Good BDSM play involves intense physical, sexual, psychological and emotional exchanges, sometimes as a consequence of this the submissive goes into an altered state. This is often referred to as ‘Subspace’. It is a difficult experience to define as it both manifests and is experienced differently by different subs.
There is physiological subspace – the ‘high’ a submissive can feel during a scene, induced through sustained intense pain/pleasure. This triggers a sympathetic nervous system response, the body’s natural defense, producing adrenaline, endorphins & enkephalins, this also happens during exercise or extreme sports. They produce an analgesic effect and a feeling of exhilaration. Thus increasing the pain tolerance of the sub allowing the scene to reach a greater intensity.
Submissive’s often describe the experience as a floaty, spacey, drifting off feeling or trance like state. These sensations are actually why some people engage in BDSM as they can be quite addictive. The downside is that usually the next day you can feel very down, emotionally drained and exhausted. This is sometimes referred to as ‘subdrop’.
More complicated is psychological subspace – an altered state where you submit so entirely to another you lose yourself, it is overwhelming and not rational. It is closely connected to the acute feelings of lust & love when in a new relationship. And, can be
unhelpful if playing with someone you don’t know well as it can make you vulnerable.
It should be noted that not all physiological ‘highs’ are produced through pain stimulus, the profound deep relaxation that can be achieved in an intense bondage or sensory deprivation scene like mummification can result in the release of ‘natural highs’ like endorphins or neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin.
A conscientious domme will understand both these types of ‘subspace’ and the responsibility of the power they hold. Manipulated properly this state can be used to take a BDSM session to the pinnacle of sexual ecstasy for both players.
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Reading this (and not ignoring the picture), Mistress, what can a slut like me dream of, even hope for, but to find myself one day in your presence, your domination and control driving me inexorably into a subspace so wonderfully deep and intense that I would deliver to you slave service of the highest standard you demand.
“Gag, please… tight”!
You have hit the nail so cleanly on the head. As subs (and possibly as dommes too) we seek escape to a different plane (higher or lower, take your pick).
You have such powerful psychological insights, Mistress Sidonia. It’s so refreshing in an online discourse coloured so strongly by “give me the pain, show me the whip, coat yourself in the tightest latex and rattle the locks”, to get these views that escape the physical and enter the transcendental.
(Not that I’m knocking the physical – that stuff rocks of course!)