BDSM is a number of usually erotic procedures or roleplaying involving bondage, self-control, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and other related interpersonal dynamics. Given the wide range of tactics, many of which can be engaged in by individuals that do not consider 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 first recorded inside of a Usenet write-up from 1991, which is interpreted as a combination of the abbreviations B/D (Bondage and Discipline), D/s (Dominance and submission), and S/M (Sadism and Masochism). BDSM is now made use of for a catch-all phrase masking a wide array of routines, types of interpersonal interactions, and unique subcultures. BDSM communities usually welcome anyone that has a non-normative streak who identifies Together with the community; this could incorporate cross-dressers, physique modification fans, animal roleplayers, rubber fetishists, and Other folks.

Actions and interactions in BDSM are sometimes characterized because of the participants' taking over roles which can be complementary and contain inequality of electricity; Therefore, the concept of informed consent of equally the partners is important. The terms submissive and dominant are sometimes used to tell apart these roles: the dominant husband or wife ("dom") usually takes psychological Handle around the submissive ("sub"). The terms top rated and base may also be made use of; the very best could be the instigator of an action when The underside may be the receiver with the action. The two sets of phrases are subtly unique: for example, a person may perhaps choose to act as bottom to a different human being, for instance, by currently being whipped, purely recreationally, with none implication of being psychologically dominated, and submissives could be requested to therapeutic massage their dominant associates. Even though the bottom carries out the action and the very best receives it, they've got not automatically switched roles.

The abbreviations sub and dom are routinely utilized as opposed to submissive and dominant. Often the feminine-unique conditions mistress, domme, and dominatrix are used to describe a dominant woman, rather than the at times gender-neutral expression dom. Individuals who adjust involving major/dominant and base/submissive roles—whether from partnership to connection or in a provided romantic relationship—are named switches. The exact definition of roles and self-identification is a typical topic of debate amongst BDSM participants.