The dominant person is sometimes referred to as the Dominant, Master, or Top.
The submissive person is called the Submissive, Slave, or Bottom.
Important
Both partnersmust consent to dominant-submissive roleplay; this makes BDSM entirely different from sexual assault.
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This helps ensure that neither party’ssexual boundariesare violated.
check that you know how to use any clothing, gear, or toys you plan to try safely.
Take a class or watch some instructional videos to learn how to engage in BDSM practices safely.
If you do decide to engage in BDSM, implement the following practices.
Consent
Consentfrom both parties is critical when engaging in BDSM practices.
Implied consent isn’t enough.
To ensure that consent exists, talk with your partner before engaging in BDSM.
Discuss what each of you would enjoy sexually, also sharing your limits or boundaries.
This helps ensure that you both have a positive experience within your individual comfort zones.
By negotiating this in advance, you’ll both know what to expect during the experience.
Set your safe word in advance and share it with your partner.
If either of you says your safe word during BDSM, all actions are to end immediately.
Green-Yellow-Red System
Some BDSM partners choose to follow a green-yellow-red system.
Some practices can be dangerous and lead to injury without taking proper precautions.
Researchers have found that these practices may offer a number ofhealth benefits.
It is commonly known these activities can benefit health by helping lower our levels of the hormonecortisol.
Participation in BDSM may have the same effects.
Researchers have also found that some participants regard BDSM as aspiritual experience.
This has been supported by looking at how the brain responds when doing something new.
Tips for Practicing BDSM
The world of BDSM has its own distinct subcultures and terminology.
It can be intimidating for beginners, but there are some tips and tricks that may help you explore.
BDSM in the Media
Mainstream culture often represents BDSM as reckless, dangerous, and unhealthy.
TakeFifty Shades of Grey, for instance.
Christian Greys reasons for enjoying kink stems from hischildhood abuse.
Television crime dramas often portray fetishists as seedy, unethical lawbreakers.
It isn’t just the media that frames BDSM this way.
Attitudes about kinky sex have shifted.
Pop culture didnt make kink the latest fad, however.
Humans have always had a penchant for adventurous sex.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Tying It All Together
BDSM is a common sexual practice, but it’s not for everyone.
Lieberman H.Desexing the Kinsey Institute.The New York Review.
