#142 The Neuroscience of BDSM: Pain, Pleasure & the Kinky Brain with Hermes Solenzol Part 2

Why does the human brain sometimes transform pain into sexual pleasure? And what can BDSM teach us about neuroscience, desire and consciousness?

In this episode I'm joined by Hermes Solenzol, a pain neuroscientist, writer and lifelong kinkster, to explore the fascinating relationship between BDSM, pain, pleasure, sadism and the kinky brain.

We explore:

• The neuroscience of BDSM and why pain can become erotic pleasure.
• How the brain processes pain, anticipation, arousal and desire.
• BDSM pain thresholds and how context can change pain perception.
• Subspace, altered states of consciousness and the neuroscience of kink.
• The psychology of consensual sadism and compassionate dominance.
• Becoming a BDSM switch and exploring both sides of power exchange.
• BDSM, spirituality, Buddhism and the subjective experience of pain.
• Free will, monogamy, polyamory and the psychology of human relationships.
• Sexuality and ageing: remaining erotic at 69 and beyond.
• Erotic fantasy, writing and discovering ourselves through imagination.

Further reading: Beyond Pain: A Study on the Variance of Pain Thresholds Within BDSM Interactions in Dominants and Submissives.

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Thanks for listening!

Stay perverted,

Emma

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