One of the biggest misconceptions about sex toys is that only single people use them. That’s just not true! 78% of women who use sex toys are in a relationship.

So, are those women not satisfied with their sex life? Again, absolutely not. In fact, couples who use sex toys together are likely to find their desire for sex increases, and their sexual relationship enhanced.

But if neither of you has used sex toys before, it can be difficult to know where to start. This is a beginner’s guide for couples of all sexualities who are looking to introduce sex toys in the bedroom.

How to Introduce Sex Toys Into a Relationship

The biggest hurdle for couples wanting to spice up their sex life with toys is to get on the same page. You might want to invest in a closet that would put Christian Grey’s Red Room to shame. But that does not mean your partner wants the same!

Talk to your partner before buying any sex toys so you can address any fears and reservations upfront.

Compliment Your Existing Sex Life

When starting a conversation about using sex toys with your partner, tell them you love the sexual relationship you already have.

You don’t want your partner to think that you want to use sex toys because you are currently unsatisfied. Make it clear you would only like to boost your sex life.

If your partner does not want to use sex toys in the bedroom, it is probably not because they do not like them. It’s more likely that they would feel insecure or nervous. Do whatever you can to put your partner at ease but never pressure them.

Be Open and Honest

You are about to discuss other things you would like to try in bed. It is not the time to get embarrassed or keep your darkest desires to yourself!

Be 100% honest about the type of sex toys you would like to try and what type of stimulation. For example, if you want anal stimulation from your partner wearing a strap-on then say so.

They may not be comfortable with that straight away. But that’s okay, there are ways to work up to it. The most important thing is to trust your partner and be straight with them.

The Best Sex Toys for Beginners

This is the fun part. Once you are both open to experimenting with sex toys, you need to buy some!

For many women, their only frame of reference for sex toys is when Charlotte in Sex and the City bought a rabbit vibrator from a seedy store.

Nowadays, there are a lot of choices when it comes to sex toys for couples. Everything from handcuffs to anal beads to strap-ons. But most couples who are new to adult sex toys will want to start simple.

Here are some of the best sex toys to try with suggestions for same-sex and opposite-sex relationships. Every couple is different, but this is a good starting point.

For Hetero Couples

There are three different types of sex toys for heterosexual couples. There are sex toys for men, for women, and for both.

Let’s start with sex toys for women. These toys are often focused on clitoral stimulation.

A single woman may want to start with a vibrating dildo. But a woman in a relationship might consider vibrating love eggs or any vibrating device that fits in the palm.

Either the woman or the partner could hold it in positions where clitoral stimulation is difficult such as doggy style or spooning. It’s a great beginner’s sex toy because the shape is non-threatening and easy to use.

Sex toys for men in relationships usually focus on anal or prostate stimulation. Anal beads are a good sex toy for beginners to try as well as butt plugs. Your partner could pull out the anal beads as you climax or apply small amounts of pressure on the butt plug.

One sex toy that both partners could receive pleasure from is a cock ring.

These are circular-shaped devices that fit onto a penis with a vibrating section that will stimulate the clitoris. This is a great sex toy for beginners because it will enhance classic sex positions such as missionary or cowgirl.

For Same-Sex Couples

Gay sex toys will, of course, depend on which sex we are talking about. Same-sex male couples can use any sex toy made for a heterosexual man.

Although, queer men are often less intimidated by dildos in the bedroom. Either partner could use a dildo (vibrating or not) on the other. Vibrating butt plugs or anal beads are also great beginner sex toys for male couples.

Gay men might also want to try a different type of cock ring made for male pleasure. Usually named a cock sling, this is a type of cock ring that fits snug around the penis and pushes the testicles away.

Again, not every sex toy will be appealing to everyone. Even if it is a ‘beginner’ toy.

For same-sex female couples, vibrating love eggs or g-spot stimulators are perfect beginner options. The key is to get one for each partner so you can control the other person’s sex toy and both be intimately involved in the other’s pleasure.

For All Couples

There are some sex toys (or accessories) that don’t involve any direct stimulation. All genders and sexualities can enjoy these toys!

