This article contains spoilers for season three of Euphoria.
DISCLAIMER: Always get consent when trying something new. If you’re concerned about your safety or need advice on sex and sexuality, speak with a sexual health professional or counsellor or contact Brook for anonymous support.
We’re only three episodes into season three of Euphoria, and — surprise! — there’s already been a lot of sex. And not just any kind of sex: discourse-sparking sex.
The series has so far caused controversy for its scenes featuring Cassie (Sydney Sweeney), one of which sees her pretending to be dog — ears, leash, and all — in sexual roleplay with her husband-to-be Nate (Jacob Elordi), while another depicts her shooting content for OnlyFans while dressed up as a baby (something that’s banned on the real-life subscription platform, FYI).
Now, in the newest ep, it’s Jules’ (Hunter Schafer) turn in the kink seat. We learn that, to pay her way through art school, Jules has become a sugar baby. Among her clients are lawyer Rick, whose fetish is jerking off while licking nylon tights; finance guy Henry, who Jules secretly blows under the desk as he takes important work meetings; and plastic surgeon Ellis (Sam Trammell), who’s got a mummification kink.
Wait, I hear you cry, what the hell is a mummification kink?
Everyone's clicking on...
Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a form of bondage in which one person is consensually wrapped up like a mummy — in cling film, duct tape, bandages, blankets, etc. — in order to restrict their movement. In Euphoria, we see Jules, butt naked except for a black thong and heels, with her arms raised above her head, being wrapped head-to-toe in cling film by Ellis. “I just might keep you forever,” he says, admiring her mummified body once he’s done, before kissing her on the mouth (through the hole left so she can breathe).
Mummification is, obviously, an extremely advanced BDSM practice that should not be tried at home — it’s one that relies wholly on consent, trust, and safe practice, usually involving parties who all have substantial experience and a deep knowledge of the boundaries and safety considerations of this sort of BDSM. But what exactly is the appeal of mummifying someone, or having them mummify you? What power dynamics are at play? And what are the risks associated with this form of sexual play?
Why are people into mummification?
According to Katherine Cavallo, psychotherapist and spokesperson for the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), tight confinement, like mummification, can create deep pressure stimulation — in which firm, gentle pressure is applied to the body — which may calm the nervous system (hence why weighted blankets have become so popular in recent years). “This can be associated with the release of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine,” she explains. “In some cases, reduced oxygen levels may also contribute to altered states or feelings of euphoria, although this is clearly medically dangerous.” Again, we cannot emphasise the safety considerations and potential risk of this practice enough — it is not one to try at home.
Beyond the physical pleasure of being mummified, there can also be a thrill associated with the power dynamic of being at the mercy of someone else. Countess Diamond, a professional Dominatrix and OnlyFans creator, has done mummification with many of her clients. The appeal, she says, is “a feeling of confinement; of no control, but also relinquishing control; of giving up and letting someone else care for you and make the decisions”. She adds: “It’s combining deep pressure stimulation, the fact that you can’t move, and [total submission] to a hot, powerful somebody, who’s going to take you away from real life for a little while.”
Cavallo echoes this, noting that people who experience high levels of responsibility or pressure in their daily lives might find the surrendering of mummification, and BDSM more generally, particularly appealing. This is how Countess Diamond’s sessions usually go: “I’m in the role of Dominant as a service,” she says, “so providing someone what they want.”
However, in Euphoria, the dynamic is the other way around: Jules is providing a service to Ellis by being mummified. His pleasure comes from being the one in total control, rather than submitting to someone else. It’s about what he wants to do to Jules, rather than what he wants done to him.
“Contrary to popular belief, in healthy BDSM practices, it is the more ‘submissive’ partner who holds the power,” says Cavallo. “Trusting your partner to focus entirely on your own specific needs, whilst taking careful responsibility for monitoring and responding accordingly can generate a deep sense of intimacy, connection, and liberation.”
In mummification, however, Cavallo says that power balance is erased. “Once a person is unable to move or speak, they lose their agency and are in a state of complete vulnerability.”
What are the risks of mummification?
For some — whether you’re a submissive being mummified or a Dominant doing the mummifying — this is likely part of the appeal. But it’s also why the practice can be extremely dangerous. “[Once mummified], a person can’t advocate for themselves or protect themselves from harm,” Cavallo notes. “No matter how longstanding or safe a relationship may feel, trust alone cannot protect against the physiological risks of mummification. Because the ‘bound’ partner cannot save themselves if a medical emergency occurs, they are placing their life entirely in the hands of another. Trust does not mitigate the risk of accidental death.”
And, in light of the long-awaited and much-needed banning of the ‘rough sex defense’ in 2021 — used in court to justify fatal or serious injury during sexual activity — any perpetrator of injury or death in a mummification scenario would likely face serious prison time.
The risks associated with mummification include mechanical asphyxiation, long-term brain damage, and even death, says Cavallo. “The primary danger lies in the potential inability to maintain effective communication and the fact that a relaxed state of euphoria — the ‘high’ of the experience — can be physiologically indistinguishable from the early stages of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and loss of consciousness.”
She continues: “In the eyes of the law, this raises serious questions around consent and duty of care, and in certain circumstances could carry criminal implications, particularly where serious harm occurs or where consent cannot be clearly and continuously established. Given the complexities associated with maintaining active consent while immobilised, it becomes extremely difficult to ensure both ongoing consent and safety.”
What are the safest ways to practice mummification?
For those who are curious about the ‘swaddle’ effect of mummification, the safest way to practice it is to mimic the feeling, as opposed to acting it out proper. As Cavallo advises: “Consider safe, non-restrictive alternatives, such as weighted blankets or sensory deprivation [like blindfolds or noise-cancelling headphones] which can create a similar psychological effect without the inherent danger.”
And remember, only practice BDSM with a partner you trust, go slowly, and always have a clear and distinguishable safe word, ensuring no equipment or positions prevent you from using that safe word. Only ever participate in experiences you provide your full consent to, and in a setting where you feel comfortable stopping the experience any time you want to.
