BDSM is several different typically erotic techniques or roleplaying involving bondage, willpower, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and other associated interpersonal dynamics. Provided the wide range of methods, a few of which may be engaged in by individuals who don't think about themselves to be practising BDSM, inclusion in the BDSM Group or subculture normally is alleged to rely 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 Willpower), D/s (Dominance and submission), and S/M (Sadism and Masochism). BDSM is currently employed as being a capture-all phrase masking an array of activities, 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 contain cross-dressers, physique modification fans, animal roleplayers, rubber fetishists, and Other folks.

Actions and interactions in BDSM are sometimes characterized because of the individuals' taking over roles which can 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 will often be employed to differentiate these roles: the dominant spouse ("dom") usually takes psychological Handle around the submissive ("sub"). The terms top rated and bottom will also be used; the very best is definitely the instigator of an action though the bottom would be the receiver of the action. The two sets of conditions are subtly different: by way of example, anyone might opt to work as bottom to another particular person, such as, by becoming whipped, purely recreationally, with no implication of staying psychologically dominated, and submissives may be requested to massage their dominant companions. Even though the base carries out the motion and the top receives it, they've got not automatically switched roles.

The abbreviations sub and dom are routinely used as opposed to submissive and dominant. From time to time the feminine-unique conditions mistress, domme, and dominatrix are used to describe a dominant woman, 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 specified marriage—are called switches. The specific definition of roles and self-identification is a standard issue of discussion between BDSM members.