Edge Play — also written as Edgeplay — is a BDSM, kink, or fetish activity that is potentially unsafe, meaning that it may bring certain physical and/or emotional risks and damaging consequences (even if one derives sexual or non-sexual pleasure from it), which one is willing to accept.
That is, Edge Play is a practice based on mutual consent, which in the BDSM realm — because of the risks involved — is considered so-called risk-aware consensual kink (abbreviated as “RACK”).
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However, although a consensual activity, it may bring risks for long-term harm or even death. Think here of activities such as Breath Control Play, Fire Play, Knife Play, Urethral Play, or Wax Play, or there where bodily fluids are exchanged, such as blood and semen.
An another important aspect of Edge Play is that it’s highly subjective. That is, what one person defines as “dangerous” may be considered routine or entirely harmless by another, depending on their experiences, proficiency, and boundaries.
Nonetheless, due to the potential risks, Edge Play still requires meticulous planning, communication, and skill, which include domains such as training and education, in-depth discussion of the activity, trust, contingency plans i.e. emergency preparedness, physical and mental preparation of the participants, safe words, and appropriate aftercare.
Keep in mind that Edge Play should not be confused with Edging, the latter known as a technique that brings a person to the “edge” of an orgasm but without letting them have an orgasm, with the goal of either sexual denial or alternatively having an extended sexual pleasure experience.
