Holistic Wisdom, Inc.

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A cowboy is captured by Indians and told that he can have three requests for three days before he is killed. On the first day the cowboy requests his horse. He whispers into the horse's ear and the animal gallops away. The next day the horse returns with a hot blonde. "What's your next request?" ask the Indians. Again the cowboy asks for his horse and whispers something into its ear. The next day the horse returns with a redhead. This time the cowboy walks over to the horse and yells, "Posse, I said I want my posse."

The Hype About Toxic Sex Toys
Heated Debates, Myths & More

When we first started Holistic Wisdom, Inc. we did so with the intention of selling quality products with an emphasis on education and empowerment regarding holistic health and sexuality. As our involvement in sexual politics became increasingly active we became concerned that there was no one regulating the safety of sex toys. We began doing more and more research into the topic of potential toxins in sex toys and found an absolute mess in the mainstream media about them.

Lisa S. Lawless, Ph.D., C.E.O.
Holistic Wisdom Founder

We uncovered web sites that were making all types of errors in the information they were providing consumers and some of them were either not saying anything or were a bit over the top in the way they presented their information. We simply want to let you know what we have uncovered and what we have done about it so that you can have peace of mind about your choices when it comes to sexual health products.

Not Easy To Determine What Is Toxic

One of the challenges regarding the issue of toxins in sex toys is the desire of the general public to lump a type of toy into a toxic or not toxic category in any situation. For example, many people are now saying that anything that is considered a jelly sex toy is toxic. However, the truth is that not all jelly sex toys are toxic. It depends on what materials were used to create the "jelly" sex toy and how it was constructed. One of the issues is that there is not a set way that jelly sex toys are made or what materials are used to consistently make them. Then, when you throw in brands such as Jel-Lee, it is even more difficult to know what you are dealing with.

Determining how products are made and what is in them is nearly impossible for customers to do, and thus, why we felt we needed to do that work for you. The reason it is impossible for consumers to determine is because the manufacturers of the products are not listing all the materials used to make them or the process in which they were made on or in the product packaging. Therefore you would have to depend on the adult store you purchase them from to inform you and good luck getting accurate information with most of them. Most likely you will get a response from them that provides little to no information or scare tactics to talk you into extremely expensive sex toys. The truth is there are many choices of safe sex toys that range from low to high in cost.

You can try referring to web sites that have quick lists that most likely will tell you that ALL jelly style sex toys are toxic and full of phthalates (toxic "plasticizers" used to soften PVC vinyls) but as mentioned, that would not necessarily be true. Some Jelly style products are not made with phthalates such the Basix style dildos.

Smell Does Not Always Indicate Toxicity

Another issue is the smell factor. Generally, it has been said that you can smell some toxins through what is commonly referred to as that "new shower curtain smell," however; there is debate as to what level of exposure there is to those toxins. What some experts are claiming is that it is the smell of poisonous chemicals are off-gassing from the PVC. However, that does not mean that it is always unsafe if you smell something and it does not mean that all sex toys that smell are toxic.

Take for example the casting material used in the Clone A Willy & Make Your Own Dildo Kits. The material is a proprietary, highly specialized, organic thermoset polymer that is actually much safer than many of the adult toys currently on the market due to it�s stability when cured. It resists break down even when exposed to silicone or petroleum based lubricants, heat, cold, or other extremes. While the Clone A Willy is drying, you may experience a slight off-gassing (smell) until it reaches its full, cured properties (it usually takes a few days for complete cure). It�s a sweet-like smell, which is actually an amine. Amines are commonly found in ingestible drugs, and are completely safe. A polymer very similar to Clone A Willy�s is currently being used in condoms and in the bags that enclose silicone in breast implants.

Smell Study Debatable

A recent study released by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) on shower curtains received a great deal of media attention which in turn gave erroneous information about phthalates. It was not shocking that they found phthalates in the shower curtains, as phthalate esters are a key ingredient in soft vinyl (often found in shower curtains). The error was in saying that it is the phthalates that cause the smell when in fact, phthalates are odorless. Even more interesting was that the CHEJ failed to detect phthalates off-gassing from the shower curtains in its lab test. The other issue in this study that was overlooked, is that phthalate exposure levels can vary and shower curtains and reports show that those in the U.S. are well within safe levels, as verified by data from the U.S. Government Centers for Disease Control.

