BDSM is many different frequently erotic techniques or roleplaying involving bondage, self-control, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and various related interpersonal dynamics. Given the wide range of practices, many of which can be engaged in by people who don't think about themselves to generally be practising BDSM, inclusion during the BDSM Group or subculture generally is claimed to rely on self-identification and shared knowledge.

The initialism BDSM is very first 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 any person with a non-normative streak who identifies While using the Local community; this may involve cross-dressers, human body modification enthusiasts, animal roleplayers, rubber fetishists, and Many others.

Pursuits and relationships in BDSM are often characterised from the contributors' taking on roles which have been complementary and entail inequality of power; Consequently, the idea of knowledgeable consent of both the companions is essential. The phrases submissive and dominant are often utilised to distinguish these roles: the dominant associate ("dom") takes psychological Handle around the submissive ("sub"). The terms top rated and bottom will also be used; the very best could be the instigator of an action when The underside may be the receiver with the motion. The two sets of phrases are subtly unique: for example, an individual may perhaps decide to act as base to a different person, as an example, by currently being whipped, purely recreationally, with none implication of being psychologically dominated, and submissives could be requested to therapeutic massage their dominant associates. Even though 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 routinely used as opposed 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 base/submissive roles—no matter whether from romance to romance or inside of a specified marriage—are termed switches. The specific definition of roles and self-identification is a standard subject matter of discussion amid BDSM individuals.