Sub drop is the body’s response to the sudden drop of hormones in the body after a play session. The endorphins and other hormones like adrenaline and oxy-tocin (The idea of where the name of our shop came from) , released during BDSM play that causes subspace, leave your body and it takes time to rebuild the balance of hormones in your system. The physical and emotional reaction to the withdrawal of those hormones causes sub drop. You may feel emotions ranging from depression, sadness, frustration. In fact, you may even experience  flu-like symptoms.

Sub drop can be said to be similar to withdrawal from hard substances. It can get that bad. They are also known to be more common in committed and long-term relationships than casual sex relationships.

The range of symptoms of Sub Drop is usually vast and unique to each person. Although most of the symptoms are physical in nature, there are emotional symptoms as well. Take a look at some of them:

There are things you can do to help you prevent some or all of the symptoms of sub drop. Check them out:

• First, make sure you've had a decent meal before play. We recommend a light high protein, low carbohydrate, lots of vegetables and plenty of water about an hour before the scene.
• If you are fit and healthy, stretch before play. It warms the muscles and prepares your body for the stress you will be putting it under. If you are not fit and healthy, do a light bit of cardio like running in place for 5 minutes and then stretch. Yoga can also help prepare your body for the intense sensations you might experience.
• Check your mood. If you are already feeling down, stressed, or just not right, we advise that you postpone play. If you do decide to go ahead, these feelings might escalate during sub drop.
• Lastly, be aware that it can happen. So get your mind ready. Hydration helps your mood so have water at hand, fast sugars like orange juice or candy, a blanket and make sure you have someone to snuggle or talk to if your Dom isn't available.

• First, submissives should be more responsible for their aftercare. Not all dominants give aftercare. If you are lucky enough to be able to negotiate aftercare, good for you. But, if you're not, you need to step up and take care of your needs. Do not blame the sub drop or lack in aftercare on someone else. Besides, your Dom could be experiencing Dom drop too and might need to fend for themselves too.

Before we continue, here is what Hans West, a BDSM coach on Quora said on sub-drops taking responsibility for their aftercare.

“Some Dom(me)s do not like to give aftercare and in these cases, it might be important that you take care of yourself and create a network that helps you to take care of your aftercare. Aftercare can be outsourced (also important for the Dom(me) to not step into the pitfall of perfectionism and hide the fact that you are not good at it).”

One way to deal with your sub's drop as a dom is to put extra effort in making sure they feel loved and supported. Extra calls and messages when you can't be around them will go a long way. You could also add some more aftercare activities and communicate with your partner to know when they need to be alone or need attention.

A sub drop could begin anywhere from a few hours to a few days and may even last up to weeks.