Sex Toys Require Extra Precautions

Of course regarding the matter of sex toys, there is still not much information available in the mainstream media and thus caution should be exercised considering that most sex toys are inserted or come into contact with some of the most porous parts of our bodies. This would make absorption of toxins quite easy and is why we are ensuring that products sold on our web sites are all considered within the safe zones that we have outlined through our research.

Lubricants are another issue that many people do not think about, let alone massage oils, creams and other products that are absorbed by the skin. It is why we carry a limited array of lubricants and related products as we are strict about what they can have in them.

For example, when a study was released that Benzocaine (found in most sexual Desensitizers) can cause irregular heartbeats and even death we pulled those products from our site and posted articles about it. While the study showed that it mainly involved leaving the creams on the skin for long periods of time or on large portions of their bodies, we felt that due to the fact that the creams are put into highly absorptive parts of the body that it is simply not worth the risk. You will find that most adult stores still carry many of those products with no warnings to consumers about them.

Sex Toy Stores Typically In The Dark

Most people who work in and for sex toy stores do not know what are in sex toys and are often in the dark about what makes something toxic. Because sex toys are not regulated (they fall under novelties rather than medical devices by FDA classifications) many in the adult industry do not know what sex toys are made of (as the materials are often not listed on or in the packaging). Often the companies that do claim to be knowledgeable are making blanket statements as to whether a type of product is safe or not.

Common Myths

We have seen other web sites stating information that is simply not true based on the scientific research that is available. For example, some are claiming that if a sex toy is not 100% silicone then it is toxic. This is not necessarily true, as it depends on what other ingredients the manufacturer added to the silicone.

A while back a website visitor contacted us to say that our Sue Johanson sex toy line was not 100% medical grade silicone and was therefore it must have phthalates in them, making them toxic. We double checked our research and in actuality, while it is not 100% medical grade silicone, the products are made with other materials that are phthalate free and thus the claims were false. It is easy to see why someone might jump to the conclusion when you read a lot of the hype on other web sites, but it is important to remain focused on factual information rather than fall into the dramatic claims that many are now making. It not only hurts falsely accused companies, but it denies the public of accurate information and products that are perfectly safe for them to use.

Research Still Needed

There simply needs to be more long term research to truly make some of the claims people are making about adult products at this point. It is irresponsible to become an extremist in either direction on this topic. As we researched for our own resources, we found that many web sites had inaccurate or misleading information. This was not only frustrating for us as we sorted through months of research, but it was alarming that many of these web sites were making false claims and / or blanket statements about toxins in sex toys in such a manner that an unsuspecting consumer would simply swallow these things as the truth.

What Holistic Wisdom Is Doing About Sex Toy Safety

There are so many questions that customers have about what is safe and what is not so, we have and are continuing to provide research to help with the most up to date information. However, because it can be confusing enough just to pick out a sex toy, we decided to go completely nontoxic as well as green rather than make customers have to go through all of our research just to select a safe product.

Our hope is to raise the bar on this issue of sex toy safety and to provide truthful, responsible information to consumers. We have gone straight to the manufacturers as well as consulted with multiple chemists to find out about every sex toy we carry. We have researched each product to determine what it is constructed of and if it falls under what we know to be safe. We have also decided that until there is more information on some of the questionable materials, we are going to err on the side of caution and refuse to carry products that contain them.

We have pulled all of our questionable products (which could not be verified as safe and nontoxic sex toys) in addition to providing recycling information on the materials in the products we sell. We are also a green company that practices what we preach when it comes to helping the environment and empowering people about their health.

We have done this so that those who visit our stores can feel comfortable knowing that no matter what they purchase, it is safe for them to use. After all, having peace of mind when it comes to sexual health is what we specialize in. Sex should be relaxing, fun, pleasurable and we want to make that as easy as possible for you to enjoy. If you have any questions or feedback about this article, please feel free to contact us as we are happy to hear from our readers.

The Best & Worst Sex Toys
The Top Selling Green Sex Toys & The Worst Sex Toys

If you have ever wondered what our top selling green sex toys are and what are some of the worst sex toys we have seen, you will enjoy our lists below-

I am writing to you to ask you what you think about superficial sex. I feel stuck. I masturbate looking at porn and I feel like it is not fulfilling anymore.

Thank you for writing. I think that what you are talking about is something many people can relate to. Unfortunately, many people in our society focus on superficial aspects of sexuality most of the time. While there is nothing wrong with having glamorized images of sexuality through things like magazines, television shows and porn movies... there is something wrong with making that all one is exposed to.