Restraints or blindfolds are a type of sex toy to try if you want to experiment with bondage. Beginners may feel more comfortable with silky ties than handcuffs or chains.

Likewise, a feather tickler is a great introduction to whipping or other forms of BDSM. It’s a feathered head on a stick that provides a light sensation for you to tease your partner with.

Turn up the Heat in Your Bedroom With Sex Toys

Introducing sex toys into your relationship can only be a good thing. You could experience better orgasms, arousal, and a closer relationship as a result.

As long as you are both up for experimenting, only your imagination limits you!

Check out our other lifestyle articles for more tips and advice.

Did you know that the average bong has 50% more bacteria on it than a public restroom toilet seat? It also has 62% more bacteria than a shopping cart handle and 92% more than the keypad on an ATM.

Those absurdly high numbers should make you think twice before taking a puff off a water pipe while chilling with friends, or even off your personal bong at home.

What causes a bong to get dirty, why does it matter, and how the heck do you get that nasty stuff out of there?

Find out everything you need to know, including two stupid simple methods for cleaning a bong below.

What Causes a Bong to Get Dirty?

Habitual cannabis smokers often claim that smoking with a bong helps make the experience cleaner than smoking with a straight pipe. Let’s consider the process behind smoking cannabis to see if this could be true.

Combusting Cannabis

Smokers burn cannabis to activate the chemicals inside and feel their effects. The combustion process releases smoke filled with these chemicals. That includes all the positive things users want from cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) to terpenes like limonene and myrcene.

The smoke also contains unwanted things such as tar, hot smoke, and ash (fine bits of particulates). Tar from combusting cannabis contains many of the same unhealthy chemicals found in cigarette smoke.

Using a Bong

A bong uses water and, sometimes, percolators to supposedly filter the combusted cannabis smoke to make it cleaner. The user lights the dry herb or uses a dab rig (like this product) and pulls the combusted smoke through the bong water and into their lungs.

The water cools the smoke immediately and makes the toke smoother. It also filters out some of the ash and tar that would otherwise enter your mouth and lungs.

The fact the water starts to turn a gross brown color after a few smoke sessions demonstrates this. So does the colored, filmy build-up that collects on the inside walls outside of the water later.

Does a Bong Effectively Filter the Smoke?

There’s debate among researchers whether a bong effectively filters cannabis smoke to remove the harmful parts. Some researchers believe it filters more of the terpenes and cannabinoids while others believe their lack of water solubility makes that impossible.

Some studies conducted in the 1990s even showed that unfiltered joints produced 30% less tar than a bong. However, that could have been due to the low-quality cannabis provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

This conflicted with another study from the same time period that used data from the 1960s and 1970s to conclude that bongs do effectively remove toxins.

Vaporizer vs Bongs

The conflicting results about whether bongs filter the smoke of harmful chemicals still have not been fully resolved. During the process, researchers found vaporizers produced fewer toxins with a more powerful effect.

Research has since faded away from investigating the effects of a water pipe to focus on vaporizers as a healthier method of smoking.

Why Does a Bong Need Cleaning?  

Chances are you’ve spent a decent amount of money on your marijuana. You want it to taste good when you smoke it and take advantage of its helpful benefits.

Smoking out of a dirty bong negates all of these things. The icky bits in the bong water make your hits taste gross rather than clean and clear.

Those particulates that filter from the smoke into the water create an environment that breeds bacteria and fungus. The fungus and bacteria can aggravate your allergies and cause serious health issues if you inhale them.

How to Know When to Clean a Bong

Have you noticed the water in your bong changing from clean and clear to dirty and brown? That’s a pretty good sign you need to at least change the bong water.

But when do you need to do a deep clean of the entire water pipe? Here are 4 clear signs your bong needs cleaning.

Stinky Water

It’s one thing if you notice your bong water turning brown during a smoke session. It’s a whole other thing if you notice it start to turn brown and stink after leaving the water unchanged for a few days.

The bong water does filter out some of the smoke particulates and tar. You only need to smoke a bowl or two for the bits to mix in with the water and start making it gross.

