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BDSM
Introduction to BDSM
Fusing sexuality and psychology, "BDSM" encompasses a large landscape of acts, interactions, and lifestyles
Bondage - Dominance / Discipline - Submission / Sadism - Masochism
It is hard to pin down an exact time in history the pleasurable form of BDSM "started" as historical evidence is scarce or misleading.
While it is definitely true that power and pain were part of sexual practices of human beings far back through time, those practices most often lacked the modern requirement of consent. Much of what little information we have on historical accounts of BDSM are rooted in religious ceremonies, criminal punishment, slavery, and cultural misogyny. Even the terms Sadism and Masochism were not coined until about 1894. Modern BDSM as we know it did not really begin to develop until the early to mid 1900's. It has since evolved with consent as a critical foundational piece, layering in practices that historically lacked such agency. ​​​​
To know BDSM (and sex) is to know what it is to be human
Sexuality in humans is more than a simple reproductive act and harnesses the power of the body and the mind. Sex engages parts of brain like the hypothalamus, amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex cingulate cortex, and prefrontal cortex which handle such brainy things as emotions, reward systems, and memory. This means sex
often taps into a tangled web of emotions and psychological needs beyond the literal physical sensations and racing pulse.​​​​
BDSM taps and targets the same components as sex. In fact, done right, it can even target some of these better than standard sexual activity. Instead of using erogenous zones, BDSM uses exchanges of power and physical sensation adjustments. The recipient, or bottom, gives in to complete vulnerability and trust. The giver, or top, inhabits a role of great care and responsibility for the bottom. These exchanges are further enhanced by limiting or heightening our bodily sensations or experiences.​​​
Participants engage in BDSM through a huge range of practices and activities.
One person may enjoy being flogged, losing themselves in the pleasing sting of the whip. Another may want to be bound and gagged while being forcibly orgasmed with a vibrator. Yet another may like commanding their partner to follow their orders at the end of a leash and collar. BDSM often involves particular equipment and clothing, or even nothing at all. Many enthusiastic practitioners engage in full immersion into a BDSM lifestyle, community, or one type of interpersonal interaction. However, there is no participation level requirement. If you have ever used a pair of cuffs or a blindfold, congratulations, you enjoyed some BDSM! ​​​​
​While BDSM often involves sexual stimulation, it is not required. Because of the similar foundations many people find pleasure through BDSM even if it does not incorporate direct erogenous stimulation. For those that do, Sexual play and BDSM play blend perfectly. This is evidenced by the integration of phrases like Safe, Sane, and Consensual, or acronyms like RACK (Risk Aware Consensual Kink), into the contemporary sexual health conversation.
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