Quote Originally Posted by YNHumiliator
Snip...
But what about the trigger that gets someone into subspace.
Is it a moment of intense pain, a moment of intense pleasure - or possibly a combination of the two. Is it none of these but instead a gradually building mental state that "breaks" at some point? By that I mean - a combined response to everything around you and the specific things you're experiencing."Snip...
YN
After the great job others have done explaining the biological mechanisms involved I'll pull out an example from my subby days.

In what I consider a great scene the "trigger" (good word for it) is pain. It is pain that causes the body to produce the endorphins that produce the perception of pleasure. In addition it also activates the production of adrenalin. This stems from the biological aspects based in our genetic makeup.

As for how it feels on what you "see" and "hear" for me no two experiences are alike. If asked at the end of a scene I would be hard pressed to give you specific details, much like waking after a dream.

Let me try to give some generalizations form my experiences. At the beginning I am very conses of the environment and for me relaxation, both mental and physical, is a tough process. So at this point I am processing all input, sensory, visual and audio against background. Anxiety over what is to come and sometimes fear of the unknown are the predominate states and thoughts. At this point mundane thoughts are probably randomly popping up to distract.

As the scene progresses the adrenalin is generally the first to kick in (at least with me) and with it is the desire to flee. This is where doubts about my choice to bottom arise, this is where thoughts and images of past nonconcentual pain will begin to appear. This will be evidenced by heavy muscle contractions and heavy labored breathing.

Once the endorphins arrive things take a very different track. Pleasure perception begins and thoughts, images and sounds of past pleasurable events begin to appear. Also at this point muscles will begin to relax and breathing, while still heavy, will be relaxed as well. As the scene progresses the random thoughts will fade and eventually end. At this point I am acutely aware of the sensations being presented. This, I think would be you "break. Welcome to sub space. Cognitive reasoning is off. This is where if the Top likes to talk with the bottom during the scene answers are not forthcoming. During this part of the scene I generally do not visualize anything and audio is limited to what is in the room, if it is being processed at all. Generally this is the time the sexual aspects of pleasure begin to kick in. This is where the Top has pretty much full control of the roller coaster of sensations. The skillful application of pain and sensation will allow them to continue working endorphins against adrenalin for quite a while. All the while I am simply reacting physically to the offered sensation. The basic concept is MORE, YEA MORE. This is the time limits can be expanded and new territory charted.

If the stars are aligned just right and the Top has connected in some unusual way, occasionally, there will be yet another level for me. This is where I begin to not process physical input but begin to visualize the scene from the point of an observer in the room. While I still feel some of what is being presented, I will see the Top and myself, hear the breathing etc.. These out of body experiences are rare but cherished. Here is where I begin also to crave more pain. Physical reality has ceased to exist. Colors are vivid here. The Top will note a total relaxation of muscles, decrease in breathing and lack of response to their work. Some people will see this as fainting but for me its just lost in subspace. If the Top is really good they will recognize this and carry on.

Now we come to the end. Its time to readjust to the world and find my way home. The adrenalin and endorphins, while still in the system, are not being produced in mass quantities and the body is totally spent from the adrenalin. Sugar levels are low and the muscles worn out. The brain, flooded with endorphins, is mush, pretty much incapable of anything. This is the time for sharing with the Top the raw energy they have built up.

The basic tenant here is that for this type of scene, which bottoms crave and Tops love, is the interplay of endorphins and adrenalin and the Tops ability to read the signs of breathing, muscle tension and action, skin color and reactions.

Hope this makes even a bit of sense.

Disclaimer: This is my perception and mine alone. Everyone is different and has different reactions and experiences. I feel cretin your mileage will very.

DK