BDSM is a variety of frequently erotic procedures or roleplaying involving bondage, self-control, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and other associated interpersonal dynamics. Offered the wide range of practices, some 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 expertise.

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 covering a variety of pursuits, types of interpersonal relationships, and distinctive subcultures. BDSM communities typically welcome anybody with a non-normative streak who identifies Along with the Neighborhood; this may involve 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 informed consent of both of those the partners is critical. The terms submissive and dominant in many cases are utilized to differentiate these roles: the dominant companion ("dom") can take psychological Manage about the submissive ("sub"). The terms top rated and bottom will also be made use of; the very best could be the instigator of an action when The underside may be the receiver of your action. The two sets of phrases are subtly distinctive: as an example, another person may 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 massage their dominant partners. Although the bottom carries out the action and the highest gets it, they have got not essentially switched roles.

The abbreviations sub and dom are often employed 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 an alternative to the often gender-neutral time period dom. People who improve concerning top/dominant and bottom/submissive roles—whether or not from connection to romantic relationship or in just a supplied romance—are termed switches. The specific definition of roles and self-identification is a typical subject matter of debate amid BDSM individuals.