Let's Get Aroused!

Arousal. What is it? It may seem obvious to some people. Essentially, it’s a nicer way of saying horny or turned-on, right? Well, yes, but personally that still leaves me with some questions. For instance: What happens to the body during arousal? How does someone become aroused? What tools exist to help us increase our arousal?

Let’s dive in.

When the body becomes sexually aroused blood pressure, heart rate, breath rate and temperature all increase; the nipples, labia, clitoras, and penis all fill with blood. The extra blood increases the sensitivity in those tissues and touch often becomes pleasurable. Further, the penis becomes erect and the vaginal canal expands and lubricates. Both organs are then prepared for penetration (although penetration is common, it isn’t a necessary component of a sexual encounter or to achieve an orgasm).

It’s pretty cool to know the specific effects arousal has on our body, isn’t it? Now, let’s talk about the different ways one may become aroused. We all find different things sexually attractive and we all have our personal preferences. Some people have fetishes that may seem more rare or to be on the fringes- that's okay too (as long as no one's hurt in the process). The main point I want to highlight is the different avenues one can take to become aroused, or create arousal in their partner. The three main avenues of arousal are tactile, visual, and auditory. In other words, people can be turned on by touch alone, watching something, like porn, or even hearing something erotic, such as dirty talk.

Another important point on arousal I'd like to make is its relationship with relaxation. Many of us know the deep lull that pervades our mind and body following a sheet-grabbing orgasm. Often, though, that sheet-grabbing orgasm seems to be out of reach for whatever reason. What many people don’t realize is that a healthy level of relaxation is a prerequisite for a great orgasm. Not only does a restful state of our nervous system allow for more satisfying orgasms, but also aids in better digestion, sleep, and healing. Meditation, deep breathing, creating a safe environment, and whatever other self-care activity suits you is a good way to promote optimal arousal.

Lastly, I want to leave you with a tool for promoting increased sensitivity to the sex organs and therefore greater pleasure: arousal oils (or cream/gel/serum). Arousal boosting products are known as liquid vibrators for a reason: they contain active ingredients that sensitize the area they’re applied, providing more pleasure and ideally greater orgasms. Most commonly arousal oils are marketed for clitoral use, although they may have similar effects on penises and nipples. Some arousal oils have cooling or warming effects. Some don’t give a temperature effect at all, but rather just pure buzzing or vibration.

These are a few of our customer favorites:

Wow Max O Clitoral Arousal by Wet

System Jo’s Buzzy

Awaken by Wicked

Using an arousal product can truly awaken your senses in new and exciting ways. Arousal tools are just one way to deepen your sexual experiences.

Clearly there is so much more to getting turned on than the anatomical processes. There are the big three avenues of becoming aroused: tactile, visual, and auditory, yet some have more unique kinks as well. Whatever it is that makes you feel pleasure, practicing self care techniques will help your nervous systems relax and allow you to achieve more fulfilling orgasms. Learning what sensations make you most aroused, embracing what makes you feel good, and even venturing out to explore “a liquid vibrator” can all be helpful techniques in achieving more fulfilling sexual experience! 

Sources:

Parenthood, P. (n.d.). Arousal. Planned Parenthood. Retrieved March 17, 2022, from https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sex-pleasure-and-sexual-dysfunction/sex-and-pleasure/arousal#:~:text=Your%20blood%20pressure%2C%20heart%20rate,lubricates%20(gets%20wet)%20and%20expands