When I play with pain I usually start with a gentle warm up, then I ramp it up as he gets used to it. I keep an eye on his reactions, slow it down when he looks like he is reaching the edge of his tolerance, then ramp it up again after he comes back a little, each time going a little harder etc. And I generally keep going until I think he’s had enough. Where that point is depends on what I was trying to do with him, but if I’m pushing, by the time I stop he will be as high as a kite, floating off into space, barely tethered to the earth any more. Beautiful!
It’s not exactly random, but it’s certainly not designed specifically to make the most of his endorphins.
I found this fascinating article which takes a very practical look at how to get your submissive all floaty-high by manipulating the body’s response to maximise endorphin release.
“The Endorphin Levels in BDSM – a short primer on sending a submissive into hyperspace”
– by Terry*
It’s very specific about how to use the body’s physical reactions to make the most of the release of endorphins with the right timing and intensity.
The theory behind it is that endorphins all get released at once, and it takes ten minutes for the endorphin load to build back up after they’ve been released. I’m not going to rehash the article, but it’s really well worth a read, so go take a look (I want to note here that the author talks about pushing limits quite casually, and I read it as ‘limits of pain tolerance’ not ‘negotiated soft or hard limits’).
What I AM going to do is describe the type of play that is recommended in it to maximise endorphin release. It describes six levels of endorphin release, and each is reached with the same cycle of activity, increasing the intensity each time.
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- Start with a few minutes of relatively mild stimulation to get the submissive to release the first endorphin load. This is level one, which is essentially just increased pain tolerance.
Then do the following cycle four times to move through the levels:
- Ten minutes of relatively light but constant stimulation (sensation play, or light flogging) which allows the endorphins to build up again.
- After the ten minutes, build intensity over a five minute period with a sudden 10–15 seconds or so of intense stimulation just beyond the submissive’s current pain threshold. This triggers the endorphin release.
- Rinse and repeat.
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The article describes the levels at each point of endorphin release this way:
- Level One. There is no altered state of consciousness yet – but there is an increased pain threshold.
- Level Two. There is still no perceivable altered state of consciousness, but there is a considerable and noticeable leap in pain threshold.
- Level Three. The submissive will feel a little bit ‘woozy’ — exhibiting a “mildly drugged” state.
- Level Four. There will be a very definite altered state of consciousness, and the submissive will feel clearly drugged. This is countered by the largest charges of adrenalin they have received so far (from the intense climax just used to push them over this “edge”), so they will still be quite communicative and their reaction time will still be quick
- Level Five. A state of supreme ecstasy, docility, relaxation, with the ability to take just about anything you could throw at them. Very clearly in an altered state of consciousness.
This is where they advise that the play should end unless you know your submissive very well (danger, danger Will Robinson!!). But if you continue, the next level is described this way:
- Level Six. With all the adrenalin in the body along with the heavy dose of endorphins, behavior of the submissive can become unpredictable. They are in an intensely altered state of consciousness, their reactions could possibly be of an extremely primitive nature, and they may be capable of only ‘animal-like’ noises and reactions, and no or very little recognizable speech.
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The article is a bit annoyingly definitive in parts (as if everyone is the same), and we all know that isn’t true, but I’ve never seen such a clear playbook for hitting an endorphin high.
Is the information correct? I don’t know. Any qualified professionals want to weigh in on the theory?
Will it work? I really haven’t a clue, and I have no way to test it right now (boo!), but I still found it fascinating.
If any of you do try it, I’d be really interested to hear the results.
* The author, Terry says “I am not a medical doctor, though this information, where applicable, has been checked with a doctor and two nurses who are in the scene”, so make of that what you will.
21 comments
Well I can’t weigh in on it however I will say that while I am not fascinated by the pain itself the idea of falling over into Level Six is truly fascinating to me. The power, passion, control, and closeness that would be involved just makes me fall over swooning.
I wonder out of curiosity how many people actually do hit level 6 and if there is a more common level normally hit by the majority. I would be interested in finding that information. Aside from the process have you experienced getting a submissive to level 6 completely you think?
