricity.

Electricity runs in a circuit from a positive end to a negative end. Power is sent out to a positive electrode, which seeks out the negative electrode, which then completes a circuit back to the box. In practice, this could be a positive electrode loop around your cock head, which then flows through your skin, nerves and muscle towards a negative electrode loop around the base of your cock and balls. Thus, a controlled circuit lights up your cock and makes you shoot (or squirm)

Additionally, devices such as violet wands typically use glass electrodes delivering a low-amperage, high-frequency current which can be applied to create static sparks on the body, which many people find exciting. These devices can be set up in such a way that the user themselves becomes conductive, and they can use their fingers or jewellery on their body to deliver current to the receiver directly, which is a deeply intimate type of play.

What does e-stim feel like?

When people think of electricity, they typically think of getting a sharp shock from a static electric discharge or touching a live circuit by accident.

Much like impact play has a wide range of sensations from soft to thumpy to sharp, a controlled electric current delivered by a power box can feel like a tingling or vibrating sensation, which can progress into a stronger current that activates muscles, creating a gripping feeling. Nerve stimulation can range from fuzzy and soft to pleasurable like a vibrator to sharp and painful, but with a good power box, this is carefully controlled.

The frequency of the current can also change the range of feeling. Low frequency currents will feel like a 'clicking' whereas high frequency currents will have a distinct feeling of the nerves being vibrated directly.

Is it safe?

Generally, e-stim is safe when precautions are taken and reliable gear is used, but e-stim is not safe for everyone. See Precautions & Safety for more details.

As with all higher-risk forms of play, it's important to be informed and to have discussions with your play partners before playing with electricity.

Precautions & Safety

Before playing, recognise that you are playing with electricity. Electricity in a controlled format is safe and fun. However, it can also poses a risk of bodily harm and death if you do not follow precautions.

Pacemakers, Health Conditions

• If you use a pacemaker or have a condition where your heart may be more sensitive to an interrupting electrical current, consult a medical professional before using an e-stim device.
• Don't place electrodes on damaged skin, it will burn and damage your skin.
• It goes without saying, but if you're pregnant, don't do e-stim.

⚠️ DO NOT create circuits that have the potential to pass through the heart.

READ ABOVE. Your heart runs on sensitive electric impulses. Passing electricity through the heart introduces the risk of fatal arrythmia and cardiac arrest. This is the golden rule of e-stim.

Don't place electrodes above the waist – this is the foundational rule for many players. You may have seen instances of electro being used on nipples or across the arms – this is a recipe for disaster if you do not know exactly what you are doing, so it's best to avoid this altogether if you are not already familiar with bipolar circuits.

• This includes temporary contact shifts via touching an active current. Don't touch electrodes while they are operating – you may inadvertently create a circuit up your arm and through your chest. Stop the current if you need to adjust.
• If do do use electro above the waist, don't do anything that can create a current path across the chest. Nipple play should use bi-polar nipple electrodes, not a single pole on each.
• Violet wands are somewhat excluded from this rule as they produce a very low current at high frequencies which do not typically penetrate the skin.

Everyone has a risk tolerance, but the recommendation is to not fuck around and find out, especially if you are putting someone elses wellbeing into your hands.

Don't cheap out

It's tempting to experiment with a makeshift current or cheap TENS unit but it's recommended to start with a box purpose built for e-stim play, for two reasons. Firstly, it's going to be more fun. Devices designed for play have purpose-built programmes and settings designed for pleasure and fun. Secondly, the more reputable boxes have safety mechanisms built in, such as fully isolated channels and cutoffs and are typically battery powered so there's no risk of a current spike.

It's never been a better time to get started. Power boxes like the DG Labs Coyote 3 are fully-featured and great value for money. When your interests develop, you can explore more advanced boxes and schematics.

Always start from zero

As a general rule, if you don't know how a program is going to feel or are using a new electrode position, start from zero. A power level that feels weak when the electrodes are far apart will feel painful in another position. Certain parts of the body are more sensitive to electricity. Start from 0 and slowly ramp up.

Know how to switch the box off

It's going to happen – you'll accidentally turn on a sharp pattern, and the power will be set high. Know how to cut the power – this will be either via an off button, switching pattern, or pulling the electrode cable out directly. Be ready to do this, especially if you play with others.

