Are Sex Toys Making Us Better Lovers?

March 26, 2025
ARIANA LEVI

The Pleasure Revolution: Are Sex Toys Making Us Better Lovers—Or Just Lazy Ones?

Dear reader, let’s talk about the bedside drawer. You know, THE drawer… the one harboring a collection of vibrating, pulsing, and thrusting little pleasure gadgets designed to deliver mind-blowing orgasms with minimal effort. Sex toys have come a long way from their humble beginnings, evolving into sleek, high-tech tools that can be customized, app-controlled, and even programmed to anticipate our desires before we do. But with this rise in innovation comes an interesting question: Are sex toys making us better lovers?, or are they making us lazy in the art of intimacy? Are we mastering our pleasure with these devices, or are they mastering us?

Sex toys are undoubtedly a game-changer. They’ve opened doors to sexual discovery, helped people overcome physical limitations, and offered pleasure to those who may not always have a willing (or available) partner. They’ve also helped normalize self-pleasure and sexual wellness—something society hasn’t always been great about embracing. That said, with great power comes great... vibration.

Fun fact: Some psychologists argue that our collective dependence on toys could be shifting the way we engage with sexual pleasure, intimacy, and even each other. The brain can become conditioned to specific types of stimulation, a phenomenon called neuroplasticity. If someone exclusively uses a high-intensity vibrator (like the infamous Magic Wand) or masturbates in a particular way, their brain may start associating only that particular type of stimulation with pleasure, making other forms of touch less effective.

Here’s the dilemma:

If a toy can deliver a toe-curling orgasm every single time, does that make human partners feel... inadequate?

Fun fact: A study found that heterosexual men who had used sex toys with their partners had lower levels of sexual satisfaction than men who had never done so. Dr. Kat Van Kirk, Ph.D., explained the findings: "One partner may fear that another partner’s use of a sex toy will replace them or that they'll become overly reliant on them."

The study also found that 86% of women who have sex with women say they’ve used a sex toy and experienced increased sexual satisfaction as a result.

Has the dopamine rush from instant pleasure trained us to prioritize efficiency over connection? Like streaming services and food delivery apps, sex toys give us pleasure on demand. The question is whether we’re letting them replace the more unpredictable, often messier journey of partnered intimacy altogether.

Of course, it’s not all doom and gloom. When used intentionally (and not just for auto-pilot orgasms), sex toys can actually improve intimacy and boost sexual confidence. Instead of replacing traditional encounters, they can add new dimensions to solo and partnered play.

How sex toys can make us better lovers:

Exploring our own pleasure using toys can help us communicate better with our partners. Knowing exactly what gets you off is a huge advantage in partnered sex.

Rather than focusing on achieving orgasm through sheer willpower (or desperately trying to make it happen for a partner), toys can help take some of the pressure off and make sex more enjoyable. After all, toys are made to be fun.

Let’s face it: Men can orgasm in an average of about five minutes, while women can take nearly three times as long. Vibrators and other toys in the bedroom can help close this pleasure gap. And there's NO shame in that!

Sex toys can add novelty to relationships and introduce a sense of adventure back into the bedroom.

For people with disabilities, chronic pain, or other physical challenges, sex toys can be a lifeline to a fulfilling sex life.

Not to sound like your mom reminding you about screen time, but moderation is key. If sex toys are enhancing your pleasure, fantastic! But if they’ve entirely replaced real interaction, it might be time to reassess.

Red flags that suggest toys might be affecting your sex life negatively:

You find it nearly impossible to orgasm without one.

You’ve lost interest in partnered sex because toys are "easier."

You’re experiencing desensitization from overuse (yes, that’s a thing).

You rely more on machines for pleasure than connection with yourself or others.

There’s also the emotional aspect—if we become too accustomed to instant gratification, are we losing the slower, more intimate moments that come with human touch and sexual connection?

Those awkward moments, stolen kisses, and teasing exchanges might not be as efficient, but they’re arguably what makes sex memorable.

So, dear reader, are sex toys making us better lovers, or are they making us lazy? The answer, like most things when it comes to sexuality, depends on how you engage with them. In their best form, sex toys are tools of empowerment, exploration, and enhancement. They aren’t competition for human connection—they’re complements to it. They’re here to add dimension, not replace intimacy altogether. There’s no shame in craving efficiency, but let’s not forget the beauty of the slow burn, the shared breaths, and the undeniable chemistry that no machine can truly replicate.