Also, the water starts to smell when bacteria develop in it. Nasty!

A Film of Slime

Have you ever left your bong to sit for a really long time after using it? Maybe you went on vacation and came back to find it shoved in the closet. The first thing you probably notice is a thick film of discolored slime across the top of the water.

The slimy film is full of bacteria and fungi. Yes, actual fungus. Both the bacteria and fungus can cause major issues if inhaled.

Black and White Spots

It’s not only the water you need to watch for cleanliness. The inside surfaces of your water pipe outside the waterline also collect particles from the smoke passing over them.

Do you see specks of black, white, or grey staining the clear or colored glass/plastic of your bong? Those bits of ash and tar form into chunks and stick to your piece.

These black and white dots can accidentally fall off while you inhale the smoke and enter your lungs. Not only does that defeat the purpose of the bong filtering the smoke, but it’s also painful and icky.

Build-Up of Resin

Anyone who smokes through a pipe knows the struggle of fighting resin buildup. It collects in the tiniest nooks and crannies making it difficult to clean. And you want to clean it!

Resin greatly impacts the smell and taste of marijuana and can mess up your whole smoking experience by ruining both. The more it builds up, the more it affects the taste.

Not only that but if you leave resin too long, it will stick to your glass pipe or bong FOREVER.

Seriously. You’ll never be able to get remove it and you’ll have to throw away your piece. No one wants that.

How Often to Clean a Water Pipe

Cleaning a bong does not take a lot of time and effort if you do it regularly. You can use the above signs to know when to clean, but it’s better not to rely on visuals alone.

How often you need to clean a bubbler or a bong depends on how often you smoke.

Light Tokers

Only use your bong for the occasional hit on the weekend or a special occasion? You need to clean your bong every time after you use it.

Since casual smokers take a longer time between sessions than frequent smokers, it gives bacteria and fungus more opportunity to grow.

It doesn’t matter if you only smoke a bowl. As soon as you introduce the particulates into the water, it encourages bacteria to grow.

Habitual Cannabis Users

Are you a habitual cannabis user who smokes from the bong at least one time per day?

You actually need to clean your water pipe less than someone who smokes casually. Aim to at least clean your bong water, if not your whole piece, once every two days.

The fact you heat and disturb the water through regular use helps slow the growth of fungus and bacteria.

Come up with a schedule that makes it easy to remember to clean your bong. You could clean it on Friday night before the weekend. That way you can have a nice, clean wake-and-bake session on Saturday morning.

Then, clean it again on Sunday night so you can take a clean hit after getting home from work on Monday. Smoke until Wednesday night and then clean it again. Wash, rinse, repeat!

Two Stupid Simple Methods for Cleaning a Bong

Cleaning a bong takes a little time, especially if you haven’t cleaned it in a hot minute. The best way to make bong cleaning easy is to do it regularly.

Here are two reliable methods for cleaning a bong, even if it’s been a few days, weeks, or months since you last cleaned it.

Prepping the Bong for Cleaning

You need to prep the water pipe for cleaning before using either method.

First, dump out the dirty bong water. (We all know it needed to be said.) Next, remove the bowl and the stem from their cradle on the bong.

Separate the bowl and stem if in two pieces. Remove any other loose or removable pieces from the pipe and set them somewhere safe in a Ziploc baggie or small container.

The Alcohol and Salt Method

Fans of DIY projects and saving money will probably want to try the alcohol and salt method for cleaning a bong. Once you’ve prepped the bong, rinse the whole piece with very hot water.

Cleaning with Hot Water

Use rubber dish gloves so you can turn the water up as high as it goes. The hot water will loosen ash, resin, and other buildup on the inside of the pipe. It also dissolves some of the gunk binding the buildup to the walls of the bong.

Try to aim the flow of water through the bong so the particles pass through a hole big enough for them to fit through. This prevents them from getting stuck and making it more difficult to clean.

Dealing with the Removable Pieces

Take the time to rinse the removable pieces too. Then, place each piece in its own baggie or container. It’s important you separate them and not try to clean them at the same time.

