My comments are based on this article: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Health–Science/Bondage-sex-helps-couples-bond/articleshow/4341683.cms

Now, I’m in total agreement regarding the title, however I’m not getting the math that the article is using. According to one study, the article cites that an increase in cortisol (a stress hormone) increased with SM play. Wouldn’t that mean that the couple is less bonded? Or, do increased stress hormones somehow increase bonding? I’m not quite getting the science here.

Another study states that there were increased levels of testosterone in the female bottoms after SM play. Not sure how this leads to a conclusion of bonding, but it’s interesting none-the-less.

The article asks that future studies check for orgasm related to play, since current science seems to agree that the experience of orgasm during a sexual encounter leads to increased hormones connected to bonding, at least for women. The wrinkle here is, I believe, that not all SM play leads to orgasm, however I would wonder whether or not that means those folks aren’t feeling “bonded” to their partners. Maybe what is really needed here is Ye Olde Multi-Method research, inccluding not only tests for particular hormones (objective) but also people’s responses regarding how they feel (subjective).

So, although this is a step in the right direction, at least according to this article (which is hardly the full outline of the study I’m sure) I’m not really seeing the connection between bondage and bonding. Unfortunately, for those of us who have experienced it, we can’t just use “Duh!” as scientific evidence.