Power Boxes

A good power box is the foundation of a traditional e-stim experience and dictates many aspects of your sessions. When shopping for a power box, consider the following factors:

• What is your skill level? If you're new, it's better to go for a mainstream box with a community centred around it.
• Do you need it to be portable? Consider a box that operates on battery power and is not too large.
• What connectors does it uses? 2.5mm and 3.5mm jacks are widely available with simple adapters. TENS plugs (the plastic kind) can be a nuisance the to get adapters for.

General Recommendations

These are my (@hobbler)'s recommendations and your mileage may very.

The best value for money – DG Labs Coyote 3.0

Pictured: DG Labs Coyote 3.0 and various accessories. (Source: eBay)

At under $100, DG Labs have challenged the status quo of big overpriced boxes running on clunky software with a highly affordable unit – it's the size of a credit card with USB-C charging, great output power, an all-star box with one caveat – a lack of tangible controls. There are technically paddle controls to increase or decrease the power, but these aren't really useful. The official app is overengineered, but there is a better way – an app called Howl. Get yourself an Android device and the Coyote is a wonder box when running on Howl, with all kinds of preset pattern generators as well as great audio file support. While Howl uses a propietary format for audio files, the developer converted the entire Stimfile Archive so you will have hundreds of programmes to play with as well as a seriously good pattern generator.

For Tangible Controls – E-Stim Systems 2B, ErosTek ET312, Electrastim EM140, ZC95

Pictured: ErosTek ET312 and Elway's µ312

These boxes are better for playing with others as they have tangible knobs which make it easier to control a scene on the fly. These boxes rely less on using an app and are ready to go out of the box.

The E-Stim Systems 2B is the one everyone knows, and a generally good all-purpose box. You've got two channels, adjustable knobs, a variety of inbuilt programmes. There's also software to set it up to be controlled remotely, although any box with an audio input can do this nowadays. This is a solid all-rounder, albeit really needing an updated model in my opinion.

The Electrastim EM140 has fabulous power output and some great inbuilt programmes. My personal favourites are P2, P6, and P9. However, be aware – it uses those annoying TENS connectors and it cannot do stereo output for audio inputs, this was ultimately a dealbreaker for me when I moved into stimfiles. I can't personally recommend paying full price for it but there are folks selling it second-hand from time to time.

The ErosTek ET312 is iconic with its giant beige box that means business with a powerful output and inbuilt programmes that all good players know about. ErosTek themselves are a little sketchy (and I will simply not link to them here), but there are alternatives in the form of the MK312BT as well as a wonderful reproduction called the µ312 which is my personal go-to box. Functionally the same as the 312 but in a compact package and USB-C rechargeable. If you find Elway through Reddit or Discord channels you can ask him to make you one. I'd recommend not supporting ErosTek with your money but by all means, get one of the repro boxes.

If 2 channels just isn't enough, the ZC95 and Model X1 offer 4 channels of output. the X1 in particular is a very showy box you've probably more likely seen in porn, with the ZC95 a box for the real world.

For Advanced Players – Stereostim boxes, FOC-Stim

Pictured: FOC-Stim, homemade

Stereostim boxes are a full-manual approach to e-stim, but offer the very best experience. There are no inbuilt patterns, so you'll need to feed it audio files, but rather than digitally convert and alter the sound, stereostim directly translates sound to current. This opens up a whole new world of experiences when you explore stimfile programmes, and the Stimfile Archive is a magnificent repository of programmes. Users typically build there own from schematics, but there is a reputable box, the Stimkit Tingler 1, which is a good out of the box solution, when it's in stock.

There are some experimental kits out there, namely FOC-Stim which offers an entirely different approach to channel-based kits, and allows the user to directionally control the sensation between electrodes. This is a little out of my depth, but the people I know who've tried it love it.

Electrodes

Your electrodes are how you carry the electric current to parts of your body. There are generally three categories of electrodes: Sticky pads, loops, and insertibles.

Sticky Pads

Examples of sticky pads. (Source: E-Stim Systems)

These are sticky pads with a cable hanging out the end. These are very versatile but may cause contact issues if not placed carefully. They come in different sizes, fittings and quality of stickiness, so if you get a set that didn't work well, try another.

Loops

Examples of various loops and placement. (Source: E-Stim Systems)

These are a key part of an e-stim kit for cock stimulation – you can typically find these in the form of rubber loops (where you plug the ends into the open tube) or fabric bands with a conductive metal panel (often the "PES style" snap fittings, like you see on a leather shirt.

