http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/8/3177438/cyborg-america-biohackers-grinders-body-hackers
In fact, I suspect the point of the rituals is to demonstrate that you can handle pain and be left with a hard to forge signal of this fact.
Great point. It could even be both. :)
http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/8/3177438/cyborg-america-biohackers-grinders-body-hackers