The brand is usually in the shape of the fraternity's greek letters and is meant as a lifelong symbol. Breland says the members of his fraternity have the choice to be branded, but it is not required. When Breland received his brand, he was among his brothers, some who were branded and some who were not. While his brothers watched and Fabian sat, a coat hanger, molded in the shape of the omega, was heated on a stove and pressed into his upper arm. You feel the initial hit, and that's it.
Endorphins are a group of proteins made naturally in the brain that help people endure pain.
The hanger and Breland's arm were cleaned with rubbing alcohol before the branding occurred. Breland says the wound hurt most during the healing period, which took at least a month. Breland takes his brand seriously and considers it something sacred, but he understands that other people may wonder why he did it. He has been approached many times about the mark and says that people who are on the outside, looking in, think branding is crazy. Sometimes he takes offense, but most of the time Breland says he just wants a reciprocated understanding.