Respectfully,
Mysticlez
In answering this, I realise that I’m quite irritated by the ‘levels’ thing because of the ‘more hardcore than you’ feel of it. Even though that’s not the intent. Maybe ‘stages’ would have been a better choice by the author.
Anyhow, digression.
I actually think that probably quite a lot of people get to level 6 in their personal interactions. I imagine you’d really never see it out in public.
By (some of) the description provided for it, I’d guess that I took my last to level 6 once.
At the end of the play I am thinking of, he became unresponsive, was certainly unable to articulate, his body went limp, and he was drooling all over the table without realising. If he had not been supported by a table, he would have fallen down. He needed help walking a few paces from the table to the bed afterwards. It was incredibly powerful.
So yeah, I’d say that was around a 6.
Ferns
I have never experienced anything like that before. The only play I have ever done was very limited in nature, and while it was fun and interesting, It never approached anything close to what is described in the article. I have read the article before, and while it seems plausible, I really cannot say, from experience, if it is accurate
“The only play I have ever done was very limited in nature, and while it was fun and interesting, It never approached anything close to what is described in the article.”
I think if it was casual play then that’s probably the norm (especially if it was public). I think in personal play many (most?) people would get somewhere further along that spectrum relatively frequently.
“I really cannot say, from experience, if it is accurate”
There are very few who can unless they read the article and tested it out specifically.
I guess this is most useful for those who want to guarantee it, or who have never gotten there. I’d really love to give it a try, though figuring out a way to time things without it being some intrusive thing would be tricky!
Ferns
I appreciate that someone has tried to think about this from an anatomical perspective of how to best get someone way out in subspace. That said, I wouldn’t want play to follow such a specific formula as this.
As much as I like the floaty-high feeling that follows heavy impact play, that isn’t why I do it. I do it for my partner’s reactions (to my reactions). Her pressing up against me and whispering how fucking hot it is when I squirm and thrash (or when I struggle to not squirm or thrash because she told me to stay still) is way better than sub space.
Mind you, sub space is really, really good — if I get there during play, afterwards everyone comments on the huge smile I have for hours — it’s just that knowing my partner is thrilled by the play we’re having is that much better.
“That said, I wouldn’t want play to follow such a specific formula as this.”
Hey, it’s not your call!! And there’s no reason why you’d even know she was doing it (unless you were timing her… WHY ARE YOU TIMING HER?!) *laugh*
“Her pressing up against me and whispering how fucking hot it is when I squirm and thrash (or when I struggle to not squirm or thrash because she told me to stay still) is way better than sub space.”
I’m not sure why you think you can’t have both. Those 10 minute blocks of constant stimulation… yeah, plenty of time for all that.
I do get your point. I don’t generally play with the purpose of getting him endorphined up, or *endorphined up to the max!!* as some sort of end goal. I play for many and varied reasons and in many and varied ways.
For me, THIS seems like a hugely useful tool in the toolbox for when I just want him to be a blithering mess on the floor. Instead of ‘guessing’, IF this worked, I know I’d have a way to get him there. And it would be *really* fun to try.
Ferns
More importantly than why am I timing her, HOW am I timing her? :P
I’m not saying it’s a matter of having one or the other. I guess what I’m saying is that having a formula for pushing as efficiently and quickly to a deep phase of subspace misses the point, at least as far as I’m concerned.
Although I would be happy to help a partner test the author’s observations. FOR SCIENCE!
(To be fair, some of the very best times I’ve had playing did go about like that: warmup, ramp up the intensity, back off a little bit, ramp it up further, back off again, etc.)
“More importantly than why am I timing her, HOW am I timing her? :P”
This is a most excellent question!! :P
“I guess what I’m saying is that having a formula for pushing as efficiently and quickly to a deep phase of subspace misses the point, at least as far as I’m concerned.”
Unless ‘seeing what you can do with your submissive’s body’ is the point (and really, how is that not a completely valid and awesome point?!)!!
Oh, or *science*!! Oh yeah, that’s what I meant… FOR SCIENCE *smile*.
“…some of the very best times I’ve had playing did go about like that: warmup, ramp up the intensity, back off a little bit, ramp it up further, back off again, etc”
I think a lot of ‘normal’ impact play goes like that, so the general idea isn’t anything new. I think that kind of fluctuation in play is kind of instinctual. The difference here is the precision of timing and intensity based on endorphin build-up and release.
