Bondage To Free Your Mind & Have Better Orgasms 

Today we’re diving into the topic of bondage and how it has the power to free your mind plus give you better orgasms. But this doesn’t mean that everyone should or wants to experiment with bondage. And that’s totally okay.  

Bondage, and other BDSM (bondage, discipline, sadism, and masochism) acts, are not for everyone, and it is most certainly not the only way for individuals and couples to experience bedroom bliss.  

So whether you’re here out of interest, intrigue, or you’re already living the bondage lifestyle, you may be interested to learn more about what makes bondage so freeing and orgasm-worthy. 

But first—the basics…  

What is bondage? 

Bondage is a form of sex play that falls under the umbrella of the BDSM lifestyle. And actually, evidence suggests that almost 59 percent of males and nearly 55 percent of females list bondage as one of their favorite BDSM activities. 

Bondage sex is when one consensually ties up or restrains their partner in such a way that sexual pleasure can be given or received.  

And while there are individuals who believe it to be some form of sexual or domestic abuse, this is 100 percent not the case.  

Bondage, when practiced consensually, is a healthy and respectful form of play that has the ability to bring couples closer together. It also has the power to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety. 

Bondage can also involve the element of power play. Many who engage in bondage practices often take on the role of either dominant, submissive, or switch.  

A dominant is the partner who will be tying up or restraining their partner, while the submissive will be the partner who is tied up or restrained. A switch, on the other hand, is when both partners take on either role when the mood strikes.  

Alternatively however, there is such a thing as self-bondage. This is when a person uses restraints on oneself for solo pleasure. This kind of bondage requires a reliable release mechanism, and can be riskier than partnered bondage. 

Having said that, not all people enjoy or have an interest in the sexual aspect of bondage. In fact, for many, bondage is a chance to be creative, to engage in art, and to experience sensations that are new but not necessarily erotic.  

For today’s purposes however, we’re going to look at the sexual aspect of bondage. 

What are the different kinds of bondage? 

Now that you’re more aware of what bondage entails, let’s get more in detail with a few of the most popular kinds of bondage. 

Shibari: This is one of the oldest forms of bondage originating from Japan. Shibari involves artfully tying a person with silk bondage rope and layering said-rope in order to turn them into a work of art. Shibari requires a lot of skill and practice, so it is more popular for those who are big bondage enthusiasts. 

Gags: This is a common bondage item that is placed over or inside of the mouth making it impossible for the gagged person to speak. Gags can also be used to force a person’s mouth open, or to limit a person’s breath (breathplay).  

Sensory deprivation: This involves reducing someone’s ability to either hear, feel, or see. A blindfold, for example, is a popular form of sensory deprivation. Some other kinds include wearing a leather mask that covers the eyes and ears, wearing earplugs to eliminate the ability to hear sound, and even isolation tanks which can cut off most or all of the senses. 

Restrictive bondage: This kind of bondage is when material such as bondage rope or leather, or a bondage sex toy such as a spreader bar or handcuffs are used to restrict a person’s movement.  

Breast bondage: This entails tying the breasts, usually with bondage rope or a harness. The main objective of breast bondage isn’t to restrict movement but rather to frame and accentuate the breasts. This kind of bondage also makes the breasts extra sensitive to any type of touch. 

Also, it’s not uncommon for dominants to use a sexual device during a bondage scene. For example, they may stimulate their submissive’s erogenous zones or, if the submissive is a female, use a clitoral stimulation vibrator.  

Doing so has the power to transcend a scene and could even prompt the practice of edging. Edging is stopping all forms of sexual stimulation for a few seconds or minutes when one is close to orgasm. This results in a delayed orgasm which is often stronger. 

Bondage in mainstream pop culture  

Now that we’ve covered the basics, you may be interested to learn that bondage actually has a place in mainstream pop culture and media. For one, there is anime bondage. 

Anime is a style of Japanese film and TV animation with its earliest animation emerging in 1917. Interestingly, it is only within the last five years or so that anime has actually become -a thing- as prior to this, it was considered uncool or geeky.  

So, why the link between anime and bondage? Oftentimes, contemporary erotic anime caters to an insecure male audience who have fantasies about asserting dominance over women. And so, anime bondage was born in order to fulfill this male fantasy. 

Another popular component in anime bondage is the Japanese art erotic rope bondage, Shibari. Some anime bondage depicts Shibari as a means to evocate traditional Japanese customs. By this we mean that women are forced to confront their sense of modesty. After all, polite Japanese women shouldn’t expose their bodies in such a manner, right?  

Then of course, there are other mainstream bondage videos and films.  

Some of the most popular bondage videos and films include: 

• 50 Shades of Grey 
• The Secretary 
• The Piano Teacher 
• American Kamasutra 
• Darker Shades of Elise 

So, for those who believed that bondage was a niche BDSM act, it’s definitely gained a lot of popularity in the mainstream. 

Besides anime bondage, which may heighten the appeal of bondage, why else is this BDSM act so appealing? 

Why is bondage so appealing? 

Bondage sex can be appealing for a number of different reasons, and it can vary from person to person.  

