Quick links: Flow State | Topspace & Subspace | My Experience | FAQs | Key Takeaways | Next Steps
Most people who have been into BDSM for a while have heard at least a little about subspace, the trancelike state of enhanced submission and euphoria experienced by many submissives. What many don’t know, however, is that there is a corresponding altered state of consciousness that is entered by many Dominants during a BDSM scene.
Topspace or Domspace is a form of flow state which is unique to BDSM only in its context and in the emotions thrown into the mix. A performer, artist, programmer, or the like who enters a creative or technical flow state during their work and also Tops in BDSM may find Topspace familiar in many ways.
A programmer can lose ten hours in a flow state, but their goal is elegant code, not the submissive needs of their partner. The desire, care, respect, and urge to delight and satisfy one’s partner – felt by a Dominant, mix with the flow state in Topspace in pleasurable ways that can enhance the scene for both.
Topspace is an entirely different phenomenon and experience than subspace, though both could be categorized as altered states of consciousness caused by BDSM play.
It is nowhere near as intense, it focuses rather than distracts, and there is little evidence of the drastic brain and body chemistry changes experienced by those in subspace.
Absolute focus
The definition of a flow state is a mental state of absolute focus on the task being engaged in. Thoughts outside of the subject at hand are minimized, and the focus is entirely on achieving the task, not on matters like how long it is taking or how well you are doing it. Even your perception of time may end up excluded from your focus while you are in this state.
“The psychobiological state of flow is described as a state of mind in which a person is completely and effortlessly immersed in an activity; flow is considered a hallmark of peak performance.”
from NSCA’s Essentials of Sport Science
by NSCA -National Strength & Conditioning Association, Duncan French, Lorena Torres Ronda; Human Kinetics, 2021
In BDSM, the Dominant who enters Topspace is entering the flow state, becoming completely focused on the scene and their submissive. In most ways, this is a good thing, because becoming distracted during a scene can not only ruin it but potentially endanger the submissive.
The flow state feels good; being completely present at the moment and focused on what you are doing often comes with a sense of well-being and connectedness. It aids not only performance but confidence. When you experience it, you are “in the zone”, in a state where self-doubt and self-criticism are just more extraneous information that gets filtered out.
However, being in a flow state does come with a few drawbacks, and Topspace/Domspace is no exception to that. Since your perception of time is altered or shut out entirely (the “I looked up and realized it was hours later” phenomenon), having some kind of timekeeping device in view might be necessary.
You may also become overconfident, which can lead to accidents or push your submissive too far.
BDSM topspace and subspace
Aside from both being BDSM-related and altered states of consciousness, Topspace and subspace have very little in common. However, they are complimentary and tend to feed into each other.
BDSM Subspace
Subspace is a powerful experience for the submissive that is triggered by brain and body chemistry changes in response to pain, restraint, and desire. They lose focus and trance out while in this state and are effectively helpless while experiencing other effects ranging from heightened pain tolerance to aggressive dirty talk.
BDSM Topspace
Topspace is a flow state induced by the Dominants’ focus on an intense and enjoyable BDSM scene. They become more in control while in this state, while their submissive partner loses more control. They may be reluctant to leave Domspace but can be pulled out of it relatively easily in case of an emergency or a need to deal with an outside situation.
The more the submissive trances out and enjoys themself, the more confident-focused, and dominant their Dom will become. This is a great situation to be in, as long as the Dominant knows what they are doing and keeps mindful of the needs, boundaries, and preferences of their submissive.
If the Dominant is inexperienced or lets themself become overconfident, or if they are unethical, however, this “feedback loop” can lead to disaster.
You don’t want to mix someone who doesn’t notice or care how much time has gone by, or whether an activity was previously agreed on, with someone who is so loopy from endorphins that they can’t speak up for themselves when their hands go numb, or when their Dominant starts pushing a hard limit.
“Endorphins, which are released by the pituitary gland during exercise, love, and excitement, trigger dopamine release, which then stimulates the nucleus accumbens and leads to feelings of pleasure.”
from Mind Over Medicine
by Lissa Rankin, M.D.; Hay House, 2013
Personal Experiences With Topspace
As a fire performer, I was already familiar with the flow state when I became part of the local BDSM community. I was surprised at first when I began to experience something very similar when acting as a Dominant in a scene.
Topspace is definitely a positive experience. When in it, I feel more confident, more connected, and more in control. Time absolutely flies, so I might need to keep track of it on my phone to make sure I don’t, say, leave my submissive tied up for too long.
I otherwise seem to perform better as a Dominant while in Topspace, according to past and current partners.
However, I can see how a less experienced Dom, or one with fewer ethics, could easily get carried away. It is not as intoxicating as what I have seen of subspace, but being in Topspace is definitely such a confidence booster that it may lead to overconfidence. Overconfidence is dangerous in a Dominant, especially one whose submissive is in subspace.
BDSM Topspace FAQs
Is Topspace a trance state like subspace?
In many ways, Topspace is the opposite of subspace. It is described as a type of flow state, which is a hyper-focused state where someone essentially becomes one with the task. The Dominant is in control the entire time and can leave that mental state quickly if needed.
Subspace on the other hand involves a specific type of loss of control and is very difficult to leave quickly. It also can have aftereffects, while leaving Topspace normally does not.
How do you know when you are in Domspace?
Topspace is a flow state and is characterized by intense and effortless-feeling focus and control over your actions, with your sense of time shifting as you essentially become one with what you’re doing. Since you’re topping someone, this kind of relaxed alertness is likely mixed with arousal, mild euphoria, and likely feelings of love and/or affection as well.
Are there drawbacks or risks to being in Topspace?
Yes. Because Topspace increases the Dominant’s command of, and immersion in, the scene, it can make them overconfident, and too willing to push the submissive’s limits-especially if the sub is currently experiencing subspace and has a weakened sense of their own boundaries.
The two mental states can feed into each other, which can be delightful or disastrous. The deciding factor here is down to the Dominant’s trustworthiness, maturity, and self-control.
BDSM Topspace Key Takeaways
- Topspace is a form of flow state experienced by Dominants, which generally causes enhanced focus, a sense of well-being, and control over themselves, the BDSM scene, and their submissive.
- It differs from other forms of flow state in both context and the emotions involved, and in the fact that it involves control over not only yourself but another person.
- Topspace and subspace can feed into each other, since the deeper a Dominant is into Topspace the more control they have, while the deeper a submissive is into subspace, the more control they give up. The heightened dominance heightens the submission of the sub and vice versa. This can enhance the scene for both, or can lead to disaster if the Dominant lets themself get carried away while “in the zone”.
- Dominants rarely suffer drawbacks from coming out of Domspace, though it may feel like a bit of a letdown. Unlike submissives, who may need significant time and aftercare to normalize, Doms in Topspace can exit it fairly quickly.
- Aftercare is even more important when you have experienced Topspace, especially if the sub was in subspace at the same time. It gives Dominants time to normalize, check in with their submissive and deal with any potential fallout from a scene that may well be more intense than usual.
What’s Next?
Have you ever really gotten into the zone while topping someone? Have you experienced heightened focus and a sense of control while wielding your flogger or ordering your sub around? Have you felt time racing by, or standing still, while you’re running a scene? Then congratulations: you have experienced Topspace.
Learn as much as possible about Topspace and how to manage it if you find yourself experiencing it. And, as always with all BDSM activities, be transparent with your submissive about Topspace, and always use a safe word.
