BDSM is a number of typically erotic techniques or roleplaying involving bondage, self-control, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and other related 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 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 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 which has a non-normative streak who identifies Along with the Neighborhood; this may include things like cross-dressers, entire 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; Therefore, the thought 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") can take psychological Manage about the submissive ("sub"). The terms prime and base can also be applied; the top would be the instigator of the action even though The underside will be the receiver with the motion. The two sets of phrases are subtly unique: for example, an individual may perhaps choose to act as bottom to a different individual, such as, by staying whipped, purely recreationally, without any implication of currently being psychologically dominated, and submissives may be requested to massage their dominant companions. Although the base carries out the motion and the best gets it, they have not always switched roles.

The abbreviations sub and dom are usually applied in lieu of submissive and dominant. Sometimes the female-certain phrases mistress, domme, and dominatrix are utilised to explain a dominant girl, in place of the in some cases gender-neutral time period dom. People who change in between best/dominant and bottom/submissive roles—no matter whether from romance to marriage or inside of a given relationship—are known as switches. The precise definition of roles and self-identification is a standard issue of discussion between BDSM contributors.