BDSM is various generally erotic tactics or roleplaying involving bondage, discipline, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, together with other linked interpersonal dynamics. Supplied the big selection of techniques, several of which can be engaged in by folks who will not take into consideration them selves being practising BDSM, inclusion from the BDSM Local community or subculture typically is claimed to rely on self-identification and shared knowledge.

The initialism BDSM is very first recorded within a Usenet submit from 1991, and it 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 an array of actions, varieties of interpersonal associations, and distinct subcultures. BDSM communities generally welcome everyone by using a non-normative streak who identifies With all the community; this will likely incorporate cross-dressers, physique modification fans, animal roleplayers, rubber fetishists, and Other folks.

Actions and interactions in BDSM are sometimes characterized because of the members' taking on roles that happen to be complementary and include inequality of power; As a result, the idea of knowledgeable consent of each the companions is essential. The phrases submissive and dominant tend to be applied to distinguish these roles: the dominant lover ("dom") requires psychological Regulate more than the submissive ("sub"). The phrases top and bottom are employed; the highest will be the instigator of the motion whilst the bottom is definitely the receiver from the motion. The 2 sets of conditions are subtly distinct: one example is, somebody may possibly prefer to act 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 companions. Even though the base carries out the motion and the top receives it, they've not automatically switched roles.

The abbreviations sub and dom are commonly made use of as opposed to submissive and dominant. Often the feminine-unique terms mistress, domme, and dominatrix are utilized to describe a dominant lady, as an alternative to the from time to time gender-neutral time period dom. People who improve between leading/dominant and bottom/submissive roles—no matter whether from romance to romance or inside of a specified relationship—are called switches. The precise definition of roles and self-identification is a standard issue of discussion between BDSM members.