BDSM is a range of frequently erotic methods or roleplaying involving bondage, self-discipline, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, together with other similar interpersonal dynamics. Specified the big selection of tactics, many of which can be engaged in by individuals that do not consider themselves to generally be practising BDSM, inclusion during the BDSM Group or subculture generally is claimed to depend upon self-identification and shared knowledge.

The initialism BDSM is very first recorded inside a Usenet publish from 1991, and is 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 utilized as a capture-all phrase covering a wide range of things to do, sorts of interpersonal relationships, and distinct subcultures. BDSM communities typically welcome any individual which has a non-normative streak who identifies While using the Local community; this will include cross-dressers, overall body modification fanatics, animal roleplayers, rubber fetishists, and Other people.

Things to do and associations in BDSM tend to be characterised through the participants' taking up roles which are complementary and contain inequality of electricity; thus, the concept of informed consent of both equally the partners is vital. The terms submissive and dominant in many cases are utilized to differentiate these roles: the dominant companion ("dom") usually takes psychological Handle around the submissive ("sub"). The terms top rated and bottom will also be used; the highest is the instigator of an motion though the bottom could be the receiver of the action. The 2 sets of conditions are subtly various: one example is, someone could prefer to work as bottom to another man or woman, for example, by getting whipped, purely recreationally, with no implication of remaining psychologically dominated, and submissives might be requested to therapeutic massage their dominant associates. Even though the bottom carries out the action 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-certain phrases mistress, domme, and dominatrix are utilised to explain a dominant girl, in lieu of the sometimes gender-neutral term dom. Individuals who alter among best/dominant and bottom/submissive roles—no matter if from marriage to relationship or within a offered partnership—are referred to as switches. The precise definition of roles and self-identification is a common topic of debate amid BDSM contributors.