BDSM is a number of typically erotic techniques or roleplaying involving bondage, willpower, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and other associated interpersonal dynamics. Given the wide range of practices, some of which can be engaged in by individuals who don't think about themselves to generally be practising BDSM, inclusion during the BDSM Group or subculture typically is claimed to rely on self-identification and shared expertise.

The initialism BDSM is initial recorded in a Usenet write-up 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 applied being a catch-all phrase masking a wide array of routines, forms 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, entire body modification fanatics, animal roleplayers, rubber fetishists, and others.

Pursuits and relationships in BDSM will often be characterized via the individuals' taking over roles which might be complementary and involve inequality of electric power; Hence, the thought of informed consent of both equally the partners is vital. The terms submissive and dominant in many cases are utilized to tell apart these roles: the dominant partner ("dom") can take psychological control in excess of the submissive ("sub"). The conditions best and base can also be utilised; the top may be the instigator of the motion although The underside is the receiver in the motion. The 2 sets of terms are subtly distinct: one example is, someone may possibly prefer to work as bottom to another man or woman, such as, by becoming whipped, purely recreationally, with no implication of currently being psychologically dominated, and submissives may be ordered to massage their dominant companions. Although the base carries out the motion and the best gets it, they've not always switched roles.

The abbreviations sub and dom are usually applied instead of submissive and dominant. Occasionally the female-distinct phrases mistress, domme, and dominatrix are applied to explain a dominant girl, in lieu of the in some cases gender-neutral term dom. People who change in between leading/dominant and bottom/submissive roles—no matter whether from romance to romance or in just a supplied marriage—are termed switches. The specific definition of roles and self-identification is a typical subject matter of debate amongst BDSM individuals.