The Human Mind on BDSM

For this assignment, I read four articles about BDSM and the psychology behind it. All four of them focused on the effects of what it is like to be in a BDSM relationship. Psychologytoday.com starts with the question by asking “Are they sick?” and going into an explanation of how Freud’s psychology would view it as a resounding yes. However, modern psychology has determined that there are many psychological benefits of BDSM.

Medicaldaily.com includes 6 of these benefits:

1. Improves Communicaton
2. Increases Intimacy
3. Encourages Fidelity
4. Better Mental Health
5. Reduces Psychological Stress
6. Reduces Anxiety

It’s important to know that the benefits were shown by the people who practiced sane, safe, responsible, and consensual BDSM. Anything else naturally would be detrimental and should be avoided at all costs. Now for people who have experienced positive BDSM relationships, this doesn’t come as much of a surprise because these benefits are readily noticeable.

The article by Vice.com is focused on the emotions of a scene. That heightened sense of euphoria when a scene involves bondage, impact play, teasing, denial and so on can be viewed almost as having similar to effects of a drug. These are studies done by closely examining the neurochemicals of people who have had a scene together.

Complex.com views the BDSM relationship as two people or a community of people forming a ‘safe space’ where they are free to express themselves in a sexual manner. This is a safe space where participants can think of things that affect them on a daily basis such as power exchange, dealing with problems, self-exploration, and growth by pushing boundaries.

There are some things that a psychiatrist or a psychologist can’t help with because it doesn’t go far enough, but a good Dominant or a well trained submissive can!

I felt fairly confident going into this task that the results I would find matched up with how I personally feel about participating in BDSM. Afterward, I feel even more confident that I’m going to try my best to stay in a BDSM relationship my entire life. It’s proven to be healthy for both the mind and body creating a better relationship for both parties.

I wanted to dive deeper into the history of BDSM where all the types of play come from. How people express things that they have found horrific such as someone being beaten or gagged then express them in a safe consensual way. So focusing on that aspect it relieves trauma that people have experienced throughout their lives.

I definitely enjoyed this task and quite naturally must say Thank You, Mistress Michelle, Madam Ondine and Lady A for creating and assigning this task at Diva’s Dungeon!