Throughout history, sexuality has been important to the continuation of our species. During this month of pride, we explore when we've turned sexuality into a diagnosis and where expressions of sexuality can be harmful or feel shameful. Cultural influences such as Rihanna's song "S&M," TikTok's 'book-tok' community's love of books with dominant characters, and "50 Shades of Gray" have all continued to bring more diverse sexual practices into the mainstream. Research has shown about 20% of people have some interest in kink. So why is this a diagnosis? Should it be? In this month's episode, Laine walks us through findings from Elise, Wuyts, Manuel, Morrens, and many others to help us better understand why the appeal for kink exists, when it can be harmful, and when it can be healthy. And helps explore: What is our understanding of sexual desire? What can we learn from alternative sexual practices? What does this mean for the field of mental health and the power mental health professionals wield? **Though this episode covers an adult topic, it does not have explicit content. As mentioned at the beginning of this episode, we've also started a Patreon! We value all of our listeners and want to get continue to grow this incredible work. Thank you so much to all our supporters and if you want to know more ways to be part of our Brain Blown Community, head to ⁠www.patreon.com/brainblownpodcast⁠ to learn about our offers! RESOURCES https://www.esmeljames.com/ Elise Wuyts Manuel Morrens -- The biology of BDSM: a systematic review Kristina Gupta -- Protecting Sexual Diversity: Rethinking the Use of Neurotechnological Interventions to Alter Sexuality Siyang Luo, Xiao Zhang -- Embodiment and Humiliation Moderation of Neural Responses to Others' Suffering in Female Submissive BDSM Practitioners Umit Sayin -- DSM Controversies, Defining the Normal and the Paraphilia: Sexual Pleasure Objects, Fantasy, Variations, Soft-BDSM, ESR, Hypersexuality, Sex Addiction and Nymphomania Cara R. Dunkley, Anne Barringer, Silvain Dang, Lori A. Brotto -- Dispositional Mindfulness among BDSM Practitioners: A Preliminary Investigation Gautami Polepally Ashok -- Childhood Trauma, BDSM, and Self-Esteem: An Exploration of the Impact of Childhood Trauma on Sexual Behavior and the Effects to Self-esteem Ashley Brown -- A Systematic Scoping Review of the Prevalence, Etiological, Psychological, and Interpersonal Factors Associated with BDSM