# Sub Drop and Dom Drop: Meaning, Aftercare and Evidence

> Feeling low, tired or strangely disconnected after an intense scene has a name in the community — but sub drop and Dom drop are not medical diagnoses, and giving the orders does not make you immune.

Canonical URL: https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/sub-drop-and-dom-drop/
Markdown: https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/sub-drop-and-dom-drop/index.md
Publication: Classic BDSM — an India-focused, adult-only, non-explicit educational resource.

## Scope

This page covers: sub drop and dom drop.
Also addresses: sub drop meaning; dom drop meaning; what is sub drop; is sub drop real.
Not covered here (see the linked pages instead): aftercare; bdsm aftercare; trust in d/s relationships.

## Key concepts

- sub drop
- Dom drop
- top drop
- aftercare
- cortisol
- endorphins
- BDSM psychology
- community terminology

## Sections

- What is sub drop? (https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/sub-drop-and-dom-drop/#what-is-sub-drop)
- What is Dom drop, and why the dominant role does not protect you (https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/sub-drop-and-dom-drop/#what-is-dom-drop)
- What people commonly report, and when it tends to show up (https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/sub-drop-and-dom-drop/#what-people-commonly-report-and-when)
- Why you might feel different afterward (https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/sub-drop-and-dom-drop/#why-you-might-feel-different-afterward)
- The "endorphin crash" story, and what the evidence actually shows (https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/sub-drop-and-dom-drop/#the-endorphin-crash-story-and-what-evidence-shows)
- Drop versus aftercare — they are related, not the same thing (https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/sub-drop-and-dom-drop/#drop-versus-aftercare)
- What can help, and when it's not just drop (https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/sub-drop-and-dom-drop/#what-can-help-and-when-its-not-just-drop)

## Sources referenced

- Journal of Positive Sexuality — Sprott, R. A. & Randall, A. M., "Black and Blues: Sub Drop, Top Drop, Event Drop and Scene Drop" (https://journalofpositivesexuality.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/10.51681-1.233_Black-and-Blues-Sub-Drop-Top-Drop-Event-Drop-Scene-Drop_Sprott-Randall.pdf)
- Archives of Sexual Behavior — Sagarin, B. J., Cutler, B., Cutler, N., Lawler-Sagarin, K. A. & Matuszewich, L., "Hormonal Changes and Couple Bonding in Consensual Sadomasochistic Activity" (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18563549/)
- Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy — Sprott, R. A., Herbitter, C., Grant, P., Moser, C. & Kleinplatz, P. J., "Clinical Guidelines for Working with Clients Involved in Kink" (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37439228/)
- The Journal of Sex Research — Mercer, K. H., "How Was That for You? Aftercare, Impression Management and Gender in BDSM" (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39360893/)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-01