Why do we seek pain for pleasure

I heard this today on the local NPR station I listen to and this was enlightening none the less.

https://the1a.org/segments/from-chili-eating-contests-to-ultramarathons-why-do-we-seek-pain-for-pleasure-rebroadcast/

It gets Mee off too. Not sure why

Maybe for some it's a goal, a hurdle to jump over, to achieve….just how much can one handle, how much can one take?? A lot of athletes are like that - they push it to limit, and then a little (or a lot) beyond. I don't think it's that uncommon amongst over-achievers.

Very well said @gwhap ;-)

The fact is we do know for sure that both are present : pain and pleasure.

If you want to understand more, you just need to practice more ;-)

@arianai one possible explanation could be the seeker of pain, could be getting satisfaction from becoming dominant over the pain. Thus getting or experiencing pleasure knowing he or she has not had there will broken. Just an observation.

Yikyak's description of “becoming dominant over the pain” echoes a sentiment of mine. In my own case, I commented elsewhere that my MedFet takes a previous experience which was INVOLUNTARY and makes it VOLUNTARY within the context of online roleplay. Well put, Yikyak, and welcome to Zity, BTW!

I'd say that pain for pleasure is just another form of physical stimulation of the body, but taken to (slightly) greater lengths than the average person finds agreeable. It is about extending boundaries and finding both pleasure and strength in testing those boundaries.

+1 : @Yikyak I do agree with that : it seems to me the important point is the agency feeling. Both with pain, trust and feeling safe-enough…

« I choose it » VS « It happened to me »

Here's an interesting (at least to me) article on the subject. My take is that pain causes the brain to release the same chemicals into the body as pleasurable experiences.

I really have no idea how my love-hate relationship with spanking began. Whenever one of my brothers or sisters got spanked, I always had the urge to get spanked or spank myself. Just happy that I found a husband who spanks me soundly, by hand or with his punishment Laser Stinger paddle!

Thing is, when pain is felt as something pleasurable, is it still pain?

Isn't that what masochists want?? Definition of masochist

• 1: a person who derives sexual gratification from being subjected to physical pain or humiliation : an individual given to masochism
• But Ksenia is a masochist who cannot experience sexual pleasure without first experiencing extreme pain.— Christopher Rice

@gabistillgetsit Pain and pleasure are powerful motivators of behaviour and have historically been considered opposites. Emerging evidence from the pain and reward research fields points to extensive similarities in the anatomical substrates of painful and pleasant sensations. Recent molecular-imaging and animal studies have demonstrated the important role of the opioid and dopamine systems in modulating both pain and pleasure. Understanding the mutually inhibitory effects that pain and reward processing have on each other, and the neural mechanisms that underpin such modulation, is important for alleviating unnecessary suffering and improving well-being.

@gabistillgetsit Conclusions: Pain and pleasure are two sides of the same coin.

For me it's Stress Relief. I make sure my bottom is red and hurting enough in order to feel the pain that I need to feel. From what I have read and heard it's the release of endorphins that trigger the feeling of Pleasure. Whatever it is it takes my stress away which is what I need.

Thing is, when pain is felt as something pleasurable, is it still pain?

It is a pleasurable pain that you want more of…for me anyway.

I agree with @MissStress, when a small amount of pain is pleasurable, I do want more!!

Is it possible, for instance, that when a male infant is circumcised that the pain and pleasure nerve receptors in the penis get confused because the body is still developing? This might explain why some men get turned on by pain/circumcision.

Surfing through old films on You Tube it suddenly reminded me that some of those old B movie mad doctor films from the 40s/50s may have had something to do with it!? Strapped down naked to the doctors operating table and about to be experimented on by the doctor and, perhaps, his beautiful assistant/nurse! Was it really in the best interests of medical science or just for his own gratification/glory? Would it be painful for me? Was I going to emerge better or much worse? What would recovery be like? Patients always fall in love with their nurses, nurses always fall in love with the doctors and the doctors just love themselves?!

Something I noticed some years ago. I was getting a tattoo on my back. Not the first time so I knew what it felt like. To me a burning sensation. Every once in awhile the tattoo artist would spray antiseptic to his work and wipe it off. The feeling was incredible relief. I realized that without the pain of the needle a spray of antiseptic would not feel like such a relief. The pain made the relief so much more intense. The thin line between pain and pleasure. My dad used to joke about a guy hitting himself in the head with a hammer. Why you doing that? It feels good when I stop.