Conductive rubber loops (CR Loops for short will lose their conductivity over time. A telltale sign of this is when the same power setting starts to feel less powerful, and turning up the power produces more stinginess than smoothness.

You can also get metal rings designed to sit around the base of your cock and balls or directly on the shaft itself. Metal rings are the most conductive and will last longer, but there is less flexibility on fit. It's important these are well-fitting and lubed to avoid arcs caused by distance between your skin and the electrode.

Insertables

E-Stim Systems Moaner, one of the best insertables. (Source: E-Stim Systems)

As the name suggests, these are designed to be inserted into a part of the body, typically the anus, vagina or urethra. Hole Insertables are often bipolar, for the purposes of creating the sensation of being fucked. Urethral insertables will typically be attached to a glans ring for holding them in place and require the the usual precautions as sounds (must be sterile, lubed, and handled with care)

Contact

When electrodes are in contact with your skin, if the contact is not 100%, electricity will arc and sting your skin, and potentially burn it with prolonged arcing. Good electrode contact can make the difference between a stinging, unpleasant session and a wildly pleasurable one.

You can use water-based lube, but it will tend to dry out, and things start to sting. The best choice here is to use a conductive gel, such as Spectra 360. This blue toothpaste tube is a familiar sight in any e-stim kit and a solid reliable. It is also possible to make lubes conductive by adding salt. Many players cite adding salt to J-Lube can provide a long-lasting and effective conductive lube.

Keep your gel nearby in case you need to apply more. Some players also use a spray bottle to keep things hydrated.

Conductive lube and gel = smooth, pleasurable current flow.

Placement of Electrodes

The placement of electrodes is one of the most critical parts to making e-stim feel pleasurable or painful. Stick with the trusted placements before experimenting:

• One loop/electrode around base of your shaft (preferably under the shaft or on the perineum, if a sticky pad).
• One loop/electrodes around the base of the glans (preferably on the underside).

If you are using e-stim on a penis, try to avoid passing electricity directly through the dorsal nerve. this is a large nerve that runs through the top of your penis (hence the name). Stimulating this nerve does elicits more pain than pleasure and makes enjoying the session difficult.

• Don't plug both pins into a single cock loop – the current has nowhere to travel on your body and it's likely going to just hurt.
• Be careful when using lube - loops can shift if not tightened appropriately and zap you as they slip off your head or slide closer together.
• Try to aim for 'anchor' points with loops – namely, under your glans or around the base of your penis and balls. This reduces the chances of loops slipping around.
• Don't try creative setups until you have more experience. Stick with one channel for your genitals and one for an insertable.

A top resource for placement references is to Joanne's excellent guide on electrode placements. Joanne is one of the authorities on e-stim and her store is also well-worth checking out if you're willing to purchase form the UK.

Your First Session

With your power box, electrodes, and free time ready, it's time to play. While you may choose to play with buddies, it's highly recommended to start by playing with yourself so you have a better understanding of how e-stim feels, and ensure that you both have a great time.

Before you begin

Make sure you follow all precautions outlined in Precautions & Safety before you use any e-stim devices.

Before you start a session, make sure you have free time put aside and that you will not be disturbed. Unlike regular masturbation, you will have wires and electricity set up and you will not be able to simply zip up your pants and switch off the porn on your screen (unless you're already covertly stimming under your clothes.) Headspace is also a key to a good session and achieving a handsfree orgasm, and taking that pressure off yourself is a good way to mentally unwind and enjoy what you are feeling.

• Make sure to have supplies at the ready, such as towels, lube/gel, something to drink, as it is more difficult to move around with wires attached to you and you don't want a sudden slip on your electrode to shock you.

• Make sure your box has enough battery life. It is frustrating to run out of power mid-session. Most boxes will indicate if they are low battery and it's probably a good idea to resolve that issue before you start.

• Set up your electrodes before sitting down and switching on the box. That means making sure everything is attached securely, channels are going to the right places, and you've already put on a layer of conductive gel or water-based lube.

• If you plan to use something like poppers, take all the usual precautions you would when using in play, especially avoiding touching the bottle with greasy hands. Personal recommendation is to decant your poppers into another vessel with a saturated cotton ball so there is no risk of spills.

