A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

This entry is part of the BDSM Dictionary hosted by Informed Consent.

This is the version from 8 Oct 06, 4:45 PM. The full history of this entry will show any more recent versions.

ICcode for "Subspace"

[b]Subspace[/b] (also [b]sub space[/b]), in the context of a [about=BDSM]BDSM[/about] [about=scene]scene[/about], is the psychological state of the [about=submissive]submissive[/about] partner.

Subspace is a metaphor for the state the submissive's mind and body are in during a deeply involving play scene.  Many types of BDSM play invoke strong physical responses such as extended adrenalin surges that can cause exhaustion.  The mental aspect of BDSM also causes many submissives to separate themselves mentally from their environment as they process the experience. Deep subspace is often characterized as a state of deep recession and incoherence. 
Many submissives require aftercare.  


[heading]Physiological Processes

During the scene, the intense experiences of both pain and pleasure trigger a [about=wikipedia:sympathetic_nervous_system]sympathetic nervous system[/about] response, which causes a release of [about=wikipedia:epinephrine]epinephrine[/about] from the suprarenal glands, as well as a dump of [about=endorphins]endorphins[/about] and [about=wikipedia:enkephalins]enkephalins[/about]. These natural chemicals, part of the [about=wikipedia:fight_or_flight_response]fight or flight response[/about], produce the same effect as a morphine-like drug, increasing the pain tolerance of the submissive as the scene becomes more intense. Producing a sort of trance-like state due to the increase of hormones and chemicals, the submissive starts to feel out-of-body, detached from reality, and as the high comes down, and the [about=wikipedia:parasympathetic_nervous_system]parasympathetic nervous system[/about] kicks in, a deep exhaustion, as well as incoherence. Many submissives once reaching a height of subspace will lose all sensation of pain, as any stimuli causes the period to prolong.


[heading]See also


[item] [about=ego reduction]ego reduction[/about]

[item] [about=Mind fuck]Mind fuck[/about]


{{wikipedia|Subspace}}




(This entry in the BDSM Dictionary incorporates text from the [url=http://www.londonfetishscene.com/wipi/index.php/Subspace]Subspace[/url] article in Wipipedia.)

This entry is published under the terms of the GFDL. People with profiles on Informed Consent can improve this entry: see the BDSM Dictionary help page for details.