Brains, Pain, and the Discovery Channel

[madetotakeit]

Last night Discovery channel ran The Human Body:Sensations. Very interesting information about how the body reacts to pain. One of the pre-break teasers said "Pain keeps us alive." I chuckled at that. It can be true in a couple of different ways. It explained how during the fight or flight response the endorphins coat the synapses to prevent the pain signals from reaching the brain. One of the examples they used to show the power of the brain over pain was dental surgery under hypnosis. No medications were given. They filmed the procedure and the guy obviously felt no pain. The Dentist had planted the suggestion in his mind that the feelings he experienced were pleasant, the whirring of the drill was the sound of electronic toys.

This made me think. Many people have talked about the presentation of a situation has a direct effect on whether it is enjoyed or not. I know I discovered I enjoyed pain (granted mild pain) when it was introduced in the middle of something I was enjoying a great deal. His words and presence at the time I know have a great deal to do with how I reacted. I now crave something that I truthfully wasn't sure that I would like so much as submit to. So I wonder, is the buildup before an action a form of not so much hypnosis, but a reprogramming of sensations? Is the PYL's ability to tap into the pyl's mind and recognize what needs to be said in order to elicit the desired reaction?

Just a thought, but after watching the show it seems to make sense.

 

[SweetGigi]

I am so glad I watched this last night. I have been pondering the same thoughts and will be interested to hear what the PYL's here have to say. I personally have NEVER been a pain lover, even though I have a very high tolerance for it. I've always been more for the 'mind f**k' so to speak. The biggest reason I was always so afraid of pain with Jim was because there was no disconnect from it- he wanted me to feel it totally unbuffered. Had there been some sort of masking or preparation involved, I might have been more receptive. This past weekend, a good friend of mine and I traded licks for some cleansing and catharsis. While the tears brought to my face were not just brought on by the licks- the licks definitely initiated them. (God what HUGE hands; I'll be bruised for days) Before we presented to each other, we took the time to express what it was we wanted to be cleansed of and afterwards, we comforted each other with warm arms, soothing words and sensitive gestures. During the event, we each whispered deeply motivating words to keep us in the 'zone' and gauge where we were in the moment. All in all I have to say it was the most enlightening and moving pain experience I have ever taken part of. Anyone have any thoughts comments or queries on this? Do you think I was more respective to being 'beaten' by my GBF rather than my ex because of the prep and care involved?

 

[madetotakeit]

I didn't realize until I felt it that I could not only like pain, but be drawn to it. Like you, I always thought the mind f*ck was what attracted me the most and the actions I wanted to play out would be enhancements to that. We'll see how I think about it once someone gets into my mind and has a little fun.

 

[DVS]

Part of my fun is using words to create a visual image in the submissive's mind. I can make a five inch dildo seem like it's 8 inches, just from creating an image in her mind.

Pain can be enhanced the same way. A lot of my torment isn't so much pain, but how it's applied, coupled with the visual image I put into her mind. The brain is the sex organ of choice...the largest sex organ, they call it. Everything is in the mind. What we feel is felt because our brain told us to feel it.

The image I try to create in the submissive's mind is probably a form of the hypnosis that show talked about. I guess could just as easily create the image that the pain I give her won't hurt. But, because I'm not a dentist, but a bit of a sadist, I want the pain to be enhanced, not stopped.

I wish I had seen the show. It might have given me some pointers.

 

[madetotakeit]

It's not so much implanting the idea that the pain won't hurt (that kind of takes some of the fun out of it,) but making the pain something to be craved. Even with the pain threshold I have, I felt the pain. I just ended up liking what I was experiencing.

 

[Homburg]

Complex topic.

Presentation is a large amount of it, as is connection. I will talk to a bottom I'm not familiar with and reassure, ask questions, and generally communicate what is going on. I will also do it mockingly if that is what I feel the scene wants. Sometimes, however, I just do whatever the hell I want, and words are less important. This requires a better knowledge of the bottom.

As far as pain, and want for it, I tend to go for bottoms that I know will conform to my need to give pain because of their emotional make-up, as well as those who want the pain. That said, it is simplicity to make something hurt more or less based on manipulating that emotional connection with words, style of play, impact character (yes, the same implement can be used multiple ways to elicit different reactions), tempo, etc.

viv does not actually like pain all that much. She does, however, love serving me, and her acceptance of pain makes the experience all the more sweet for me. I've played with leatherbutt, super high pain tolerance types, and it just was not as satisfying. I'd honestly rather have someone with less pain tolerance and a greater desire to please, serve, and accept. The sacrifice on the part of a bottom like this more than makes up for the need to play lightly. It is the sacrifice, acceptance, and service that I adore.

