“The worst cruelty that can be inflicted on a human being is isolation.”
-Sukarno
Definition
Sensory Deprivation is the act of taking away someone’s senses, usually through blindfolds, gags, hoods, earplugs or noise cancelling headphones and restrictive bondage. People like this form of play ranging from light to extreme because it allows them to enter other states of consciousness that our minds try to avoid. It can be very intense both physically and psychologically, with some finding it meditative and calming while others feel it is too hard to endure for even a few moments at a time.
The Five Senses
There are many ways to cut off the five senses that can add to a feeling of utter helplessness and may return someone to their most simple state psychologically. When one is faced with nothing but their own true self, they must face whatever demons or angels lie inside. First of all there are blindfolds which cut off the sight. They range from eye masks for relaxing to sturdy leather affairs that lock around the face. There are also earplugs and noise cancelling headphones to cut out the sound. Many full-face hoods encompass padding around the ears to further block it out. Hoods also may have a gag component to take away the ability to speak and to taste.
Extreme Sensory Dep
Sensory Dep, the shortened version of the full term for this type of play, can get pretty extreme. The most extreme form is when people use inflatable full body rubber suits to bind them in place, in conjunction with a hood. This gives the body a feeling of floating and being in place while not touching anything. This can lead to what some may describe as a religious experience which will be remembered for a long time to come by any submissive or can take fragile submissives far beyond their breaking point. It should not surprise anyone that the enhanced interrogation techniques used in places like Gitmo relied heavily on extreme sensory deprivation, taken to a point far outside the realm of enjoyment or casual play.