The Science of Subspace
I often get asked the following questions around BDSM, ‘What attracts to people to BDSM?’ or ‘I don’t understand what anyone would get out of that?’ or ‘I don’t understand that pleasure pain thing, how can anyone find pain pleasure?’
I love these questions as they are thought provoking and here is an in depth blog as to why some people may be attracted to BDSM as I talk about natural chemicals that occur in each and everyone of us and how to manipulate then using BDSM techniques into natural highs.
I have in the past spoke about subspace, that erotic trance BDSM state where reality slips far from consciousness leaving a state of pure bliss but what exactly is sub space?
Subspace you could argue is how effective you are able to disconnect your thoughts form the body and float freely in space and time. If we were studying psychology then this state is referred to as dissociation but with different levels and chemicals released in subspace state making it a pleasurable experience.
Subspace on a physical level is about chemicals being released into the body such as endorphins, adrenaline, oxytocin and other hormones. On a mental level it is about calmness and deep relaxation. Each person will react differently to circumstances and how easy or not it is for someone to drop into subspace is dependant on their biological make up and mental capacity.
The first chemical the body releases are endorphins which some people have linked to a natural opium. Endorphins are stimulated by pain, physical activity such as exercise, running etc. Running is a great way to release endorphins so what has running got do with BDSM intensity (pain for pleasure). Like running the body releases endorphins when it is subject to pain in BDSM the pain is pleasurable and I will refer to it as intensity. Unlike running when endorphins are released little by little when someone is subject to intensity the endorphins releases all at once and will release again if the intensity is kept up every 5 – 10 minutes. Which is why when using pain as intensity there can be a peak of intensity followed by a level then a higher peak due. So your tolerance to impact play for example will change over time. The interesting thing that makes this so appealing to BDSM players is that each time there is a release of endorphins out level of consciousness is effected. Each person is different in the time scale to initial release of endorphins and while some will be affected immediately others will take time before the first release of endorphins. The state of subspace for them that have been there is like a drug induced state without the drugs.
The first signs of subspace is when the submissive starts to feel dizzy and are in a light state of drug induced state. I have seen and experienced this myself purely with eye contact and energy exchange. At the second stage adrenaline begins to be released along side the endorphins. This brings about a substantial change in consciousness as the submissive drops deeper into subspace, the adrenaline makes the submissive hypersensitive to stimulation. This is where impact play will trigger shaking and twitchings with vocalised responses dropping off and dropping into a deep sense of relaxation.
As subspace deepens the submissive becomes docile and accommodating and can endure any level of intensity. The work of the dominant is to remain fully in control and within boundaries as perceptions can change. This is fundamental to why I don’t allow a change of boundaries to what were agreed at the start of the session. So for example if someone said to me no anal play when they hit this stage of subspace I could quite easily do anal play and they may well ask for it but I would be overstepping pre agreed boundaries. The importance is to keep the submissive safe as this in itself facilitates deeper states in the future. This is the state where I have heard so many times of play turning form consensual to violations. The work of the dominant is fundamentally important at this state and a reason in itself why I wont allow myself to go into any state of subspace unless I am with someone with experience of this and someone I trust fully. Psychologists call this state movement freeze.
As subspace progresses and endorphins and adrenaline work together the submissive will be free of any inhibitions and feeling totally free it is important to speak to and communicate with the submissive in a very calm manner to keep them feeling safe and assured. This is the stage where the most change in consciousness occurs and the submissive feels like they have had a head full of Columbias finest.
The real point I am making here is the level of trust the submissive has in the dominant so they can fully relax into the experience. The later stages of subspace are best reached while laying down and I would never dream of pushing someone into the later stages while they were stood up as it detracts from the ability to fully let go and surrender to the sensations. I totally understand that subspace state brings a surrender of the submissives developed self-protection and the submissive hands over complete control to the dominant which is a huge responsibility. The importance of pre agreed boundaries and honouring them boundaries has never been more clear than in this circumstance.
As an experienced player of subspace states I also know how to stop a submissive going fully into the deep states of subspace by using various detraction techniques to keep the submissive in their body so there is a level of control that can be activated if the dominant is taking the submissive pass a pre agreed state.
Pain or intensity is one route into subspace but it can be reached in many other forms such as slave space where the submissive focuses their reactions and feelings on someone else the only difference is adrenaline is not realised in slave space. Bondage is another way of reaching subspace without intensity and brings about easily states of pure relaxation. This is one of the attractions to being tied up as it just facilities the ability to let go and surrender for some people and this is such a magical space if it is well held by the dominant. As stated the act of subspace is dissociation and as dissociation is a defence mechanism to handle boredom then this is what facilities the surrender into the rope. Again as an experienced dominant I have techniques that will allow you to remain more in your body or push you further in to subspace depending what the theme of the session is.
Subspace is not something a submissive can be forced into there has to be a will. It is about relaxing not tensing up, its about choosing to let go not to hold on, its about been attracted by total submission and surrender. In subspace oxytocin (the natural love drug) is present alongside the other natural chemicals this is what makes intensity, slave space, and bondage unique for realising subspace states over pain out side a BDSM scenario. I agree there is no thrill in falling and hurting yourself but there is a thrill in BDSM pain this is partly due to the oxytocin that is present.
As with all high intensity play after care is fundamentally important as the submissive may not be able to fully function on their own after a session to making sure they remain safe and cared for is as important if not more important than anything else. As the submissive’s body dispels the natural chemicals they will become cold and dehydrated so water and warmth is a must as well as time to fully recover. It is important that the dominant guides the submissive down slowly and safely back into their body as the submissive releases the natural chemicals. The dominant is the person who anchors the submissive back into the world.
I hope you take from this blog the reason why some people like intensity, others like to serve and others bondage. For some it runs much deeper than the actual visual acts, just like some recreational activities because they make them high, for some of those who have experienced subspace through BDSM activates the appeal of a natural chemical high is a main driver for submission, while for others it is about the act itself or the fantasy of the act. There are many reasons people are attracted to BDSM and subspace is just one of them.
Kisses Kristina Yorkshire Escort and Erotic Arts Explorer.. xxx