Starting Off

Always ensure you are starting from zero on your box before switching on. If your box is digitally controlled, almost all will start their patterns from zero by default for your safety. Boxes with physical controls will not, and you will inevitably forget to turn them back down after a previous session. Some boxes are considerate of this by having a ramp-up window but you don't want to start with a nasty surprise.

Take your time. Use the start of your session as a way to test conductivity and explore patterns before diving in. Slowly turn up a channel until you feel a light tingling. At this stage, if you are not feeling any sensation by the time you've turned your power to 25%, avoid the temptation to keep pushing up, and take a moment to ensure everything is connected. Let your body acclimate to the electric flow before moving into higher settings and use the lower power to explore what different patterns feel like. If you're feeling spiky sensations at this point, there is a possibility that there is poor contact on one of your electrodes. Make sure electrodes are fitting against the skin and use conductive gel to patch any gaps. You should not be feeling sharp sensations at this point, only tingling.

Going deeper

At this point, you've explored some patterns on your box and you're feeling comfortable. Take this moment to settle on a pattern that felt interesting, and notch up the power incrementally. Only increase by small amounts at a time, and wait. You want to get to a point where it feels stronger but not painful, and settle there for a while. When you get to this point, take a moment to breathe and be present to the sensations. You may feel your muscles contracting at this point rather than the sensation being skin-deep. It's tempting to squeeze your muscles against the electricity but it will feel better if you get used to the sensation of allowing the voltage to do the work.

Adapting if things don't feel good

Occasionally, you'll hit the wrong nerves or something will feel off. For example, you cock loops might be overly stimulating your dorsal nerve (unpleasant nerve sting on the top of your shaft) or your butt plug might be stimulating your leg muscles or your lower back. Take the time to adjust: Turn off all power before touching or adjusting your electrodes to avoid shocking yourself or creating a circuit above your waist, and then move things around, try different positions. If you were using an 'egg' style butt electrode, remove and re-insert it to see if it positions better. Adjust cock loops to a different position, and try again. Don't be disheartened if things simply don't feel good. Occasionally, you'll get a session where your loops lose conductivity, or you can't mentally settle down. In that case, it's better to put your kit away, get off another way, and try again later.

Expectations around orgasm

Of course, everyone who stims is chasing a hands-free orgasm (HFO). Almost everyone with the right box and setup can achieve it, but it takes re-wiring your expectations. An electric orgasm is slower and more controlled than one achieved through typical stimulation – the harder you try to force it, the less likely it is to happen. You have to let go of the need to have a release and just enjoy the sensations, and you'll feel it organically build. Having said that, there are certain factors that can prevent or encourage it from happening:

Many people enjoy the feeling of hanging on the edge for a prolonged period and e-stim is perfect for this. You can adjust the intensity/pattern to slow things down if you feel yourself building up too fast. Electric orgasms tend to be at their best when you climb very slowly to orgasm.

• Rhythmic settings are best for orgasm as they help create a flow state where you can anticipate each pulse and work with it, rather than be caught by surprise by unexpected changes in the pattern.
• Higher frequency pulses are always guaranteed to get you an orgasm, and low frequency can be challenging. Low frequencies feel 'clicky' where you can feel each pulse, whereas higher frequencies feel like a vibrator. The sweet spot on a Coyote 3 for example is 60-100hz, but your box may vary.
• Enhancers like poppers can help you mentally relax and work towards an orgasm more easily, but it's recommended to not rely on this. It is not difficult to achieve a HFO naturally.

Post-Session

If you came, you may notice that the stimulation doesn't feel as uncomfortable as a post-orgasm teasing normally world. Slowly turn down the intensity and enjoy the comedown. Turn off all power before touching any electrodes. Take everything off when you're ready and clean your electrodes and wires while they are still fresh. Turn all your power knobs to zero so they're ready for your next session.

Generally speaking, it's important not to expose electrode connectors to water, so take care to avoid this when cleaning. Ideally, use alcohol wipes or solution or a damp towel and soap to wipe off any lube or cum, or at least angle electrodes under the tap in such a way that water does not directly contact the connector plugs. If you have CR loops, clean the loop and the clip separately, as the spring inside the clips can rust. I'd recommend using some kind of brush on the clips as gunk can build up inside spring clips. Make sure everything is nice and clean so you don't have to worry about it for your next session.