I think you should find a science-friendly partner and test it out…
Ferns
I’m no doctor but it seems fairly accurate given it’s generality In my experience it describes the stages very well indeed…..
Of course this means I now need a cattle prod that goes to 7
Coug
“Of course this means I now need a cattle prod that goes to 7”
You mean you don’t have one already?!! *gasp… faints with shock*
Bzzzzttt… (that was only a 6 at best).
Ferns
I really liked reading this article as many just want to jump to intense pain without working into the threshold, and on the other side, many can’t figure how to get to sub space and figure they’re incapable of it.
I agree. I DO think that there are some players who don’t ‘get’ that ‘sudden wacking’ is simply going to register as ‘Ow! Hurts!’ without any of the goodness. And I suspect that can turn a lot of people OFF playing with pain at all.
I would love it if someone who had played plenty, but who had NEVER had an endorphin high from pain play were to be on the receiving end of this to see if it works.
So curious!
Ferns
I have seen “Level 5” for sure and possibly “Level 6” in a few people I’ve played with before. I have no recollection of what got them there since it’s been a long time. But now I really want to experiment! Unfortunately, I am currently without anyone to experiment on. But that is only temporary. I clearly need a lab coat for this endeavor.
“But now I really want to experiment!”
Me too!! *twitch*
“I clearly need a lab coat for this endeavor.”
Clearly!! And a clipboard!
Ferns
I am a doctor, just not medical :)
That said, I’ve hit level 4 and maybe 5 a handful of times, but pretty close to never from pain play — intense bondage (e.g., mummification) and sensory deprivation that goes on long enough can get me there, even — or especially — without any interaction.
Take that as you will for your purposes.
Ahh… interesting.
Thanks for sharing.
Ferns
I wonder if this has some application for non-pain types of stimulation?
I have not experienced much pain stimulus and certainly not for long enough periods to do any of this. However, I have experienced bondage with intense and repeated edging for long periods. Long enough to duplicate some of these effects perhaps, though not so precisely orchestrated or methodical.
And I have felt similar to what is described for level 3, if it can contain elements of ecstasy, docility, relaxation,difficulty forming thoughts and words, and a feeling of extreme submissiveness and acceptance of anything the Domme wants to do.
Interesting…something that needs more exploration perhaps.
It sounds like you and Naga are on the same page in this.
I imagine there are actually many ways to get to a similar state, and the only different thing about this one is it’s based (allegedly) on actual physiology, so (theortically) should work for *most* people.
Ferns
my approach to BDSM is very much on the SM end of the spectrum. and yes, i absolutely do know stage 6. more than once. happy times…. the pattern described, seems pretty accurate to what brings me there, but it depends a lot on the day, how long it takes for me to get there, as it is not only a matter of the endorphins, but also of “riding the wave” of pain and not fighting it.
i also want to add, that i definitely wouldn’t call that subspace. for me this “flying” i get from pain play is in a way a similar “dizzyness”, but definitely far from the place i go to, when falling into subspace.
for example, my subspace is totally oriented on the other person, while in the state caused by pain, i do have an enormous connection with the other person, but it is not oriented on him/her at all but rather an “enjoying the flight” together.
ok, i hope this was not too random to make sense ;)
No, not random at all! Thank you for sharing.
“it depends a lot on the day, how long it takes for me to get there, as it is not only a matter of the endorphins, but also of “riding the wave” of pain and not fighting it”
Ahh… interesting. THIS is why it would be so interesting to experiment with this ‘formula’. Theoretically, it’s completely independent of other factors (such as mental state) because it’s purely about your body’s physical reaction.
“i also want to add, that i definitely wouldn’t call that subspace”
I agree. I didn’t call it ‘subspace’ for exactly the reasons you state. I think that subspace can be quite different from a physically endorphined state (though they can happen at the same time).
I appreciate your insights.
Ferns
This seems like a fun experiment. I’ve never been “endorphined up” before, but it sounds like it would be fun to try. Then have it recorded… for science!