In order to have substance in one's life, you must become more whole yourself. Too often people think that if neglect their mind, body and spirit when it comes to things that are fulfilling that it won't matter. For example... if someone eats healthy for the most part but occasionally has fast food, then they are going to feel pretty good physically when it comes to how their body is responding to the food they consume. However, if you eat fast food all the time, then you will not.

The same applies to sexuality. In order to be in touch with sexuality on a higher level, there is a need to connect with it in a way that allows you to nurture yourself. Creating intimacy is important. Now, most people assume that intimacy has to be between two people in a meaningful relationship. This is not the type of intimacy I am referring to. I am talking about intimacy with yourself.

When was the last time you masturbated without porn? When did you caress more than just your penis? Men often overlook that taking time to nurture themselves and get in touch with their bodies. There are many ways you can get in tune with your sexuality on a deeper level. For example, spend some time in a hot bath, listening to music that connects you to a relaxing, sensual place. Move your hands over your body and take time to seduce yourself. Connect with your breathing, connect with your spirit. Sex does not have to just be about the physical, you can integrate the mental and emotional parts of yourself into it through meditation, Tantric exercises and much more.

Begin to see sexuality as a creative way for you to get to know yourself better. Break some of your routines and explore new ways of exploring what meaning there is for you. What will be the best path for you to take is something that you must discover through your own exploration with what feels best for you. However opening yourself up to wanting more, is the first step and you just took it by writing to me, so keep on walking as there awaits a better you sexually and as a whole.

He lay on the bed and started to study the reports, why did he think it was such a good idea to bring them home with him. They were really detailed and complex and were giving him such a headache. He lay back on the bed and closed his eyes. He thought about his life, despite his recent divorce, it was all going well, going to plan as they said. He has all trappings, good job, kids at university, nice car, two houses, but there was something missing, and he knew it was her.

He had worked with her about fifteen years ago, she was his secretary, and try as he might he could not shake off her memory. He was 37 to her 28 when he met her. He was immediately taken in by her large brown eyes � she looked Italian/Spanish and he knew immediately, he wanted her, even though at the time he was a married man, he was so drawn to her, she completely took his breath away. He remained loyal to his wife during the time they worked together, but it had not been easy.

He began to doze off, but suddenly he was jolted awake by the thought, he had to call her, to see if there was any way they could get together. He nervously dialed her number and could barely speak when he heard her soft, sensuous voice come on from an answering machine. He left his contact information and asked if she might want to get a cup of coffee sometime. He felt like a teenager and hung up the phone chastising himself for not being more confident.

After hours of looking through his reports, sleep found him. It seemed like only minutes had passed since he had been looking at them when he opened his eyes and saw her there, in his bedroom. In absolute shock, he opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. She looked amazing, her hair was long and curly, her body tanned, he could even smell her, that same sweet musky smell, it reminded him of her cunt. She smiled at him, said nothing and approached the bed. She was wearing a black raincoat. Very slowly she undid the buttons, one at a time and underneath she was wearing a sexy lace black bra, and he could see her large red erect nipples through the bra.

He could not remember being this aroused, and he felt his cock beginning to strain against the zip in his trousers. He noticed that although she had on lace stockings, which outlined her fantastically toned legs, she was commando. He saw she had totally shaved her pussy, just as he liked. She undid her bra, her gorgeous breasts were free, and he wanted to hold them and suck them, he made a move toward her, but she just smiled and moved slightly away. She began to touch her breasts and rub her large pink nipples all the while maintaining eye contact with him. She was such a tease, but then he had always loved that about her.

She then moved toward the bed, he was going to touch her now, feel her, he had missed her so fucking much, some days he physically ached for her. He softly touched the inside of her thigh, and his fingers slowly worked his way towards her womanhood. As he caressed her and licked his fingers he reveled in the sweet sticky smell and taste of it. His fingers then outlined her vaginal lips; he could feel the warmth of her wetness and began to slowly tease her large swollen clit. She moaned softly as his fingers rubbed back and forth.

He knew how to turn her on more than any man had ever done. He felt his cock come to life in his trousers, and he wanted her so badly. She started to kiss him and undid his trousers very slowly. She realized his throbbing member and began to rub and play with it. He was so hard and throbbing it was unreal.

