Study: Spank Together, Stay Together

Research Shows S&M Activities, Though Stressful At First, May Bring Couples Closer

(CBS)  Despite a spike in stress levels, couples who engage in sadomasochistic activities (S&M), may end up strengthening their relationship, according to a new study published in the magazine New Scientist this week.

Two separate studies, one from Northern Illinois University and one from the University of Pisa in Italy, researched hormone levels at S&M parties.

In the NIU study, those receiving stimulation got a boost in their levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The Pisa study showed a rise in testosterone among women who took part in S&M activities, which include spanking, bondage and flogging.

When the activities go well and are enjoyable, couples told researchers they felt closer to each other. However, the opposite was true of negative experiences with S&M.

"When sexual intercourse is consensual it is not stressful - even if it is extreme sex," Donatella Marazziti of the University of Pisa said.

[cheetah-man7]

And folks condemn gay marriage? Yeah, right...... keep trying!

[barbaram99]

This is sick. I would not put up with it.

[Oliver_Closehoff]

I believe this story to be true. It even works to some degree with animals. It has brought me and my monkey closer together. Everytime I spank it we both get an endorphin rush.

[StarThrower50]

Spanking for adults and spanking for children are NOT the same thing! Not even close! The primary difference is CONSENSUAL. In S&M "play", activities are AGREED UPON by the parties involved. Although I will admit that the roots of my own interest in BDSM date back to my childhood experiences with corporal punishment, it is NOT the same thing now that it was then.

One thing that wasn't mentioned in this article that participants in S&M know, is that painful events such as spanking (etc.) cause the release of endorphins, those potent brain hormones that ease pain when we are injured. Delivered slowly, and often interspersed with lavish amounts of sensual activities and displays of caring, the recipient's (and often the deliverer's as well) brain is flooded with them, resulting in a sustained "high" better and more beneficial than alcohol and drugs can provide.

You do have to go into the activities in the right mind-set though, and CONSENT and TRUST are paramount. S&M partners agree ahead of time on what the limits of their play will be and (if they're wise) establish a "safe word" that means the limits have been reached and all play MUST stop. If you can't trust that a partner will honor these limits, you shouldn't be participating with the person.

This is truly one of those things that should be approached with "if you haven't tried it, don't knock it". It's definitely not for everyone, but can be a surprising path to couples bonding and stress relief. If you have the opportunity, and you can push back the stereotypical image of abuse (it isn't) I recommend you take it slowly and TRY IT. You might just like it. :-)

[ubrew12]

Finally... an acceptable explanation for rampant American Puritanism.

American Dudes! Getting yourself a*s-whipped isn't the only way to sexual satisfaction!!

[debinok1]

Ok, so spanking reduces stress. Teens are committing suicide because they have too much stress. Maybe they should have been spanked more as children and they wouldn't be so stressed and wouldn't be committing suicide. Problem solved.

[brainteaser2]

Once again profound "research" carried out because of the need to do research nothing else. If spanking is so wonderful then it can and should be used on our children. It would create such bonding and closeness.

[hypnotoad72]

Uh, okay...

Does this one get the "Strangest article of the year" award?

And can we spank the author of that article?

[cs4466]

What did Mary say when Jesus spanked her?

Please sir, may I have another.
Posted by notmudroseiii

Naw... she rode his ass all the way to Bethlehem.
Posted by iam4honesty at 2:43 PM : Mar 31, 2009

LOL!

Dang. Got Pepsi up my nose.

[iam4honesty]

What did Mary say when Jesus spanked her?

Please sir, may I have another.
Posted by notmudroseiii

Naw... she rode his ass all the way to Bethlehem.

[tangouniforn]

Stop picking on Harry. She recently had surgery to repair her tongue. It took 17 stitches.

[cs4466]

This subject is unfit for Christian reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Harry_Snapperorgans at 7:27 AM : Mar 31, 2009

That's right. I think you should "turn the other cheek".

*spank*

[I_am_me1953]

I could be wrong, but I think Harry_Snapperorgans was being facetious. One look at that name tells me they have too much of a sense of humor to be serious.

Posted by roghil at 11:11 AM : Mar 31, 2009
__________________

Haven't read harry's post, BUT, ........ You need to realize Harry is a TROLL and has gone by many different names on this site ........ GOP_4ever, GOP_will_win, GOP_Hockeymom, Ms._Premisa ........ just to name a few. Claims to be a Chriustian, but really turns off many possible converts.

Oh, and BTW, Harry is a she, not a he.

[VTchemist]

WIll the rightous right be willing to turn the other cheek?

[jxknowles]

If couples are comfortable enough to engage in this behavior, they probably already have a strong, loving, consensual, respectful and stress-free relationship. I'm glad there is something keeping couples together.

[ZettaPixel]

I do believe I'll celebrate this news by spanking my sub tonight!

[winchester70]

Dr. Hook said it best. "This feels so good, it must be wrong".

[omded]

The concept of turning pain into pleasure is a good example of how much control we have over our own happiness in life. It's not so much what happens to us as how we respond to it. S-and-M'ers have discovered how to take emotionally painful experiences and turn them into pleasurable ones. In other words, they've learned how to find good in somehting that most of us just respond to with hate and loathing. Believe it or not, S-and-M'ers are usually very smart people with above average intelligence. S-and-M'ers also tend to be much more comfortable with, and accepting of themselves, and aren't as afraid to express themselves as they really are to others. In other words, they don't share that same level of shame, guilt, or self-embarassment that most people keep bottled up inside all of their lives. They've learned that there's nothing to be ashamed about. We can all learn a lot form the S-and-M'ers among us. I encourage all of you not to jump to judgment here.

[LilliannaElizabeth051807]

Yeah, Harry...I guess if you're a Christian you can't do anything even slightly enjoyable when it comes to sex. Flogging, Spanking and bondage IS fun.... if done in the proper atmosphere with someone you trust. As for an S&M relationship, there HAS to be MUCH more trust than in a "vanilla" relationship. The trust, at least for me, is what helps make an S&M relationship more appealing. I would be interested in learning how many people in "vanilla" relationships cheat on their significant other as opposed to those in S&M relationships.
Posted by walkshe at 8:22 AM : Mar 31, 2009



I completely agree with you. Many " normal" couple express their anger or sexual desires in much more unhealthy ways than a little rough sex. How about those who cheat on or beat thier spouses. or children? I feel that me and my husband have a very healthy and trusting relationship and I trust him to never truly hurt me, emotional or physical.

[johntate777]

Two-Cats said "Pain is not fun in any way and is a real sexual turnoff for me. I doubt the validity of this study!"

But notice the study was done at S&M parties, not "average" people. So, I think all it is proving is that stress levels drop among people who like such activities. Not for people that disapprove, etc. Heck, if you could get a group of serial killers together and let them do their thing, then their stress levels would likely drop, too. What one percieves as extreme is not for others.