The hard problem of consciousness is one which continues to dog philosophers and scientists alike. But recently, thinkers have restored to less conventional ways of discussing consciousness. In this article, Sam E. Greenberg explores the mystical effects of BDSM, and how it alters our states of consciousness.

For centuries, cultures across the world have engaged in extreme ritual practices as a means of achieving spiritual and transcendent states. These extreme rituals typically incorporated pain, suffering, intense physical stimulation, or deprivation and played an important cultural role. BDSM - bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism is a modern day practice that bears similarity to extreme rituals practiced across history and cultures. BDSM involves the consensual exchange of power, bondage, or pain usually with the intent to create pleasure or other positive experiences for participants. It is a common misconception that BDSM is always an explicitly sexual practice, an idea resoundingly rejected by practitioners. Rather, BDSM is any activity that involves an intentional and consensual exchange of power and/or pain, humiliation, physical or psychological restraint, or other intense sensations with the intention of experiencing pleasure or desirable sensations.