BDSM is several different frequently erotic methods or roleplaying involving bondage, self-control, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and various similar interpersonal dynamics. Specified the wide range of practices, some of which can be engaged in by people who don't contemplate themselves to be practising BDSM, inclusion in the BDSM Group or subculture normally is alleged to depend upon self-identification and shared knowledge.

The initialism BDSM is 1st recorded within a Usenet publish from 1991, and 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 now used to be a capture-all phrase covering a variety of functions, kinds of interpersonal relationships, and distinctive subcultures. BDSM communities normally welcome anybody with a non-normative streak who identifies Along with the Neighborhood; this may include things like 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 include inequality of ability; As a result, the thought of knowledgeable consent of both of those the companions is critical. The terms submissive and dominant will often be employed to differentiate these roles: the dominant companion ("dom") can take psychological Manage about the submissive ("sub"). The terms prime and base may 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 well choose to act as bottom to a different human being, for example, by getting whipped, purely recreationally, with no implication of remaining psychologically dominated, and submissives might be requested to therapeutic massage their dominant associates. Even though the base carries out the action 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. Often the feminine-precise conditions mistress, domme, and dominatrix are made use of to describe a dominant woman, rather than the at times gender-neutral expression dom. People who adjust involving major/dominant and base/submissive roles—whether or not from connection to connection or in a presented romantic relationship—are identified as switches. The exact definition of roles and self-identification is a typical matter of debate amongst BDSM participants.