TATTOOS AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Blog written by Sabrina Robinson @SabrinaRobinsonArt in collaboration with @vinnietatts Vincent Enso of  @boisetattoo Boise Tattoo Company

“IN SHORT, TATTOOING IS A DIALOGUE WITH THE NERVOUS SYSTEM” 

Tattooing is an immersive and overwhelming process for our bodies. Our skin is a living breathing organ and causing trauma to it, however small the tattoo, communicates that trauma to our endocrine and nervous systems. Our nervous system, which is composed of our brain, spinal cord, and nerves sends fast moving electrical signals throughout our body to dictate how we handle and perceive sensations. Our endocrine system communicates with chemical signals utilizing glands like our adrenals and thyroid to work together in the hypothalamus where it interacts with the nervous system.

The Autonomic Nervous System (Fight / Flight vs Rest / Digest) is triggered during the early stages of the tattoo. Sympathetic activation ("fight or flight") will commence before the needle even touches the skin. Once our body enters the tattoo space, the smell of green soap and the touch of a razor are enough to release adrenaline, increase heart rate and heighten alertness. As the session continues, many people shift into parasympathetic dominance ("rest and digest"). They experience Slower breathing, a Calm, trance-like state and often a Reduced perception of pain. 

This shift explains why people often say:

"The first 10 minutes were rough, then I settled"

The body soon responds with endorphins which are natural painkillers (similar to runner's high). Dopamine acts as a neurotransmitter in our brains to reward us, while also influencing hormones in the periphery, in low doses influencing the blood vessels to widen, improving heart function and relaxation. Oxytocin also occasionally enters the chat stimulating bonding and trust, especially in safe tattoo environments and when receiving particularly emotional or meaningful tattoos.

This biochemical cocktail can produce 

• Euphoria

• Emotional release

• Calm focus

• sense of catharsis

This is one reason some people describe tattooing as addictive or therapeutic. Extended tattoo sessions can even induce flow states and meditative awareness. The combination of the needle rhythm, controlled breath, focus and mindfulness can mirror practices like Chanting Drumming, or Repetitive mantra. Many traditional tattoo cultures intentionally use/used this effect. 

Which brings us to the deeper cognitive and biological functions of tattoos. For many people, controlled pain in a safe environment can help re-regulate a dysregulated nervous system.The client chooses when it starts or stops, and what the pain means. This can be powerful for people with traumatic histories, chronic anxiety, dissociation. In this way, tattooing can act as a way of grounding someone back into their body.

Next, let's answer the common question, “why do some tattoos hurt more than others?” Different areas hurt more because of higher nerve density, thinner skin, their proximity to bone, or their proximity to major nerve pathways. Even within the area of a 5 inch tattoo, the client can experience various levels of pain often differing to the extreme. Areas with scar tissue, moles, or hyperpigmentation can also contain clusters of nerves, or heightened levels of inflammation causing them to be more painful. Alternatively, areas with thicker skin, or nerve damage can be much easier to sit through. 

Last, let’s touch on the earlier mentioned meditative States and Altered Consciousness. 

Tattoos become neurologically encoded memories. The brain links physical sensations to our emotional state and the visual symbol we leave with. Strong sensory experiences create durable neural pathways which is why the quality of a tattoo experience will influence a clients perception of tattoos or future appointments. Our tattoos are "alive"! From the meaning they hold long after healing, to their eternal suspension in our immune system. They're not just visual markers, but stored nervous system experiences. Makes you want another, doesn’t it?