Nipples are one of the body’s main erogenous zones, and while feeling up your nipples by stroking or kissing can be delightful, many people out there enjoy more intense sensation, especially when it comes to nipple play. A popular sex toy that can help achieve this is a pair of nipple clamps, which apply pressure to the base of the nipple by pinching the tissue and restricting blood flow, sex educator Lisa Finn tells Bustle. This pinching can feel tingly and pleasurable, as well as pain-inducing, depending on the level of tightness you use to clamp your nipples.

Nipple clamps are often used to add pleasure to a solo sex session, but they can also be a useful tool for incorporating into partnered play. The most basic nipple clamps look like a pair of tweezers, and you can tighten them by sliding the small ring along the metal shaft towards your nipple to increase tension. For beginners, a simple nipple clamp that doesn’t have a sharp tip is probably your best bet since these are less likely to graze the skin on the nipples or other sensitive areas of the body.

Once you’ve gotten the hang of clamping your nipples, it’s time to start exploring different ways to experience them. If you’re alone, try having a self-pleasure toy (like this vibrator) in your mouth to get a tingling sensation as you tighten and release the clamps. Or, for more intense nipple play, have a partner lick, suck, or tease your nipples and areola, or even lick them with their hands or fingers. Some nipple clamps also come with feather ticklers for an added sensuous element.

If you want to take your nipple pleasure up a notch, try nipple clamps that have soft silicone or rubber tips that won’t tear the delicate skin around your nipples. These types of clamps are also gentler than those made from bare metal, and they’re great for those with more sensitive nipples or who have a hard time handling the pressure of a regular metal nipple clamp.

To maximize the pleasure, you can even try nipple clamps that are designed to emit vibrations or have a control panel so you can turn up the intensity. These options can be a little more expensive, but they’re sure to give you a whole new world of sensation as you explore your nipples.

Just make sure to practice safe nipple play by only wearing the nipple clamps for short periods of time. A good rule of thumb is to keep the looser ones on for no more than 30 minutes, and 15 minutes with tighter ones, says Finn. You should check your nipples regularly while you’re wearing them to make sure they aren’t becoming red, purple, or blue, which is a sign that you need to remove the clamps right away. Also, make sure you have a safety word with your partner when using nipple clamps with them so you can communicate if the sensation is too much.