Subspace

*softly, tentatively* I am going to venture into a realm I don't really know anything about, nor do I have extensive experience in. I've dabbled, but extensive, not so much. My specialty is spanking. . . . . not so much the DEEPER emotional realms surrounding it. So, I'm likely to get some stuff wrong, but hang with me. . . . .this blog is about MY perceptions and reality. :-) Feel free to be a part of it! *soft grin*

I've been researching subspace for quite some time. . . . the idea is one that intrigues me. I am EXTREMELY familiar with dissociation and the headspace that comes with it, but this. . . . this is different. (Dissociation is a disconnect between one's body and one's emotions. It's a disconnect from sensation as one goes into an "observation" mode. It's VERY common in child-hood abuse survivors, and one may or may not remember when or why it happens.)Subspace inherently seems to involve an extreme level of trust, and a deep connection. The headspace is an extremely safe one, as opposed to one brought about by need for survival.

I know the chemical basis for subspace. . . . I know the scientific facts, and I HAVE entered subspace. It takes a combination of pain, panic, and often, something specific to each person. Sometimes, and with a great amount of work, it can be entered WITHOUT pain. . . . it can become a "conditioned" response to a specific cues. . . . which sounds much colder than the process actually is. It's a process of warmth, of caring, of trust building, and relatively in-depth work on "connection" between a Top and bottom. (steel-door.com/access_subspace.htm has an article describing part of this process.)More often than not, though, especially for beginnings, pain is a part of it. What basically happens is that the "panic" that comes as pain builds and one can't get away from it triggers the "fight or flight" reflex, which begins a chemical dump into the blood stream. This allows the bottom to fight harder, to deal with more pain, to exert herself. . . . all of which brings about a renewed cycle of more pain. Chemical dump number two. . . . the pain inhibitors, and a number of hormones. This is where the "trancy" state comes in, and it only comes about if one's brain is WILLING to allow one to get to that point. . . . . it's as if the brain has a subconscious "shut off" point that says, "Nope! Sorry! This ain't safe. . . notta gonna do it!" This is the point that many bottoms describe as "floating . . . . . flying. . . . . seeing spinning wheels of light". What is ACTUALLY going on is that her brain has disconnected from her body, and she's entered a surreal reality. . . . one in which she can "see", but not exactly "feel", sensation. It's this giddy, gentle, blissful high. . . .one which is rarely found elsewhere. (Many people who self-injure also report this same effect. . . . once again, it's a combination of chemical dump, but the difference in self-injury is that there is no emotional element. . . . and that is part of what makes subspace so powerful.. . . .. the connection to another person.)

So what is the ACTUAL process? There's a simple answer to this: NO ONE KNOWS. *smirk* Great answer, isn't it???? Seriously, though, it varies for each and every person. Pain, no pain. . . . mild pain, intense pain. . . . . little control, full control. . . . simply put, it depends. . . . which is where the matter of trust comes in. A bottom has to TRUST that her Top will be there through the process. . . . will take care of her. . . . . will pull her out. . . . . will, in essence, be her "hold" on reality. In entering subspace, a bottom is allowing her grasp on reality to go . . . . and the only way she will do so is to KNOW and to TRUST that there's a rope tied around her ankle, and that her top will pull her back, slowly, safely, and will watch out for her. Every article said, basically, that a top should NEVER leave his bottom in subspace. . . . that she would come back on her own, and that she would be scared, and that it was a SERIOUS breach of trust. All the articles noted that the Top has the sole responsibility to pull their bottom out of subspace, and that subspace can be dangerous to those new, because an inexperienced top can do damage. What they neglected to mention, however, was HOW a top became experienced in pulling one out of subspace, and exactly WHAT that entailed.

Basically, long story short, caring physical contact is a bottom's link to reality. She WILL naturally pull out of subspace on her own. . . . . but, since she trusted someone enough to allow him to put her there. . . . . she'd kinda like him to be around. Once the pain stops, cuddling is the basic remedy to pull one out. It takes a bit of time, it takes a sense of safety, and it takes control on the part of the top. It varies for each bottom, but most are NOT looking for intimacy after being put in subspace. Most want to process the event. It's a definitely growing experience, and one, that when used correctly, can build a lot of trust. It requires trust to BEGIN, but the more times it's successful. . . . . the more trust can grow.

Tomorrow, I'll tell you what it takes to put me there. I was planning on doing so today, but this kinda sorta turned into a longish type post. *grins* For a bit more information on subspace, check out this article. . . . . it describes the "levels" of subspace. Steel Door Sub Space