There was a thread started no that long ago asking what was the attraction of pain. In a similar vein I am going to inquire about humiliation. I propose that it too be considered a form of masochism but one involving emotional discomfort rather than physical pain. Instead of pain related endorphins humiliation seems to unleash adrenalin (and noradrenalin)which if the testosterone level is high mimics sexual excitement.

Humiliation plays a relatively small role in my masochism. Now and then something clicks and I am effectively humiliated but for every one of those there are four misfires. If there are too many of these wet firecrackers the session tends to leave am unsatisfactory aftertaste.

Licking boots is boring.

However I know that there are those on this forum who are really into humiliation. I am interested in hearing how they view their kink. Do they acknowledge that it is masochistic or do they have an alternate phenomenology?

Licking boots is so boring...

You're right: masochism can be physical *and/or* emotional. I also think it can be spiritual.

The complement to an emotional masochist is the emotional sadist, of course. You see lots of emotional sadists online. It's a convenient way to express their sadist behind the safety (and anonymity) of their computer.

I really enjoy exploring headspaces, which includes emotional sadism/masochism. It, too, find licking boots alone to leave me feeling unfulfilled. I don't personally get too much satisfaction from that act alone. But when coupled with a humiliating or degrading emotional component? Now we're talking

Good points. In my post I was tempted to bring up the other side of the coin, namely the emotional sadist but decided to keep the post simple and short. I am a bit of a switch. In recent years I am mostly a bottom but 15 years I was mostly a top and looking back I don't think humiliation played much of a role in my sadism just like my masochism.