Notice how we didn't say "most extreme." Someone, somewhere is always pushing the boundaries of body modification, but here are some of the wildest, relatively common ways people alter themselves in the name of art, insanity or whatever the inspiration:

5. Subdermal Implants

"I've got you…under my skin." While it's unlikely Sinatra was singing about inserting objects into his arms or head, his lyrics perfectly describe sub-dermal implantation and should probably be the theme song of any implant fan clubs out there. I think Frank's rolling over in his grave at the thought.

4. Branding

Nobody knows who the first person was to gaze longingly at a cow's posterior and have the courage to say "that….could be me!" but whoever it was, we salute you for pioneering the practice of branding as body art.

3. Bifurcation

Leave it to the literalists of the world to take the Native American expression "speaks with a forked tongue" as inspiration for a body art design, but we're not lying when we say that it's all a matter of taste for those who choose to undergo the procedure. Beyond the tongue, it's possible to split any…similar…fleshy protuberance…that you can imagine.

2. Scarification

For the easily squeamish, witnessing an artist performing body scarification will likely be the last thing you see before you black out. It is what it sounds like: cutting the flesh to create a permanent, decorative scar. Lunch anyone? Ok, maybe later.

1. Eyeball Tattoo

This is actually a 2,000 year old practice, and has medical applications, such as covering up corneal scarring. Or it could simply be used to make a person look like a vampire, which is almost as important.