And the pretty noises. Yelp for me the way I ask, and I will love you.

 

[the captians wench]

Complex topic.

Presentation is a large amount of it, as is connection. I will talk to a bottom I'm not familiar with and reassure, ask questions, and generally communicate what is going on. I will also do it mockingly if that is what I feel the scene wants. Sometimes, however, I just do whatever the hell I want, and words are less important. This requires a better knowledge of the bottom.

As far as pain, and want for it, I tend to go for bottoms that I know will conform to my need to give pain because of their emotional make-up, as well as those who want the pain. That said, it is simplicity to make something hurt more or less based on manipulating that emotional connection with words, style of play, impact character (yes, the same implement can be used multiple ways to elicit different reactions), tempo, etc.

viv does not actually like pain all that much. She does, however, love serving me, and her acceptance of pain makes the experience all the more sweet for me. I've played with leatherbutt, super high pain tolerance types, and it just was not as satisfying. I'd honestly rather have someone with less pain tolerance and a greater desire to please, serve, and accept. The sacrifice on the part of a bottom like this more than makes up for the need to play lightly. It is the sacrifice, acceptance, and service that I adore.

And the pretty noises. Yelp for me the way I ask, and I will love you.

Now there's a touchy subject. Is it submission if you do it because you like to, not because of your need to serve? Selective submission I've heard it refured to. Although that's just as bad as saying "you're not a real sub if you don't submit to pain".

I do get pleasure from pain, but I get more pleasure from pushing myself to accept the amounts that he's giving me. I have a high pain tolerance, and that tolerance has grown, but when it comes to sharp pain that tolerance isn't as great. Therefore pushing myself to hold out that extra minute or two on the tacks, or taking a few extra swats with the marti gras floggers, that sinsation of pride that radiates off him because I was willing to push past my threshold to please him, that's where I get my satisfaction from.

 

[Homburg]

Now there's a touchy subject. Is it submission if you do it because you like to, not because of your need to serve? Selective submission I've heard it refured to. Although that's just as bad as saying "you're not a real sub if you don't submit to pain".

Touchy subject? Aroo? Why would my stating of my opinion on what I prefer be a touchy subject? I'm not making value judgements when I say I prefer to play with someone that I don't have to wear myself out and break toys on just to get a response. I'm just stating a preference and making clear that the heaviness of play is not the essential the motivator for me. It's the sense of submission, service, et al.

I don't say "not a real sub" (I despise that "real" phrase). I will say "maybe more a bottom than a sub". To me, there's no insult in making a statement like that, especially as I'm glad to explain my take on those words. I don't consider bottom to be a disparaging word. I rather like non-submissive bottoms quite a bit. They can be damned good fun.

 

[the captians wench]

Touchy subject? Aroo? Why would my stating of my opinion on what I prefer be a touchy subject? I'm not making value judgements when I say I prefer to play with someone that I don't have to wear myself out and break toys on just to get a response. I'm just stating a preference and making clear that the heaviness of play is not the essential the motivator for me. It's the sense of submission, service, et al.

I don't say "not a real sub" (I despise that "real" phrase). I will say "maybe more a bottom than a sub". To me, there's no insult in making a statement like that, especially as I'm glad to explain my take on those words. I don't consider bottom to be a disparaging word. I rather like non-submissive bottoms quite a bit. They can be damned good fun.

I didn't mean your post specifically dear. I ment the subject of is submission submission if you like to do it rather than doing it because your top enjoys it. That subject has been touched upon here and not gone over well, but it's a thought that plays in my mind from time to time.

 

[DVS]

It's not so much implanting the idea that the pain won't hurt (that kind of takes some of the fun out of it,) but making the pain something to be craved. Even with the pain threshold I have, I felt the pain. I just ended up liking what I was experiencing.

Oh, I can do a pretty good job of making someone cave pain, too. Maybe crave isn't so much the correct word. How about hunger?

 

[Homburg]

I didn't mean your post specifically dear. I ment the subject of is submission submission if you like to do it rather than doing it because your top enjoys it. That subject has been touched upon here and not gone over well, but it's a thought that plays in my mind from time to time.

Gotcha. To an extent, I don't honestly care why someone bottoms to me. as long as the emotional connection is there, and I get what I need, their reasons are not so big a deal (so long as it's consensual)

 

[madetotakeit]

Oh, I can do a pretty good job of making someone cave pain, too. Maybe crave isn't so much the correct word. How about hunger?

I have absolutely no doubt that you can. And yes, hunger is a good choice.

 

[madetotakeit]

This was on again today. One thing I missed in the first watching is that pain is the only sensation that is processed throughout the entire brain. I wonder if this has anything to do with how pain makes you feel more in the moment, intensifies what is going on?