Disclaimer: This guide will be sharing the basics of primal play, which veers away from traditional sexual activities and kinks. This is not connected to bestiality—more on that under the misconceptions section. Remember, consent is key; this kind of play should always involve clear, enthusiastic agreement from everyone involved. If you’re curious and want to learn more, we’ve linked all of the resources, as well as list them at the end of the article.
If you love reading fan fiction, especially on sites like Archive of Our Own, you’ve probably encountered the “primal play” tag. With over 700 stories exploring this theme, it’s clear that primal play has a strong presence in the fanfic community.
But primal play isn’t just confined to the pages of fan fiction. It’s a concept that resonates with many people in real life— there are folks who want to bring raw and untamed energy into their sex lives.
Now, if you’re intrigued by these themes and curious about how to start with primal play, we’re here to guide you through the basics.
What is Primal Play?
According to the Urban Dictionary, Primal Play is “a type of sexual kink or deviancy which involves becoming animalistic during sex. Can include scratching, biting, general brute force, and animal-type noises like howling, snarling, growling, etc.”
It involves following your natural and animalistic urges in intimacy—there aren’t any specific must-have items or activities to qualify as “real” primal play. Whether you’re wearing latex or dressing up as a supernatural being, you can embrace the kink in many ways.
Common activities for those exploring this kink include playfighting or wrestling, chasing, scratching, growling, biting, sniffing each other’s natural scents, having sex outdoors, and more.
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Benefits of Primal Play
Everyone has their reasons for enjoying this kink, but three benefits stood out.
1It ditches the mental chatter, helping them fully immerse in the deed.
Primal play can help individuals escape their conscious thoughts and fully immerse themselves in the experience. Many people overthink during sex—they worry about their performance, how they look, or whether they’re using the right techniques. This mental chatter can detract from the enjoyment. Primal play, guided by pure instinct, allows them to bypass these thoughts and go straight into the experience.
2It lets you disconnect from societal pressures.
Life is full of mundane challenges and endless responsibilities—paying bills, planning for retirement, managing family and friendships, and more. Sometimes, you just need a break from it all.
That’s where kinks like primal play come in. This kink allows you to step out of your everyday mindset and tap into your untamed self. Once you’ve unleashed that wild energy, the to-do list, bills, and other responsibilities fade temporarily.
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3You get to enjoy sex with complete freedom.
Society often shapes how we approach sex, with expectations about specific positions or techniques we should try. While having standards for healthy sex can be useful, there’s something incredibly liberating about being able to explore your desires with your partner without constraints.
Primal play offers that kind of freedom—no strict guidelines, just the pure joy of following your instincts and mutual consent in the bedroom. It lets you connect in the ways that feel right for both of you.
Misconceptions of Primal Play
Like with other kinks, there are lots of myths and misconceptions surrounding primal play. Here are some common ideas floating around, which we’ll debunk in this section.
1Myth: “It’s just animal-themed roleplay.”
While primal play often taps into our more animalistic instincts, it’s not just about dressing up or acting like animals. This kink is incredibly versatile, offering a range of roles or characters to explore. Whether embodying a fierce hunter, a wild spirit, or something entirely different, primal play allows you to channel different aspects of your primal self.
For example, you might embody a prehistoric human or a supernatural being exploring their primal nature on this planet. The possibilities are endless!
2Myth: “It’s just bestiality in disguise.”
Because of the animalistic nature of primal play, some people mistakenly equate it with bestiality, which involves sexual acts between a human and a nonhuman animal.
We’re here to set the record straight—this couldn’t be further from the truth. Engaging in primal play is about connecting with your primal instincts, not with animals. Bestiality is not only illegal but also unethical, as animals cannot give consent.
Primal play is entirely about consensual human connections, focusing on instinctual and raw energy between consenting adults.
3Myth: “Consensual non-consensual kink is always involved with primal play.”
Another kink that’s often associated with primal play is consensual non-consensual (CNC). According to Choosing Therapy, CNC is “a power or dominating sexual act between two or more people that will play out as though it is non-consensual. It is a type of roleplay between two people where they are enacting a scenario where non-consensual sex is happening, though the act is ultimately consensual.”
While CNC can be a part of primal play, it’s important to note that not all primal sessions involve CNC. For instance, some couples may simply want to engage in sex in a raw, animalistic way without incorporating any elements of non-consent. Others might enjoy primal play outdoors, immersing themselves in nature to connect with their wild side.
4“It’s always aggressive.”
Because most primal play sessions involve activities like wrestling, biting, licking, hissing, and growling, there’s a common misconception that this kink is purely aggressive.
While raw and rough energy often plays a role, not every session needs to be intensely aggressive. Sure, there are days filled with hunting and chasing, but there are also times when a couple might prefer a more gentle approach—lying in each other’s arms, smelling and licking one another. Primal play can be as tender as it is wild, depending on what feels right at the moment.
Primal Play Roles
If you’re curious about primal play and want to start planning immersive sessions, here are some roles you should know about. Please note that you can switch your roles depending on the session—just make sure to discuss it beforehand.
1Primal Hunter
According to BDSM educator BegForJay, in their video on the topic, the Primal Hunter (sometimes referred to as the Predator, though this term is less recommended due to its negative connotations) is “on the attack side of things.”
This role aligns with someone who enjoys the thrill of capturing, chasing, attacking, and consuming. Typically, the Primal Hunter takes on a dominant role during the session, embodying a powerful, assertive energy that drives the dynamic.
