Our Bodies, Our Brains - The Most Valueable Tools In Play/BDSM

[YourCaptor]

HHS

Mortally important suspension info, check it.

 

[velvet_crush]

first thread I've subscribed to. thanks.

 

[catalina_francisco]

Feel free to contribute any useful information you might have to this dinosaur thread.

Catalina

 

[eastern sun]

I have been concerned about the long-term effects of intense play on the heart and immune system, specifically in relation to the chronic activation of the adrenal gland.

In my experience, after an initial period of heightened immune response where I was healing faster and getting sick less often, I experienced a crash during which I caught everything going around and infections I could normally fight off became much more severe.

I found this in a discussion of the relationship between child abuse and chronic fatigue syndrome -

"Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It is vitally important for life and helps restore the physical system to a state of homeostasis. If you think of cortisol in terms of cortisone cream, used to relieve minor cuts and insect bites, you have some idea of what cortisol does. Without an adequate amount of cortisol the body's ability to reduce inflammation is lowered.

It is known that chronic stress and trauma, as occurs in abusive situations, ramps up the immune system, keeps it activated more than it should be until the system reaches a point where it is no longer able to produce enough cortisol to keep things running smoothly.

This degenerative process can continue into adulthood if stress and abuse continue. In addition, there is nothing to prevent the same process from starting once already into adulthood. In other words, trauma and stress, if they are chronic, has damaging physical effects at any point during life."

Traditional Chinese medicine also cautions against over production of adrenalin. My understanding is that they believe that we have a limited quantity of a very subtle non-renewable substance held in "the pearl" in our adrenal glands. Once that substance is used up, our bodies can no longer sustain life.

I have not found any studies specifically on the long-term effects of BDSM practice, but would be very interested in them if they exist.

 

[Netzach]

I have been concerned about the long-term effects of intense play on the heart and immune system, specifically in relation to the chronic activation of the adrenal gland.

In my experience, after an initial period of heightened immune response where I was healing faster and getting sick less often, I experienced a crash during which I caught everything going around and infections I could normally fight off became much more severe.

I found this in a discussion of the relationship between child abuse and chronic fatigue syndrome -

"Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It is vitally important for life and helps restore the physical system to a state of homeostasis. If you think of cortisol in terms of cortisone cream, used to relieve minor cuts and insect bites, you have some idea of what cortisol does. Without an adequate amount of cortisol the body's ability to reduce inflammation is lowered.

It is known that chronic stress and trauma, as occurs in abusive situations, ramps up the immune system, keeps it activated more than it should be until the system reaches a point where it is no longer able to produce enough cortisol to keep things running smoothly.

This degenerative process can continue into adulthood if stress and abuse continue. In addition, there is nothing to prevent the same process from starting once already into adulthood. In other words, trauma and stress, if they are chronic, has damaging physical effects at any point during life."

Traditional Chinese medicine also cautions against over production of adrenalin. My understanding is that they believe that we have a limited quantity of a very subtle non-renewable substance held in "the pearl" in our adrenal glands. Once that substance is used up, our bodies can no longer sustain life.

I have not found any studies specifically on the long-term effects of BDSM practice, but would be very interested in them if they exist.

I have given this a LOT of thought, as a Top with autoimmune. I mean, even more than on the bottom, the whole POINT of topspace is to kick your adrenal glands into that addicitive overdrive.

Is it any real shock that my CD flared for the first time when I was hitting topspace on a multiple times a week basis? I mean all out balls to the wall - sessioning a stranger is REALLY the ultimate in adrenal workout.

Yes, cortisol, adrenal burnout, adrenal out of whack - I think these things are worth thinking about. What's interesting is that after I was DxD'd I found that my desire for the really intense levels of play has shifted dramatically, not JUST consciously because I think it's better for my health, but maybe subconsciously? It's really interesting food for thought.

 

[Adakgirl]

CAUSES OF ADRENAL BURNOUT

Excessive stress, an important cause of burnout, can be from many sources. Chemical toxicity and nutritional depletion are among the physical causes. Mental, emotional or spiritual stress may be a major factor. Financial, family or other stress may also contribute to burnout.
Any excessive stress can deplete the adrenals, especially when weakened by poor nutrition. Working too much or emotional stress are two common causes. Excessive stimulation, especially for children, is another cause. Fast-paced, high-stress, fear-based lifestyles are a sure prescription for adrenal burnout.
Other stressors in cities are noise and electromagnetic pollution. Cell phones, microwave towers and appliances like televisions, microwave ovens and computers give off strong electrical fields.

Nutritional Deficiencies are a common cause. When under stress, the need for nutrients is much greater. Carbohydrates, when excessive in the diet, stress the adrenals. Diets low in protein may also create deficiencies. Inadequate or poor quality water affects oxygenation of the tissues.
Most diets are low in nutrients required by the adrenals. These include B-complex vitamins, vitamins A, C and E, manganese, zinc, chromium, selenium and other trace elements. The reasons for this begin with how food is grown. Most food is grown on depleted soils. Processing and refining further deplete nutrients.
Habits such as eating in the car or while on the run further diminish the value derived from food. Also, allergic reactions to foods such as wheat and dairy products can damage the intestines and reduce the absorption of nutrients.

