Could the masochism-as-therapy premise in 2003’s Secretary have a scientific basis?

It’s possible, according to a group of Russian scientists who claim that “methods of painful impact” could have a positive effect on mood:

Russian scientists from the city of Novosibirsk, Siberia, made a sensational report at the international conference devoted to new methods of treatment and rehabilitation in narcology. The report was called “Methods of painful impact to treat addictive behavior.”

Siberian scientists believe that addiction to alcohol and narcotics, as well as depression, suicidal thoughts and psychosomatic diseases occur when an individual loses his or her interest in life. The absence of the will to live is caused with decreasing production of endorphins - the substance, which is known as the hormone of happiness. If a depressed individual receives a physical punishment, whipping that is, it will stir up endorphin receptors, activate the “production of happiness” and eventually remove depressive feelings.

(Read more…)

Perhaps there’s something to the idea of dominatrix-as-therapist after all!

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