Q&A Forum - May 2008 (The best of Elise series)

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I am not aware of Dr. Hawkins or his teachings but I do agree with the premise of your question. Some argue that subspace is biological and has to do with endorphins. But I believe subspace is a result of the mental and the spiritual. I wrote the following in my book:

“I analyze subspace from a psychological perspective, not from a biological perspective. Men who are masochists claim that they enter subspace via endorphins that are released in the brain to block the pain and this causes the man to obtain a sort of a high from the endorphins. Endorphins are hormones that bind to opiate receptors and they reduce the sensation of pain and can affect the emotions. I do not doubt the validity of the high that endorphins provide to a masochist. Runners who push themselves beyond their threshold claim to have a runner's high from endorphins. However, I feel that this is different from subspace. While a masochist may indeed enter subspace, I believe this is due to the mental stimulation that he encounters as he surrenders his will over to the female.