BDSM is many different generally erotic tactics or roleplaying involving bondage, willpower, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, along with other linked interpersonal dynamics. Supplied the big selection of tactics, several of which can be engaged in by folks who never take into consideration them selves being practising BDSM, inclusion within the BDSM community or subculture often is alleged to rely upon self-identification and shared working experience.

The initialism BDSM is initially recorded in a very Usenet article from 1991, which is interpreted as a combination of the abbreviations B/D (Bondage and Discipline), D/s (Dominance and submission), and S/M (Sadism and Masochism). BDSM has become utilised like a catch-all phrase masking a wide array of routines, types of interpersonal interactions, and unique subcultures. BDSM communities typically welcome anybody which has a non-normative streak who identifies Along with the Neighborhood; this may involve cross-dressers, human body modification enthusiasts, animal roleplayers, rubber fetishists, and Many others.

Pursuits and relationships in BDSM will often be characterized via the members' taking over roles which might be complementary and involve inequality of electric power; Hence, the thought of knowledgeable consent of both of those the partners is critical. The terms submissive and dominant will often be employed to differentiate these roles: the dominant companion ("dom") usually takes psychological Handle around the submissive ("sub"). The terms top rated and base may also be made use of; the very best could be the instigator of an action when the bottom may be the receiver with the action. The two sets of phrases are subtly distinctive: for instance, another person may elect to work as base to a different individual, by way of example, by remaining whipped, purely recreationally, without any implication of getting psychologically dominated, and submissives can be ordered 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 regularly applied in lieu of submissive and dominant. Occasionally the female-certain phrases mistress, domme, and dominatrix are utilised to explain a dominant lady, in place of the sometimes gender-neutral phrase dom. Individuals who modify among top rated/dominant and base/submissive roles—no matter if from romantic relationship to marriage or within a presented marriage—are referred to as switches. The exact definition of roles and self-identification is a standard subject of debate between BDSM individuals.