Some of the most popular reasons why bondage is so appealing include: 

• Trust: engaging in bondage practices requires deep trust, which can be very rewarding.  

• Thrill: during a bondage scene, it can feel dangerous which is quite a thrill. But it should be known that bondage should never actually be dangerous. 
• Relaxation: it can be especially relaxing for those who are being tied up, because there’s absolutely nothing required of them and there are no expectations.  
• Power exchange: As mentioned earlier, there can be a strong element of power play during a bondage scene. 
• Aesthetics: some bondage techniques are done because the result is a beautiful aesthetic, such as shibari.  
• Learning new techniques: for those who like to learn new things and who have a keen interest in bondage, learning different bondage techniques can be a thrill in itself. 

And so, fellow readers, it’s time to get into the meat of this article: using bondage to free your mind and to have better orgasms.  

Is this really possible though? Indeed, it is. 

Is practicing bondage linked to less anxiety? 

In tackling the question of whether bondage sex can free your mind, we’re going to take a look at how the practice directly impacts one’s level of anxiety.  

After all, a mind without worries and anxiety is essentially a free one.  

On that topic, good news! There is a positive correlation between bondage and levels of anxiety. 

Another piece of good news is that the old belief that bondage sex was linked to mental disorders and the vulnerability to abuse, is no longer.  

In fact, a study found that bondage enthusiasts had favorable psychological characteristics as opposed to those who don’t practice BDSM.  

For example, it showed that those who practiced bondage were less neurotic, more extroverted, more open to new experiences, more conscientious, less rejection sensitive, and had higher subjective well-being. 

But how does bondage help free your mind? Well, in 2014 researchers at Northern Illinois University conducted research whereby they studied 14 switches after randomly assigning each to one of two roles (dominant or submissive).  

After this, the participants engaged in their preferred bondage activities which was followed by something called the Stroop Task, a test that measures mental acuity.  

The results showed that the submissive partners had a significant reduction in their scores after engaging in bondage practices. This led researchers to deduce that bondage activity may lead bondage submissives into an altered state.  

This could be because these kinds of activities prompt blood to flow away from certain areas, such as the brain.  

“This may also help to explain some similar states of altered consciousness: things like runner’s high, some kinds of drug effects, meditation,” said Brad Sagarin, the leader of the study.  

He continued to say: 

“It [bondage] lets people let go for a while. You’re put in a position where you don’t have control and that is actually pretty freeing. You can just relax and go with it.” 

In a different 2009 study, also led by Sagarin and his team, levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) were measured from saliva samples in people who engaged in bondage.  

Their findings? When participants reported having great bondage sessions, their levels of cortisol were lower than before they engaged in bondage practices.  

Additionally, these participants also showed an increase in relationship closeness. Which brings us to our next point…  

How can practicing bondage give you better orgasms? 

Okay, so we’ve just mentioned that partners who take part in bondage practices often feel a sense of relationship closeness after their bondage scene.  

But what does that, and other bondage perks, have to do with enjoying better orgasms? A heck of a lot, actually.  

Better communication  

According to licensed clinical social worker, Lisa Hochberger: “Experienced BDSM practitioners usually exhibit high levels of sex education and communication skills. People plan out ‘scenes’ using many forms of safety precautions that involve a strong sense of assertiveness and negotiation as well as vulnerability.” 

Inevitably, being able to communicate efficiently in general leads to a more fulfilling relationship… including positive results in one’s sex life. When partners are able to talk about their desires, fantasies, likes and dislikes, they’re more prone to getting the kinds of sexual experiences they want. The result? Better and/or more orgasms. 

Deepens trust 

In addition to better communication, those who practice bondage and other acts of BDSM tend to experience a deeper level of trust with their long-term partners. The act of bondage can be very powerful which could ultimately bring couples closer together.  

This is important because when there is trust and deeper levels of intimacy, it often removes any feelings of discomfort, anxiety, or stress when it comes to sexual experiences. In this way, individuals are more prone to letting themselves go and giving into their pleasure, resulting in better/more orgasms. 

Increases intimacy  

The fact that acts of bondage have elements of risk can actually contribute to higher levels of intimacy. And with this intimacy comes a lot of self-revelation (showing your partner who you really are).  

Why is this important? During self-revelation, one may feel a sense of closeness and deepened love for their partner. This kind of profound intimacy has the power to transcend bondage sex, which can lead to powerful/more orgasms. 

Prompts better mental health  

As mentioned, both dominants and submissives showed lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, after a bondage scene. These individuals also reported low levels of psychological stress. This could be because the nature of bondage, with its physical intensity, is coupled with the ability to let go of judgment, expectations, and sexual anxiety.  

And what happens when one can truly let go of expectations, trust the process, and release sexual anxieties? You guessed it! Better and/or more orgasms! 

And so, there you have it! The studies alone speak for themselves. But isn’t it quite interesting and intriguing to learn of all the benefits of practicing bondage? For those who are curious, why not take a peek at a few bondage videos for inspiration?  

Either way, whether you’re already practicing bondage or you’re planning to, remember to always have safety in mind, and to only engage with people you trust in a consensual manner.  

Bondage, after all, is about respect, intimacy, good communication, pleasure, and boundaries.