In each container or baggie, pour between ¼ cup and ½ cup rubbing alcohol and 1-2 tablespoons salt. Use less of both for smaller pieces and more for larger ones.

Next, shake the containers or baggies for up to 5 minutes. If there are still bits stuck to the pieces, dump the dirty mix and put more in. Leave it all to sit for 10-15 minutes and then shake it up again.

Rinse the pieces with hot water and repeat if needed. Otherwise, leave them to dry.

Put Salt Inside the Water Pipe

Pour 2-3 tablespoons into your bong. You can use 5 tablespoons or more for a large piece.

You need to make sure you put in enough salt that it will not all dissolve once you add the alcohol.

Add Alcohol and Plug the Bong

Pour in ½ cup to 1 cup or more of isopropyl/rubbing alcohol.

Plug all of the holes in the bong with a dish towel or with plastic wrap and rubber bands. (You can try to use your hands, but then your hands will stink like bong water for a few hours.)

Don’t forget to cover the carburetor as well!

Shake It All Up

Shake the whole bong as you did with the small pieces in the baggies. You want the salt and alcohol to get into every tiny nook and cranny in the water pipe.

Shake it all up for at least five minutes but go longer if you can. Take a break in between if you need to.

Rinse and Repeat

Rinse out the bong with very hot water again. If you notice any stubborn bits, you can use a pipe cleaner or Q-tip dipped in alcohol to scrub.

Still not very clean? Repeat the process again and again until it’s a happy, clean bong.

The 420 Method

The second method for cleaning a dirty water pipe involves a product called Formula 420. Habitual cannabis smokers likely already own a bottle or two of this miracle mix that makes cleaning all of your smoking instruments super easy.

You perform the same steps as above but use Formula 420 in place of the salt and alcohol.

Keep it Clean During Your Next Smoke Session

Now you know the importance of cleaning a bong and how to do it the right way. Remember to clean your bong often so you can enjoy better tasting, healthier smoke sessions.

If you found these tips useful, be sure to check out some of our other articles before you go.

The days when online gambling meant risking that the site was run by some foreign criminal cartel are largely behind us. These days, it’s a huge industry that will likely exceed $127 billion annually by 2027. While that’s good news for old hands at online gambling, it often remains a mystery to interested newcomers.

They often wonder how to gamble online.

Should they gamble virtually on a website? If so, it’s not always clear which sites to gamble on. Should they gamble using an app?

If the question of how to gamble online has left you in the lurch, keep reading for our introduction to online gambling.

Understand Your Local Laws

While the federal government doesn’t weigh in on online gambling, a lot of states do maintain laws that make online gambling illegal. Why?

Many states regulate things like sports betting and get a cut of the profit. If you place bets online, there is a good chance that state will never see a dime of it. While there isn’t much chance that you’ll actually get arrested, it’s probably not worth the stress involved.

Picking Your Sites

When you’re ready for online gambling sites real money, start with online casinos. Look for sites that operate outside of the US but in the developed world, such as Australia. While it’s not an absolute guarantee that you’ll get a legitimate site, it dramatically improves the odds.

Look for sites that feature the games your prefer, whether it’s slots, blackjack, or poker against other live players. Don’t go wild joining sites, though. While you can theoretically join as many sites as you want, you only have a finite amount of money for gambling.

Joining too many sites can leave you with only a little to gamble with on any given site, rather than two or three decent amounts.

Understand the Rules of How to Gamble

If you’re new to gambling in general, you may find all the rules overwhelming at first. That will only get worse if you try to take on a bunch of new games all at once. You should try out a few things for very low stakes and figure out what you like.

Once you settle on a game, settle in and learn all the rules for that one game. Once you master it, then move on to another game.

Limit Your Spend

Give yourself a gambling budget for each month and stick to it religiously. It’s too easy to get caught up and spend money you can’t afford. Make deposits in your casino accounts and stop when that money is gone.

Responsible Online Gambling

Now that you know how to gamble online, remember that it’s entertainment or a hobby. While it’s okay to spend disposable income on it, it’s not okay to jeopardize your rent or food money on it.

