Welcome to the Age of Gooning: Pleasure, Obsession, and the Porn-Driven Trance

April 29, 2025

In the dim glow of a screen, millions are slipping into a new kind of sexual trance—gooning. Once an underground kink whispered about in online forums, gooning is now edging its way into the mainstream. A recent ZipHealth survey revealed that nearly 1 in 4 Americans have tried it—with men twice as likely to participate than women.

So what is it?

Gooning is a ritual of prolonged arousal without climax—often fueled by increasingly niche or extreme pornography. Practitioners describe it as a hypnotic state where arousal becomes meditative, even euphoric. The goal? To ride the edge of orgasm for hours, stretching pleasure to its surreal limits.

“It’s like my brain detaches from time,” one participant told Adults Villa. “It’s not about climax anymore. It’s about the ride.”

But while the highs are addictive, experts are starting to warn of the potential lows.

⚠️ The Double-Edged Sword of Gooning

The ZipHealth data paints a complex picture:

• 16% say they feel urges to goon even when they hadn’t planned to.

• 8% report trouble stopping once they start.

• 7% experience soreness or fatigue post-session.

• 5% are considering professional help due to compulsive behaviors.

It’s a growing concern. The practice, while intensely pleasurable, may edge dangerously close to addiction. Some users report porn fatigue, desensitization to real-life intimacy, or even a decline in desire for real partners.

Still, for many, the experience is transformative.

“Gooning helped me explore my body and my fantasies in ways I never thought possible,” says a 29-year-old user. “It’s opened doors—but also made it hard to go back to ‘normal’ sex.”

💬 A Generational Shift in Pleasure

Gooning isn’t confined to a single demographic. The survey found:

• Millennials & Gen Z are leading the way in experimentation.

• Even baby boomers and Gen Xers are exploring this form of extended pleasure.

• 7% report mental health benefits like stress relief or self-discovery.

As more people chase this immersive pleasure state, a new conversation is emerging—about balance, consent, and the fine line between exploration and escapism.