BDSM is a variety of usually erotic techniques or roleplaying involving bondage, self-control, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and other associated interpersonal dynamics. Offered the wide range of practices, many of which can be engaged in by individuals that do not consider them selves to generally be practising BDSM, inclusion during the BDSM Local community or subculture typically is claimed 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-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 variety of pursuits, types of interpersonal relationships, and unique subcultures. BDSM communities typically welcome anybody which has a non-normative streak who identifies Along with the Neighborhood; this may include things like cross-dressers, human body modification enthusiasts, animal roleplayers, rubber fetishists, and Many others.

Pursuits and relationships in BDSM in many cases are characterized via the individuals' taking over roles which might be complementary and involve inequality of electric power; Hence, the thought of knowledgeable consent of each the associates is crucial. The phrases submissive and dominant tend to be applied to distinguish these roles: the dominant associate ("dom") takes psychological Management over the submissive ("sub"). The phrases major and bottom also are used; the highest is definitely the instigator of an motion though the bottom would be the receiver of your action. The two sets of phrases are subtly different: as an example, anyone might elect to work as base to a different individual, by way of example, by remaining whipped, purely recreationally, without any implication of getting psychologically dominated, and submissives can be purchased to therapeutic massage their dominant partners. Although the bottom carries out the action and the very best gets it, they have got not essentially switched roles.

The abbreviations sub and dom are frequently utilized as an alternative to submissive and dominant. In some cases the feminine-specific terms mistress, domme, and dominatrix are utilized to describe a dominant lady, as opposed to the often gender-neutral expression dom. People who transform concerning top/dominant and base/submissive roles—regardless of whether from romantic relationship to romance or in just a specified marriage—are termed switches. The specific definition of roles and self-identification is a standard subject matter of discussion amid BDSM members.