If you ever find yourself going down that road, you should seek help immediately from a mental health professional who understands gambling addiction.

Ready for a break from online gambling? Head over to our Film Reviews section for some advice on your next movie pick.

Card games have played a big role in countless movies over the years. From old-time casino classics, to back room gambling flicks, to biopics and other true stories, there has always been a certain dramatic pull luring filmmakers to card tables. And more often than not, the focus ends up being on poker.

For many, in fact, the idea of cards in movies is basically synonymous with poker. Just last year, Screen Rant looked back at some of the best poker films of all time and showed just how long this particular game has been dominating the screen. From The Cincinnati Kid in 1965 to Molly’s Game in 2017, there really have been a lot of excellent poker films. At the same time though, there’s an argument to be made that Hollywood’s particular focus on poker is a little bit outsized — and that if we’re going to keep seeing casinos and card games in movies, we could be seeing more blackjack instead.

There are a few reasons behind this argument.

Understanding – The most important factor is that the rules of blackjack are easy to explain and easy to grasp. According to a Gala Casino guide to the game, it can really be summed up in one sentence: “The aim of the game is to get closer to 21 than the dealer without going bust.” Of course there are some intricacies to it, and a newcomer won’t necessarily grasp the strategy. But the simplicity of the core concept makes it much more accessible game to a much broader audience, whereas poker can sometimes be somewhat niche.

Card counting – Let’s face it, card scenes in movies are all the more fun if someone’s trying to game the system. And the simple fact is, this is more feasible in blackjack. Even in the game’s relatively limited cinematic history, in fact, the most noteworthy examples involve attempts to get a leg up. Dustin Hoffman, known for films ranging from The Graduate to Straw Dogs, may ultimately be most beloved for his part in Rain Man. And the card counting blackjack scene in that film is so famous that, according to Hackaday, it is the namesake for an AI that can count cards. Beyond Rain Man, we also have a scene in The Hangover that is based on the same card-counting scheme; a whole saga in 21 revolving around manipulation of blackjack games; and even a goofy scene in Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery in which a villain uses an x-ray eyepatch to glimpse cards about to be dealt. All in all, blackjack just seems to invite more dramatic scenes because of the possibility of counting cards.

Flexibility – There is also a bit more flexibility in blackjack scenes, because there are fewer associations with the game. When it comes to poker, people typically imagine one of three atmospheres: a classic casino with dressed-up players, a tense back room, or a modern casino where millionaire amateurs play in hoodies and headphones. Poker is defined by these atmospheres. Blackjack, beyond a vague association with casinos, is not understood in such rigid confines. There isn’t really a culture around it, which leaves filmmakers free to be a little more inventive, and have a little more fun.

So why don’t we see more focus on blackjack than poker? Part of it might be due to the fact that the movies we have that explicitly involve blackjack have problematic reputations. The 1998 John Woo film Blackjack is a disaster (even if it mostly just uses the name and isn’t a card movie). And 2008’s 21 is tainted by the fact that Kevin Spacey is one of the leads. Despite having some fairly modern headline roles, such as his part in Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver or his prestige TV vehicle House Of Cards, Spacey has been so thoroughly disgraced that it already seems odd to feel attachment to his work. As a result, arguably the most prominent blackjack film in modern history has basically been sidelined.

These issues have kept blackjack-related projects from developing much of a reputation for themselves outside of Rain Man, which is by no means about blackjack. Poker, on the other hand, has developed a robust reputation as a cinematic theme, and one that has proven capable of supporting one film after another.

It make sense, but if Hollywood is going to keep making card movies it would do well to balance things out and pay more attention to blackjack. It’s simpler, more accessible, and in some ways more fun.

The condition of erectile dysfunction is something that is far from abnormal and is, in fact, very wide spread amongst men of a certain age range. Its cause can either be rooted in physical or psychological causes and results in the inability to be able to not only get an erection in the first place but to be able to sustain one. If this is something that you have started to experience, then you should talk with your doctor, who will talk to you about some of the options available for ED treatment.

