Through Pain, More Gain? A Survey into the Psychosocial Benefits of Sadomasochism

We live in a paradoxical world where pain management funds an industry of at least $36.1 billion (Elder, 2017) side by side with the culture of BDSM which thrives and celebrates, among other taboo activities, the use of pain within sexual contexts. Why would people want to use painful activities as a part of their intimate relationships? Or how can they mix the two with positive outcomes? This paradox was the primary inspiration for Ms. Silva’s Masters degree research and dissertation on the therapeutic benefits of sado-masochism (S&M).
Researching the psychological and biological roots of BDSM, sheds light into the paradox of perversions and promotes a more accepting and respectful attitude towards diverse sexual & fetish interests.

This dissertation provides a thorough background research on pain mechanisms in the nervous system and the psycho-social theories for why people enjoy S&M. It also tests how BDSM participants perceive their experiences with consensual S&M pain in light of their therapeutic benefits.