Are you curious about the psychological underpinnings of BDSM?

Historically, BDSM has been shrouded in a “dark and psycho” aura, often associated with mental illness. However, societal perceptions have evolved over time. The American Psychiatric Association removed BDSM as a mental disorder in the 1980s, similar to their decision to remove homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973. This shift marked a significant step towards accepting individuals with non-vanilla or non-traditional sexual desires. BDSM is, at its core, a form of kinky play, and it is essential to recognize its legitimacy. Even the field of psychology has embraced this perspective.

For sceptics who remain unconvinced, let’s delve into the fascinating facts and explore the psychology behind BDSM: Why do people derive pleasure from this kink?

Understanding the Prevalence of BDSM

Let us begin with some statistical insights. Have you ever wondered how many individuals are involved in BDSM? Researchers have reported figures ranging from 2% to 62%, highlighting the broad margin of variation. This disparity arises from the phrasing and context of the questions posed when investigating individuals’ sexual behaviours.

On the lower end, researchers asked a large sample of Australians if they had “engaged in BDSM in the past 12 months.” In response, 1.3% of women and 2.2% of men affirmed their participation. Conversely, when the question shifted towards “sexual fantasies,” 64.6% of women and 53.3% of men admitted to fantasies involving sexual dominance, while 46.7% of women and 59.6% of men confessed fantasies of sexual domination.

Regardless of the variation in wording, it is evident that a significant minority of women and men either engage in or fantasize about BDSM in some form.

Are BDSM Practitioners Mentally Unwell?

Sigmund Freud (Austrian neurologist) famously considered BDSM fantasies to be indicative of mental illness, but recent research offers a contrasting perspective. In fact, studies suggest that compared to the general population, BDSM practitioners exhibit lower levels of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological sadism, psychological masochism, borderline pathology, and paranoia. Additionally, practitioners demonstrate higher levels of extraversion, conscientiousness, openness to experience, and subjective well-being. They also display lower levels of neuroticism and rejection sensitivity.

While BDSM practitioners do possess certain negative traits, such as lower levels of agreeableness, equivalent levels of obsessive-compulsive disorder, and higher levels of dissociation and narcissism. Overall, they can be considered psychologically healthier. Interesting, huh?

Psychological Motivations behind BDSM

Our natural instinct compels us to seek pleasure and avoid pain. This instinct is vital for survival. However, certain activities, such as marathons, tattoos, piercings, and BDSM, defy this instinctual psychology. The scientific explanation lies in the complex relationship between pain and pleasure, which is deeply rooted in our biology.

When we experience pain, the central nervous system releases endorphins, proteins that act as natural painkillers and generate feelings of euphoria akin to opiates. Endorphins are released in response to various types of pain, including the kind experienced during intense physical activities like running. As a result, endorphins not only alleviate pain but also trigger sensations of pleasure and well-being, similar to the effects of morphine or heroin.

Not All Pain Is Created Equal

It is crucial to recognize that not all pain triggers this pleasurable response. The concept of “benign masochism” helps explain the distinction. Benign masochism refers to seeking out pain while knowing that it will not cause serious harm, a behaviour unique to humans. For instance, consider the sensation of eating chili. The active ingredient, capsaicin, binds to temperature-sensitive receptors in our tongues, signalling the brain that the tongue is being burned. Although this experience is initially unpleasant, repeated exposure allows us to dissociate the pain from real physical danger. However, individuals who enjoy chili continue to experience the same level of sensitivity to capsaicin as those who dislike it.

This phenomenon highlights the distinctly human inclination toward seeking out and deriving enjoyment from intrinsically unpleasant experiences, such as engaging in intense roller coasters or watching emotionally evocative films. In contrast, animals do not share this capacity, as they typically avoid painful stimuli altogether.

Benign Masochism in BDSM

The concept of benign masochism aligns closely with practitioners’ experiences. A clear distinction is made between “good” pain, which is pleasurable and addictive for submissives, and “bad” pain, which signals potential harm and must be promptly addressed by dominant partners. For example, when a submissive experiences discomfort in their shoulder during bondage, it is crucial for dominants to release the pressure to ensure safety. This understanding further reinforces the notion that BDSM practitioners engage in consensual and risk-aware activities, prioritizing the well-being of all participants.

Impact of BDSM on Individuals

In the BDSM dynamic, the submissive individual relinquishes full control, receives stimulation, and follows orders, while the dominant partner provides stimulation, issues commands, and assumes complete authority. A study conducted to examine the psychological and physiological impact of BDSM measured various variables before and after scenes involving both submissives and dominants. The findings revealed that both submissives and dominants reported an increase in relationship closeness and a decrease in psychological stress following their scenes. However, submissives exhibited an increase in physiological stress as measured by cortisol levels, suggesting a potential altered state of consciousness.

To further explore this theory, researchers assigned BDSM practitioners who switch between dominant and submissive roles to participate in scenes as either dominants or submissives. The results indicated that both dominants and submissives entered altered states of consciousness but experienced distinct effects. Submissives entered a state associated with reduced pain perception, feelings of floating, peacefulness, living in the present moment, and distorted time perception. Dominants, on the other hand, entered a state characterized by focused attention, diminished self-consciousness, and optimal task performance. These altered states of consciousness may serve as primary motivations for individuals to engage and persist in BDSM activities.

Conclusion

Contrary to prevailing misconceptions, BDSM practitioners do not fit the stereotype of troubled individuals. Research suggests that they tend to exhibit greater psychological well-being and lower neuroticism compared to those with more conventional sexual preferences. By understanding the psychology behind pain and examining experiments conducted with BDSM practitioners, we can gain insight into the reasons people derive pleasure and benefit from this particular kink.