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2Primal Prey
This role is for someone whose natural instincts lean toward fighting off, hiding, escaping, or other behaviors associated with being prey.
While they often take on a submissive role during the session, they can also exhibit dominance in certain ways—like when they’re trying to evade or tease the hunter who’s after them. In these moments, they’re driving the scene, using their instincts to challenge and provoke the hunter.
The two roles we’ve covered above are the main ones, but primal play offers a variety of other roles you might find intriguing. To learn more about the full range of roles and essential terminologies, take a look at this insightful post from someone who’s actively part of the community.
Primal Play Tips
Primal play can be intense, especially involving biting, growling, and other high-energy actions. Because of the raw and sometimes overwhelming nature of this kink, it’s crucial to be fully aware of what you’re getting into. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help you navigate and prepare for primal play.
1Always plan and communicate with your partner before every play session.
In his video on primal play, BDSM educator Jay (BegForJay) highlights an important point: during most primal play sessions, clear communication with your partner can be challenging. As natural instincts take over, you might find yourself caught up in tussling, wrestling, or other intense activities, making it difficult to articulate your needs or boundaries.
This is why a safeword—a clear verbal signal immediately stopping the session—is essential. Not only that, but it’s absolutely crucial to discuss everything with your partner before the session begins. A pre-session talk is vital, whether it’s your first time or your 199th play.
For example, if you’re interested in being bitten in certain areas or want your partner to try a specific move, it’s best to communicate this beforehand. Mentioning it during the session could break the immersion. However, this can vary depending on your preferences—some people are comfortable with check-ins throughout the experience, while others prefer to stay fully in the moment.
Now, for those who haven’t tried primal play before and are eager to explore it with their partner, Pup Amp from Watts The Safeword offers some valuable advice. The BDSM educator suggests that you openly share with your partner why you want to try this activity, along with your expectations, desires, and boundaries for your primal play sessions. This conversation not only helps your partner understand your interest in the kink but also benefits you. As mentioned in the video: “Being able to explain what you’re into and why you’re into it is sometimes the biggest roadblock to getting into a kink.”
2Make the necessary preparations.
To keep your sessions safe and enjoyable, it’s essential to prepare properly. This includes gathering essentials like lube, condoms, and other sexual wellness products. If you plan to take your primal play into the woods, research the rules, find the most discreet times, and choose the best locations. Remember, being sexually responsible also means not causing unnecessary disruptions in public spaces.
If you’re playing with someone new or a group, it’s wise to have STI tests done and share the results beforehand to protect everyone involved. Additionally, thorough communication is key—get to know your partners, discuss desires and boundaries, and establish clear agreements before the session begins. This helps build trust and ensures everyone feels safe and respected.
3Warm up to get into a primal headspace.
Sometimes, tapping into your primal self isn’t easy— personal issues and responsibilities might be getting in the way. And when you can’t fully unleash that erotic energy, the session can get awkward quickly.
To avoid this, consider preparing materials to help you get into your primal mindset. Identify your triggers—whether it’s an erotic film, hypnosis video, a particular song, or a specific scent—and have them ready to use when you need that extra boost to connect with your primal side.
4Ensure prolonged aftercare.
Another valuable insight from Jay in his BegForJay primal play video is the importance of aftercare, especially since sessions can get heavy and intense. Depending on what you and your partner prefer, aftercare could involve cuddling in another room or heading to your favorite café for a quick chat about how things went. Jay also said that aftercare must be done outside the session space to help dissipate lingering primal energy and create a calming environment.
5Use BDSM and fantasy-themed toys for added immersion.
Although sex toys aren’t usually the main focus in primal play—where the emphasis is often on exploring each other’s bodies and instincts—certain BDSM toys can certainly enhance the experience. Items like collars, eye masks, nipple clamps, bed restraints, handcuffs, spreader bars, fantasy dildos (such as dragon dildos), and mouth gags can add exciting elements to your sessions. Check out our recommendations in the next section!
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6Set up a scene before the deed.
To make your primal play session flow more smoothly and avoid awkward moments, ensure a scenario is prepared ahead of time. You don’t need a detailed script—just a general idea of the scene can make a big difference. This way, you and your partner can easily slip into your roles and let your instincts take over without worrying about what to do next.
We highly recommend checking out the video from Watts The Safeword on primal play. It offers some great scene ideas, like hide-and-seek and taming the beast, which can help get your creative juices flowing.
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7Try it more than twice.
Pup Amp from Watts The Safeword also points out in their video that it’s normal for things to get a bit awkward or for mishaps to occur during your first primal play session—and that’s completely okay! A few hiccups are part of the learning process when trying something new.
That’s why it’s best to give this kink a few tries to see if it improves or if you become more excited about it over time. And if primal play just isn’t for you or feels too overwhelming, you can always pause and explore other kinks that might suit you and your partner better.
Recommended Primal Play Toys
If you plan to dive into primal play and have extra funds to splurge, consider adding these love toys.
Takeaway
Primal play is all about tapping into your most natural, instinctual, and animalistic side in the bedroom. It’s a kink that’s often misunderstood, but hopefully, this guide has cleared up some of the myths and given you the info you need if you’re curious to try it out.
Like with any sexual activity, it’s crucial to ensure that informed consent is agreed upon by everyone involved. And always, and we mean always, follow safer sex practices—like using condoms, having a safeword for emergencies, and using lube to keep things comfortable and fun.
