ALTERED STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS II: THE CORNERSTONES
Rythm and Predictability
An altered state of consciousness doesn’t always require substances—there are many non-chemical ways to shift our mental state. Some involve stillness and inward focus, like meditation or deep breathing. Others rely on rhythm, repetition, and movement. These include activities such as running, cycling, dancing, sex—and yes, impact play.
Repetition and ritual create a sense of structure and predictability. Paradoxically, this structure allows the mind to “let go” more easily, suspending its usual need for control and analysis. The rhythmic impact of flogging or spanking can shift attention away from verbal thought and into a more embodied, sensory-focused state. Over time, this can deepen into a trance-like experience.
Hyperfocus and Meaning
One of the hallmarks of an altered state of consciousness is hyperfocus. Since pain is a powerful evolutionary signal, it naturally demands attention. So our task as Top is to get the person shift their attention off of the pain to enter the altered state of consciousness with as much discomfort as possible. This is especially for those early in their pain-pleasure learning - with time the body actually learns to transform pain to pleasure.
There are many attention hooks that can be used to shift attention off of the pain. Most people incorporate impact play into power exchange (Dom-sub dynamics) which serves another important component of altered state of consciousness: meaning. Pain is always more bearable when it has a meaning - it can serve the trusted Dominant, or be an offering to a personal higher purpose. In equal-power sessions breathwork can also serve a shift in focus — it also has physiological benefits such as reducing anxiety and altering blood gas composition (more about this later). I also like to use music to distract from discomfort: certain frequencies, rhythms, and harmonics can modulate brainwave activity and mood, adding to the overall experience. I always try to select melodies that people are likely to know - familiarity - after all - serves the purposes to structure and predictability… Additional focal elements may include tactile contrasts (like soft or textured objects that provide nerve stimulation without discomfort), mutual eye contact i.e. with a third person in the session, but even cognitive tasks can be used as a hook. If I want to be particulary mean, I ask my person to count backward by threes – this mental effort can short-circuit normal conscious processing—pushing them into a more trance-like state before they’re even aware it’s happening…
The shifting of perception also requires a shift in communication. More about this in Part 3. Or, you can jump forward and read about how genetics influence susceptibility to altered states of consciousness (Part 4), or what is so f.cking good about this state (Part 5).