Why do we seek pain for pleasure?

I don't seek pain. But certain pain does enhance my sexual experience. Like salt or seasoning on food. It can push me over the edge.

Can anyone send a link where did you find an answer?

Can anyone send a link where did you find an answer?

There's lots on the internet. Here's a few sample links.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pain_and_pleasure

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325419#Physical-pain-as-a-source-of-pleasure

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/all-about-sex/202111/why-do-submissives-in-bdsm-experience-pain-pleasure

https://drloribethbisbey.com/when-pain-turns-you-on/

Yes I do enjoy it.

If I’m already aroused pain enhances the feeling of arousal up to a point but continued pain can cancel the arousal out.

That being said, sometimes I want to experience pain for its own sake. Usually that’s when I’m feeling numb and pain is the only tool that cuts through the numbness. When I reach that point, the point it breaks through, that engages pleasure sensations. Almost a feeling of euphoria that leads directly to arousal.

@Nurse_Phillips I agree with what you said.

If I’m already aroused pain enhances the feeling of arousal up to a point but continued pain can cancel the arousal out.

But for me too much pain too fast cancels and ends the pleasure for me. Very much like a cold shower.

@Nurse_Phillips I agree with what you said.But for me too much pain too fast cancels and ends the pleasure for me. Very much like a cold shower.

Yes! That’s more what I was trying to say. If I’m aroused and get a mix of pain/pleasure type stimulation it’s good but it it switches to 100% pain or goes into heavy pain with no build up it takes me out.

The researchers have expanded the meaning of masochism to include anything physically demanding like running a marathon, learning ballet or olympics training. Perhaps the broadened definition makes for a more sexy academic thesis or book title.

It's confusing because I think the pleasure from sexual masochism and "non-sexual masochism" come from different sources.

My pleasure from desiring pain in a sexual context is of a very different nature than endorphin-fueled pleasure after strenous exercise. One causes arousal while the other causes relief and happiness. Both types of pleasure could certainly happen at the same time.

I think sexual masochistic drives are not governed by endorphins, but by an instinct to give up control of one's body to another, an instinct which is beneficial from an evolutionary view because it increases the likelihood of successful sexual exchange of genetic material between individuals. In plain speak, I want to be fucked deeply and roughly, taking the pain until he is compelled to orgasm and fill me with his cum, which I know may cause me to carry his babies, but consequences be damned in the heat of the moment.

My first wife constantly said pain before sex is like sauce is to a fine meal. I never understood, until one day she told me to get ten or twelve saplings from the walnut trees. I thought she was going to use them as part of a floral display.

Later that afternoon she initiated sex and requested I whip her ass with the saplings before fuck her. I went along with it and smacked her several times.

She commented that had no idea of what I was doing, and said she would show me. She had me bare my ass and lay on the bed. She had all twelve saplings in her hand and started thrashing me. I squirmed and screamed. She said was a big baby and she needed to restrain me. She tied my hands and feet to the bed with silk scarves. Then she stated again, and it hurt a lot. I was pleading for her to stop, but she increased the speed and the intensity of the strikes. I screamed and begged her to stop again, but she just kept going, then something happened. It stopped hurting and actually felt good. I wanted more and started begging her for more.

I learned about sub-space day.

Subspace is a very special place the submissive or masochist enters when he/she reaches a natural chemical high and/or change in mental and/or emotional balance of the brain chemistry, and state of mind. Best achieved when total trust is in place with his/her Dominant, and one totally immerses themselves in an intense BDSM scene. Note: The sub may not be capable of making rational decisions about his/her safety and well-being at this point, thus it is the responsibility of the Dom to provide for the welfare of his/her sub, this is known as, "aftercare".

When she was done whipping me she started sucking my cock, which was hard. Then she sat on my cock and furiously fucked me. She rode me hard and I orgasmed like never before. She didn't stop there, she continued, even though it began to hurt, didn't want her to stop. This the most memorable sexual experience ever.

For me it’s the type of pain, for example I love enemas but hate cramps but I really enjoy the sting , burn and sound of a wooden paddle on my bare ass and have learned to endure and enjoy the pain. My wife has always had a hard time understanding why I like to be paddled and I have to say I’m not really sure why I like it either and fortunately she will most of the time paddle me hard until my but starts getting too red.