Conscious Pleasure: A Conversation with Sophie McGrath, Founder of “ Bed Intentions”

In 2021, a search for a lubricant that was safe, effective, and kind to the environment revealed a surprising lack of innovation in the intimate wellness space. Most products were poorly formulated, wrapped in layers of plastic, and far from body-friendly.

This frustration sparked The Department of Bed Intentions, a Melbourne-based brand bringing high standards to sexual health and sleep. Alongside scientist Wanda Chin, the founders created products that are simple, sustainable, and science-led.

The brand’s first launch, a water-based lubricant, became the world’s first microbiome-friendly certified lubricant, balancing pleasure with natural body care. Six months later, Bed Intentions introduced the Natural Tingle Balm, the first dissolvable capsule in the industry. Infused with ginger, cardamom, and peppermint oils, it adds a cooling, tingling boost to intimacy while staying eco-conscious and completely plastic-free.

“We wanted to create products that feel good, do good, and leave no harm behind. Pleasure should never come at the cost of your body or the planet.”

Looking ahead, Bed Intentions plans to expand its product range with innovative sleep solutions, continuing to fill gaps in the market while staying true to its founding principles. At its core, Bed Intentions is about more than just products; it’s about elevating experiences, fostering a community, and setting new standards for sexual wellness and sleep health worldwide.

Sophie McGrath
Bed Intentions

Take us back to the moment in 2021 when you realized the sexual wellness space needed a shake-up. What pushed you to start Bed Intentions?

I was looking for a lubricant that was safe for my body and better for the planet, and I was honestly shocked at what I found. So many products were full of harsh ingredients, overpackaged in plastic, and clearly not designed with women’s health in mind. It felt like no one was asking the right questions about what goes on in and into our bodies. That frustration quickly turned into a realization: if I wanted something that was effective, kind, and considered, I’d have to create it myself. on in

Many brands talk about sustainability, but you’ve built it into every aspect of your product. Why was plastic-free packaging so important to you?

Plastic packaging just didn’t make sense to me. Pleasure products should feel good from start to finish, and sending something home wrapped in single-use plastic didn’t align with that. By using recyclable aluminum tubes and dissolvable capsules, we’ve proven that you can create products that are both premium and planet-friendly. It’s about making conscious decisions at every stage so our customers don’t have to compromise.

Beyond the product, Bed Intentions holds B-Corp and Carbon Positive certifications. What does that level of accountability mean to you as a founder?

For me, it’s about putting our values into action. Anyone can say they’re sustainable, but B-Corp and Carbon Positive certifications mean we’ve been rigorously assessed and held to the highest standards. It keeps us honest, transparent, and constantly improving. As a founder, it’s reassuring to know that our impact is being measured in a meaningful way, not just for marketing, but for real accountability.

The sex and sleep market is often crowded with gimmicks. How do you ensure Bed Intentions stays authentic and purposeful?

We never create for the sake of it. Every product has to solve a real problem, meet a genuine need, and hold up scientifically. Working with Wanda, our Head of Product, means everything we launch is grounded in research and efficacy. We also listen closely to our community; their feedback shapes where we go next. That’s how we avoid the noise and stay true to what matters: products that are simple, sustainable, and science-led.

At the end, when people try your products and share their reviews, how does it feel to hear their feedback, and what are your goals for Bed Intentions in the coming year?

Hearing people say our products have changed the way they experience intimacy, whether that’s through feeling more comfortable, more connected, or more confident, is incredibly rewarding. It’s proof that all the thought and care we put in is making a real difference. Looking ahead, our goal is to expand into sleep, because rest is just as vital to well-being as intimacy. We’ll keep innovating, building community, and raising standards for what people can expect from this space.

The Future of Conscious Pleasure

Bed Intentions goes beyond being just a brand; it’s a commitment. It demonstrates that sexual wellness can be safe, eco-conscious, and carefully crafted without ever sacrificing pleasure. Sophie isn’t simply making products; she’s creating meaningful experiences, raising the bar for the industry, and showing that intimacy can be gentle on both your body and the planet.

In a world full of gimmicks and shortcuts, Bed Intentions is an invitation to slow down, be present, and embrace pleasure responsibly. It’s a movement that says you can care for yourself, your partner, and the environment all at once because true wellness doesn’t come at a cost.

To make it even easier to experience, Bed Intentions is offering a special shipping rate for UK customers: just £5 on orders over £40, bringing conscious pleasure straight to your door.

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