Toxic metals and chemicals often play a large role in adrenal burnout. Everyone is exposed to thousands of chemicals in the air, the water and the food. Other sources are dental materials and skin contact with chemicals. Over-the-counter and prescribed medications add to the body’s toxic load. Most people do not realize that antibiotics and many other drugs accumulate to some extent in the liver and other organs.
Toxins may also be generated within the body due to impaired digestion. When food is not properly digested, it either ferments or rots in the intestines, producing many harmful substances that are absorbed into the body.
A healthy body has the ability to eliminate many toxins on a daily basis. However, as adrenal weakness develops, the body’s ability to eliminate all toxins decreases. This produces a vicious cycle in which weaker adrenals impairs the elimination of all poisons, which then further weakens the adrenals.

Chronic infections play a critical role in some cases of adrenal exhaustion. Chronic infections may originate in infected teeth or gums, though they can be located anywhere in the body. They contribute greatly to the toxic load of the body. Infections also cause inflammation and stress that must be countered using the adrenal hormones such as cortisol and cortisone.

Stimulants damage the adrenal glands. They whip the adrenals. Caffeine, sugar and alcohol are among the most common stimulants.
Less obvious but no less important stimulants may include anger, rage, arguing, hatred, loud music, fearful news and even movies full of suspense or violence.
Other activities that may act as stimulants and must not be overlooked include vigorous exercise, sexual preoccupations, recreational drug use or other thrills. These often provide a temporary “high”, which is caused in part by the secretion of high amounts of adrenal hormones. However, over time, this weakens the adrenals and can eventually lead to adrenal depletion and insufficiency.

Stimulant use, however, can also be a result of adrenal burnout. While stimulants can cause or contribute to adrenal weakness, some who use stimulants do so because they are in adrenal burnout already.
Stimulants are attractive to one in burnout to provide temporary energy. This is an important appeal of the drug culture, both legal and recreational. It is also the appeal of loud music, sexual addiction, and even anger.
These activities or attitudes can provide enough adrenal stimulation to allow a person to feel better temporarily. This is an important reason why giving up one’s addictions can be difficult. When one gives them up, one must face the fact that one is exhausted, depressed and often just feels awful due to adrenal burnout. It is safe to say that most people addicted to stimulants or other drugs including cigarettes, cocaine, marijuana, and others has some degree of adrenal insufficiency.

Unhealthy responses to stress are another cause of adrenal burnout. These include habits of worrying, or becoming angry or afraid. Don’t worry, be happy is a great prescription for adrenal burnout. This applies particularly to high strung, nervous individuals and those with very active minds, as they are especially prone to adrenal burnout.

Congenital Weak adrenals. Many children today are born with weak adrenals due to their parents’ nutritional deficiencies. This is not a genetic problem. Instead, it is due to the nutritional imbalances of the mother, in particular. These are passed through the placenta to the unborn child.

 

[Adakgirl]

Common symptoms include fatigue, some weakness and often depression. Others may be a craving for sweets, low blood pressure and low blood sugar. Low energy impairs every system of the body. Thus, secondary symptoms can range from impaired digestion, aches and pains to chronic or recurring infections.

Emotional and mental symptoms. Often, emotional and psychological symptoms are present or even predominant. Depression is very common. Apathy, despair and even suicidal tendencies are also quite common. Emotional instability, mood swings, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and irritability are also common symptoms associated with adrenal burnout syndrome. The world can look evil, one loses faith in people, and a hopeless attitude is not uncommon.
Compulsiveness and obsessive-compulsive tendencies may be associated with adrenal burnout. One may become addicted or very attracted to excessive exercise, sex, loud music or other forms of excitement. The unconscious goal is always the same, to stimulate the adrenals into activity.

Many areas of life affected. Adrenal burnout affects every area of life. One may lose interest in friends, family and work. Relationships often suffer when one person in the relationship goes into adrenal exhaustion.
Unfortunately, many with adrenal burnout function on anger and resentment. These act as adrenal stimulants, providing a negative energy with which to function. Most of the world, in fact, functions on the negative energy of anger.

Copied and pasted from this source
http://www.drlwilson.com/Articles/adrenal_burnout.htm

 

[Adakgirl]

During the appointment for my last mamogram..I mentioned to the examiner that the breast exam that I had just had done by an MD seemed ridiculously inadequate for a procedure that was so important to women. He palpitated each of my breasts for a once- around- the- nipple microsecond, and that was apparently his idea of what a breast examination entailed.

The exams I had been doing on myself were obviously much more correctly performed and more detailed than this doctor ..who held a medical degree.. knew how to do. I told him what I thought and told him that my 4 year old grand nephew could do better....for cripes sakes!
anyways.....

She said that didn't surprise her and that she had heard many other woman say the same thing about their Dr. and she showed me a vid before my mammogram. I was surprised to find that the self-examination methods that we have been doing for years and years...have completely changed. I will look see if I can find that new info to add here

 

[Adakgirl]

here it is...perhaps I am way out of touch and you all know that this is the proper way to examine your breasts...I was taught the standing up..with arm raised behind head, circle method. This was news to me ! lol you can skip thru the 1st 1/2 if you wanna.



http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/bse_video.asp

 

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[catalina_francisco]

Bump