BDSM is several different often erotic tactics or roleplaying involving bondage, self-discipline, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and also other associated interpersonal dynamics. Specified the wide selection of techniques, several of which can be engaged in by folks who will not take into consideration them selves being practising BDSM, inclusion from the BDSM Local community or subculture typically is said to rely on self-identification and shared encounter.

The initialism BDSM is initial recorded in a Usenet post from 1991, and is particularly interpreted as a mix of the abbreviations B/D (Bondage and Self-control), D/s (Dominance and submission), and S/M (Sadism and Masochism). BDSM is currently employed as being a capture-all phrase masking an array of actions, varieties of interpersonal interactions, and unique subcultures. BDSM communities usually welcome any one that has a non-normative streak who identifies Together with the community; this could include things like cross-dressers, entire body modification enthusiasts, animal roleplayers, rubber fetishists, and Some others.

Pursuits and relationships in BDSM in many cases are characterized by the members' taking on roles which have been complementary and entail inequality of power; Consequently, the idea of educated consent of equally the companions is important. The phrases submissive and dominant tend to be applied to distinguish these roles: the dominant lover ("dom") requires psychological Regulate more than the submissive ("sub"). The conditions leading and base are also utilised; the best could be the instigator of an action though the bottom would be the receiver of your action. The 2 sets of terms are subtly different: such as, a person may well choose to act as bottom to a different human being, as an example, by staying whipped, purely recreationally, with none implication of becoming psychologically dominated, and submissives could possibly be purchased to therapeutic massage their dominant partners. Although the bottom carries out the action and the highest gets it, they may have not necessarily switched roles.

The abbreviations sub and dom are regularly utilised in lieu of submissive and dominant. Sometimes the female-certain phrases mistress, domme, and dominatrix are utilised to explain a dominant girl, in lieu of the sometimes gender-neutral term dom. Individuals who modify concerning best/dominant and base/submissive roles—whether or not from connection to romantic relationship or in a presented romance—are identified as switches. The specific definition of roles and self-identification is a standard subject matter of discussion amid BDSM members.