BDSM is a range of normally erotic practices or roleplaying involving bondage, self-discipline, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, together with other linked interpersonal dynamics. Specified the big selection of techniques, several of which can be engaged in by folks who never take into consideration them selves to generally be practising BDSM, inclusion from the BDSM Local community or subculture typically is claimed to rely on self-identification and shared encounter.

The initialism BDSM is initial recorded inside a Usenet post from 1991, and is interpreted as a mix of the abbreviations B/D (Bondage and Self-discipline), D/s (Dominance and submission), and S/M (Sadism and Masochism). BDSM is now used for a catch-all phrase covering a variety of functions, kinds of interpersonal relationships, and distinctive subcultures. BDSM communities normally welcome anybody with a non-normative streak who identifies While using the Local community; this may involve cross-dressers, human body modification enthusiasts, animal roleplayers, rubber fetishists, and Many others.

Functions and relationships in BDSM will often be characterized by the members' taking on roles that happen to be complementary and include inequality of ability; Hence, the thought of knowledgeable consent of both of those the companions is critical. The phrases submissive and dominant will often be employed to differentiate these roles: the dominant companion ("dom") usually takes psychological Handle about the submissive ("sub"). The terms top rated and base may also be made use of; the top is definitely the instigator of an action though the bottom would be the receiver of your action. The two sets of phrases are subtly distinctive: as an example, another person may elect to work as base to another individual, by way of example, by being whipped, purely recreationally, without any implication of getting psychologically dominated, and submissives can be purchased to massage their dominant partners. Although the bottom carries out the motion and the highest gets it, they may have not necessarily switched roles.

The abbreviations sub and dom are often utilised in place of submissive and dominant. Sometimes the female-particular terms mistress, domme, and dominatrix are employed to describe a dominant lady, as an alternative to the from time to time gender-neutral time period dom. People who improve between leading/dominant and bottom/submissive roles—no matter whether from romance to marriage or inside of a specified relationship—are called switches. The precise definition of roles and self-identification is a standard issue of discussion between BDSM members.