CARAS Webinar: Get Off On Pain: A Philosophical and Neurophysiological Discourse of Pain in Kink Practices; Sunday, January 21, 2024

Get Off On Pain: A Philosophical and Neurophysiological Discourse of Pain in Kink Practices


Presenter: Shuyu Lin

Sunday, January 21, 2024, 10am-noon (US Pacific)/11am-1:00pm (US Mountain)/noon-2:00pm (US Central)/1-3:00 pm (US Eastern)/6-8:00pm (London)/7-9:00pm (Central European - Prague, Berlin, Stockholm); 2 hours

To register for the webinar, please visit: https://forms.gle/eWbk1Q7FTRQWsVDM9

Attendees may earn 2 Continuing Education (CE) credits

Cost: Attendance is free for all CARAS subscribers.

Attendance with CE credit is free for CARAS Professional and Student subscribers, and $40 for others.

Attendance without CE credit for non-subscribers is $25

Pre-registration is required. Registration will close at 3pm (Pacific)/6pm (Eastern) on Saturday, January 20, 2024. Please register early!


Abstract

This presentation critically examines the science behind pain and pleasure as experienced in consensual sadomasochism (SM) practices, exploring the question of how kink practitioners may transform sensations of pain into pleasure.

I will draw from current neurobiological science to understand the physiology of having pleasurable sensations distinct from painful experiences through examining the role of neurotransmitters like endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin in modulating pain perception and transforming it from an ordinarily aversive experience into a pleasurable one under specific conditions. Additionally, I will compare and contrast the experience of euphoria in other activities, like distance running.

Consistent with these insights from neurobiological science, drawing on Timothy Schroeder's desire theory I propose a model in which participants in SM practices are motivated by a multi-faceted desire for pain. I argue that Schroeder’s framework of desire is applicable for the pursuit of pain, which is then recognized as an emotional and physical desire. The action of pursuit activates biological responses that convert the experience of pain into one of pleasure, rewarding the participants physically, emotionally, and relationally.

Understanding the unique dimensions of pain in SM practices may have broad applicability to and beyond the scientific community. For kink participants, it may expand their understanding of human psychological and the physiological basis for their experiences in kink. It can also help healthcare professionals understand their kinky clients and better work on clinical pain management.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the four primary neurotransmitters involved in mediating the pleasure response to pain and explain their individual roles.

  2. Describe three key elements of Timothy Schroeder's theory of desire.

  3. Describe how desire could mediate the experience of pain and pleasure in consensual SM practices.

Presentation Content Level: Introductory - Intermediate. This webinar will provide an introduction to the topic but also provide an opportunity for discussion at a more advanced level that presupposes basic knowledge of alternative sexualities communities.

About the Presenter

Shuyu Lin received her BA in cognitive neuroscience from Washington University, and is currently enrolled in a graduate program in Human Genetics. She is interested in understanding how pain influences our perception of body, relationship and society. Her current research project is about the biopsychosocial model of pain in kink context.

Disclosures: There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this presentation.

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Image credit: P. Daley, © 1985, and DungeonMaster-Sandmutopia Supply Company [Flyer]. Fair Use for an educational purpose.


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