I think that these folks may be potential new fans of Chutch:

Advocates say suspension has been practiced since ancient times in many societies.

"It's searching for answers, trying new things," Hiller said. "You can only get pierced and tattooed so many times."

He says that like it's a bad thing.

I watched that "reality" show on Sci-Fi last year. I can't even remember the name of it now, but they had a guy who did that. Eeewwww is right.

This isn't that uncommon. I'm surprised you've never heard of it before.

BTW, I found this line particularly amusing:

"'The first couple of times, I didn't enjoy it,' said Canadian Warren Hiller. 'The first time I blacked out, and one time I was convulsing. But the third time I got better. I wasn't blacking out anymore.'"

Yeah, that was a good one. "I'll keep doing this incredibly painful thing."

Oww! Oww! Oww! That has got to hurt like nobody's business. And just to make it clear to everyone. I will not be trying that even in another life (if you believe in that sort of thing...)

Yikes!

Limbaugh had a caller the other day who said she was a dominatrix, and would spank people. She said something about that with enough pain, your brain produces endorphins to counteract the pain and gives you a rush. (pun not intended) That must be what these suspension people do what they do for. It amazes me what people will do to themselves just to get a rush. Good grief.

Wasn't this done in "A Man Called Horse"?