He moaned her name as he lay back and let her touch him. He was totally and utterly in her power, he closed his eyes again as he felt her wet soft sensuous mouth go down on his cock. He had to move her off, or he knew he would shoot his milky white cum deep into her throat, and as much as he wanted to, he wanted to lick her pussy and feel and taste her completely. He sat up slightly and moved her onto his face.

She moaned as his tongue fucked her deeply, her sticky sweet juices were all over his face, he loved it, he had longed for her for so long. He wanted her to come on his face; just as she used to. He kept fucking her with his tongue deeper and deeper, until he heard her moan his name, and she was panting and trembling. Her orgasm was so intense, he felt such unison between them at this moment, and nothing could break it. His cock it felt like it was going to burst.

He needed her so desperately now. He stayed very still as she climbed off his face, mounted him, and began to ride him. He groaned as she smiled and started to fuck him faster. She was gorgeous, her cunt was as tight as he had imagined, he loved being inside her, they were meant to be. He pushed his cock inside her deeply, her pussy walls gripped him and he knew she loved his cock inside her as she gasped. She was moaning his name as she began to kiss him. His tongue was in her mouth and his cock was deep in her cunt, he was in heaven. He wanted to fuck her forever and he knew their sexual bond would never be broken, even after all these years.

He couldn�t stop, he wanted her to ride him until he came in her wet cunt. Just as he began to come, he opened his eyes and to his disbelief, there was no one there. He reached up to touch his face it was wet and sticky, dream or no dream, she was very much with him� Still.

This section is for sexual current events and news; allowing our web site visitors to hear sex news around the world.

Eating soy-based foods on a regular basis could cut your sperm count in half, a new study suggests. The plant contains isoflavones, a variety of chemicals which have a similar effect on the body as the female hormone estrogen, the BBC reports.

Spider-Man is finally going to lose his virginity. Brian Bendis, the writer behind Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man comic, tells Newsarama that Peter Parker and sweetheart Mary Jane will do the deed in the upcoming October installment.

England's Daily Mail chronicles the rise of "gastrosexuals" -- men who learn to cook in order to get laid. According to a new study, "48 percent of people say being able to cook makes a person more attractive to them and 23 percent of 18-34 year old men say they cook to potentially seduce a partner."

A prominent New York lawyer has been accused of laundering money for a strip club which offered sex services through a voter reform group, the New York Times reports. According to police, 52-year-old tax lawyer Louis Posner used Voter March, an organization which contested the 2000 U.S. Presidential election results, to funnel profits for the Hot Lap Dance Club, where "the wealthy clientele paid as much as $5,000 for sex with dancers in private rooms."

A new product called Liquid Virgin is billed as a "tightening lubricant" that promises to make the user's vagina temporarily taut. The jury's still out on whether the stuff actually works, but one active ingredient is potassium alum, a sour food additive that makes your mouth pucker. It is also unknown how it affects a man's penis during sex.

Thrill-seeking couples have long organized adventurous weddings, tying the knot underwater or midair during a skydive. Now they can go one better with a ceremony that is truly out of this world - 100km above Earth. A Japanese company called First Advantage has teamed up with American aerospace firm Rocketplane to offer the first �space weddings�. From today, starry-eyed couples can sign up for atmospheric ceremonies on board Rocket Plane XP. The voyages will start in 2011 and will take each wedding party 100km above Earth. The �Premium plan� allows couples to invite two lucky guests in addition to the pilot and priest on the one-hour flight and also includes a four-day training period. A wedding dress and party at the spaceport is thrown in, with live broadcasting so friends and family can watch the ceremony from the planet�s surface. The big day doesn�t come cheap, costing �1.1million.

Swedish researchers have found that some physical attributes of the homosexual brain resemble those found in the opposite sex. Some psychological tests have shown differences between men and women in the extent to which they employ the brain�s hemispheres in verbal tasks. Other research has hinted that homosexuals may exhibit the tendencies of the opposite sex in brain behavior unrelated to sexual activity.

Geneticists of Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) are the first to determine the DNA sequence of a woman. She is also the first European whose DNA sequence has been determined. Following in-depth analysis, the sequence will be made public, except incidental privacy-sensitive findings. The results will contribute to insights into human genetic diversity. The DNA is that of Dr. Marjolein Kriek, a clinical geneticist at LUMC. �If anyone could properly consider the ramifications of knowing his or her sequence, it is a clinical geneticist,� says professor Gert-Jan B van Ommen, leader of the LUMC team and director of the �Center for Medical Systems Biology� (CMSB), a center of the Netherlands Genomics Initiative.

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