Tattooing and the Nervous System

I've wanted tattoos for as long as I can remember.

I grew up around art on both sides of my family. My dads side always had interesting tattoos, all of which matched their personalities very well. Tattoos weren't treated as something rebellious or shocking, just another form of expression. I could not wait till I could finally have some of my own, I would think of ideas of what I would want in my teenage years.

When I turned 18, I went to the same artist my dad's family had been going to for years (amazing artist Nic Skrade). My first tattoo was a tribal butterfly on my ribs, which did not hurt nearly as much as I thought.

That surprised me enough that I booked my next appointment the same day. That's where my curiosity became an obsession.

Our state of consciousness is closely tied to what's happening in the brain -- neurotransmitters like dopamine, endorphins, and norepinephrine. Humans have always found ways to alter those levels. Exercise. Music. Dancing. Drugs. Getting Tattooed!

Early in a session, the body responds with stress. Heart rate increases, adrenaline kicks in, awareness sharpens (a very stimulating amazing feeling imo). As the session continues, many people notice a shift. Pain fades into the background, our perception of time feels different, and we become focused.

Endorphins help manage pain. Dopamine adds motivation and meaning. Trust between artist and client can bring oxytocin, reinforcing safety and connection. The result helps our tolerability, and can help train our body to regulate under stimulating conditions.

For people with ADHD(like myself), anxiety, or chronic stress, controlled pain in a safe environment can be grounding. Breathing matters. Rhythm matters. Tone matters. Tattooing isn't just for aesthetic purposes, it's a full body experience.

For people with trauma /dysregulated nervous systems tattooing can be a helpful experience as well. Controlled pain in a safe environment can help re-regulate someones nervous system. The client chooses when it starts. When it stops. What the pain means, etc.

For me, longer sessions often lead to a focused almost meditative state (which is why I prefer these).

Understanding this has changed the way I think about tattooing. The more I learn about what's happening beneath the skin, the more I realize the experience matters just as much as the outcome.

Talked a lot of science in this one.

Maybe ill look into it a little bit more. The more you know the more you can help.