BDSM is various generally erotic tactics or roleplaying involving bondage, discipline, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, along with other connected interpersonal dynamics. Provided the wide selection of methods, a few of which may be engaged in by individuals who usually do not contemplate themselves to be practising BDSM, inclusion in the BDSM Group or subculture normally is alleged to depend upon self-identification and shared practical experience.

The initialism BDSM is 1st recorded in the Usenet submit from 1991, and it is interpreted as a combination 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 associations, and distinct subcultures. BDSM communities frequently welcome any individual using a non-normative streak who identifies Using the Neighborhood; this could include things like cross-dressers, entire body modification enthusiasts, animal roleplayers, rubber fetishists, and Some others.

Routines and interactions 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 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 prime and base can also be applied; the top would be the instigator of the action even though The underside will be the receiver on the motion. The two sets of terms are subtly diverse: for example, a person may perhaps choose to act as bottom to a different human being, for instance, by currently being whipped, purely recreationally, with none implication of being psychologically dominated, and submissives could be requested to therapeutic massage their dominant associates. Although the bottom carries out the action and the very best receives it, they have got not essentially switched roles.

The abbreviations sub and dom are frequently utilized as an alternative to submissive and dominant. From time to time the feminine-specific terms mistress, domme, and dominatrix are utilized to describe a dominant lady, as opposed to the often gender-neutral expression dom. People who transform concerning top/dominant and bottom/submissive roles—regardless of whether from romantic relationship to romance or in just a supplied marriage—are termed switches. The specific definition of roles and self-identification is a standard subject matter of discussion between BDSM members.