BDSM describes ways to experience intimacy that are infinitely vast– there are classical approaches (from when the acronym was first coined), modern approaches (as technology and sex toys have evolved) and approaches that are brand-new, never thought of, and entirely unique to you. There are tons of umbrella terms that fall under ‘BDSM’ that describe a certain type of play, but these types of play are not meant to be restrictive; they are always open to individual interpretation. We’ll be talking about a certain type of BDSM play that, for total newbies, can elicit shock and intimidation at first glance, but our goal at KinkyBD is to encourage openmindedness, connection, exploring the ‘taboo’, and above all, finding what feels right for you. 

CBT, also known as cock and ball torture, is a well-known term in the BDSM realm, and it’s exactly what you might assume. What you might not assume, however, is that it doesn’t necessarily have to entail the extremity that its name suggests. The word ‘torture’ holds a connotation that makes us think of dungeons, sharp, impaling objects and blood-curdling screams, but in BDSM, it’s not always that dramatic. ‘Tickle torture’ is another term in BDSM, but we can all agree that ‘torture’ by tickling is a far cry from something more medeival-style! In CBT, like with any form of BDSM, there are varying degrees of severity. We’ll go over some scenes that include CBT in order of intensity to demonstrate that anyone can experiment with it– not just those with extreme pain tolerences. As always, remember your safe words and communicate throughout the duration of your playtime– the genitals are most certainly an area where you’d like to avoid serious injury! 

Light CBT: As we discussed before, ‘torture’ doesn’t always suggest actual torture in BDSM. With lighter applications of BDSM toys play, ‘torture’ can simply refer just to teasing and/or stimulation. With light CBT, you can ‘torture’ your partner’s intimate areas without hurting or overwhelming them. For one, try a little cock and ball bondage. There are thinner bondage ropes designed for precisely this purpose– watch a quick YouTube tutorial on placing a simple tie that applies light, squeezing pressure around the base of the penis and the balls. It functions similarly to a cock ring in that it forces a little extra blood to the area, causing it to become more sensitive. You can experiment with different forms of tickling, teasing, and overstimulating the penis after it’s tied up, making your partner squirm and squeal. This could even be as simple as continuing to stimulate the head of the penis with your tongue after your partner orgasms! You can even lightly slap the head of the penis when it’s erect; it’s much less sensitive than the testicles in terms of its ability to handle a little roughness. 

Medium-intensity CBT: Mid-range CBT can look like ramping up the intensity of light CBT activities or simply toning down heavy CBT activities a bit. In the mid-range of CBT, experiment with cock and ball bondage, varying degrees of intensity with contact (slapping, using impact toys, squeezing the penis and balls in your hand), and maybe a few CBT-designated toys. You can use clothespins on the scrotum or foreskin (if you’re uncircumcised), chastity cages to discourage erections, or whatever CBT-designated toys you can find at your local adult store. 

Heavy/extreme CBT: Extreme CBT is not recommended for inexperienced players or those with a low pain tolerance. While you can still perform extreme CBT activities in a safe and sane manner and without risking injury, they can easily overwhelm a novice. Heavy CBT activities can include bondage restraints:

• Ballbusting - the act of repeatedly hitting the testicles over and over again. This is a form of play that should be carried out very carefully. Very gradually build up to more intense hitting, slapping or squeezing, and make sure your sub communicates with you all throughout. 
• Ball stretching - the act of stretching the scrotum and testicles. A ball parachute is a device that attaches around the base of the balls (right under the base of the penis) that enables weights to be attached to gradually pull the genitals downward. 
• Sounding - the act of penetrating the urethra, most often with a thin, stainless steel rod. Make sure sanitary measures are taken to mitigate the risk of infection– wash your hands and always use sterile medical lube with your urethral toys. Some say that when a urethral toy penetrates deep enough, it arouses the prostate from a different angle. This type of CBT can elicit both pain and pleasure. 
• Penis head torture - the act of literally torturing the most sensitive part of the penis. This can look like rolling a Wartenburg wheel over it repeatedly (check out our website if you’re curious about trying one), snapping rubber bands on it, dripping hot wax on it and more. 
• Electro play - the act of using electro shocks to elicit hyperstimulation (and pain, usually). Nodes can be attached to the penis and testicles to give the wearer light or extreme shocks. This should be reserved for only the most experienced of players, as electro-play carries its own list of risks. 

No form of kinky play is worth long-term damage– that’s why we recommend heavy communication, frequent check-ins during your scenes, and taking it slow. CBT doesn’t have to be scary– it’s just another way for you and your partner to connect, express intimacy and give a lot of care and special attention to their most sensitive areas. We think anything is worth trying once, so chat with your partner, talk about limits, and find out what kind of CBT is most pleasurable for you… you might be surprised!