Do specific positions help?

The key to having a strong erection is to ensure that you get enough blood supply to your penis. There are no actual scientific studies that show or even suggest that one sex poisition is better for erectile dysfunction than what any other one is. However, common sense would suggest that a sex position that requires the use of lots of muscles and is highly acrobatic would use up lots of blood, thus divertiong it away from your penis, meaning an erection is hard to get. 

For erectile dysfunction, doctors usually suggest having sex in a position where the woman is on top of the man. The latest scientific studies though, that measured blood flow to the penis whilst engaging in certain sex positions, failed to indetify a position where the woman is on top as being beneficial for the purpose of erectile dysfunction. 

What is actually more important than the position is your attitude towards sex. You need to get past the idea that sexual intercourse is a performance and instead focus on the intimacy and desire aspects of it. After doing that, you will find that the sex position that you choose is not of much importance after all. 

Things you can do to improve the situation 

Typically where erectile dysfunction is involved, common sense prevails. The best thing to do is to find a sex position that works for both yourself and your partner. Other things that you can do include:

• Not drinking too much alcohol – whilst a small amount of alcohol can relax you and help to get you into the mood for sex, which can be good for those men who suffer with erectile dysfunction; too much of it can actually make the issue worse. Similarly, you should try and avoid drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette before engaging in sexual intercourse, as these each contain chemicals that constrict your blood vessels. 
• Making yourself comfortable – if you are unable to get comfortable in bed, perhaps because your room is too cold, then it can be more difficult to get and keep a strong erection. To counter this, you should have a nice hot bath or shower before getting into bed, as not only will it work to make you more relaxed but it will also get the blood flowing around all of your body much better.

When it comes to erectile dysfunction and the things that you can do to work through it, there is no one best answer as to what you should do to combat the issue. Everything should always be considered on an individual basis.

Attending a film festival can be a highly entertaining, engaging, and rewarding experience. There is something about the atmosphere of a festival that cannot be matched by a regular trip to the cinema. While the most famous international film festivals, such as the Cannes Film Festival, the Sundance Film Festival in Salt Lake City, and the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, attract hundreds of thousands of attendees, there are also plenty of smaller film festivals that you can choose from.

Whether you are going to one of the big events or something a little more of a hidden gem, you may be wondering what to expect. Here we have gathered five tips for making the most of your first film festival experience!

Keep Your Pass Visible

Whether you are simply attending the festival as a film fan or as somebody in the industry, you will probably have some sort of pass that verifies you and grants you access to different parts of the festival. Make sure that you keep this close to hand at all times!

Check the Program Regularly

Any film festival will have a program detailing when and where each film is going to be screened. Don’t go in blind—check the program before the festival starts to plan your personal schedule and avoid missing anything you really wanted to see. Be aware also that schedules can change at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances, so make sure to check the festival’s website or app at least a couple of times a day so that you are aware of any changes.

Queue Early

Don’t expect to be able to just rush into the screening of your chosen film two minutes before it starts. You will need to get seats, and some screenings may fill up quickly. It is usually best to arrive around half an hour before the film is due to start to make sure that you get a seat. If you end up queuing for a while, have some activities prepared to pass the time. This could be a game installed on your phone, playing a range of games, which you can find at a reputable online casino UK, including poker, slots, and Blackjack, or even a film magazine to read.

Book a Hotel Nearby

Part of what makes a film festival so exciting is the social aspect and the buzz around the festival. Hundreds or even thousands of filmmakers, actors, and other people in the industry will have been anticipating this chance to show their work for months and are likely to hang around the festival or spill out into nearby bars when screenings have finished. Staying near to the festival instead of leaving to commute home each evening can give you the chance to soak up this buzz and maybe even meet some of your favorite stars!

Show Your Appreciation

If you really enjoyed a film, don’t just sit in silence and walk out like you might do at a regular cinema trip. It is likely that some of the filmmakers and actors are in the audience with you, so show them your appreciation with clapping and cheering! There may also be special guests at the end of screenings holding question and answer sessions.