BD refers to Bondage and Discipline. DS refers to Dominance and Submission. SM refers to Sadism and Masochism. It can involve sex, but this is not predominantly the main factor in this lifestyle or community. Many people would consider this world to be one of taboo, humiliation, and degradation. For those in the lifestyle and community, it is the exploration and discovery of one’s sexuality and sexual preferences in a non-traditional sexual manner. It is also a space to explore what others may consider abnormal or wrong, in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
Bondage and Discipline involve using psychological and/or physical restraints. Think back to when you were in school and you had a crush on the hot, sexy teacher in your class. The images of you bending over her table with your exposed buttocks were highly arousing. In the back of your mind, you were probably telling yourself that you would willingly take any punishment from her as long as it was she who inflicted the punishment. For others, the idea of being tied up is hugely arousing. Shibari or rope play for instance, can cut off the blood flow to certain areas of the body, and once the ropes are untied, that sudden rush of blood through the body to those areas can be quite euphoric and give immense physical, and mental release and sexual stimulation.
Dominance and Submission are all about the exchange of power and control. Giving up your will and control to allow another person to do things to you that you would not do in a traditional/conventional relationship. It can be quite intoxicating. This relationship is prevalent in Dominants and people who consider themselves to be submissive or who are willing and want to be in a position of being controlled and dominated. BDSM slaves are people who want a Dominant to make the decisions in their lives and do not want certain responsibilities.
In the case of 24/7 slaves who have been collared this would mean they are in a TPE (Total Power Exchange) relationship with their Master/Mistress. The Dominant in this relationship would be responsible for giving that slave daily tasks and instructions, which the slave would need to perform or carry out. This is a consensual relationship. A submissive or slave that has been collared is someone that has become the property or is under the protection of a Dominant. They may not be approached or played with unless permission has been granted by their Owner/Master/Mistress first.
Collared submissives and slaves will usually wear some form of a collar around their necks, especially at parties and events, as an indication that they belong to someone else. If you are a newcomer and still don’t understand the protocols involved with these types of relationships, it is advisable to approach the Dominant/Master/Mistress first with your intentions and talk to them.
Sadism and Masochism or Sadomasochism refer to taking pleasure in one’s own or another person’s pain/humiliation is concerned. A Sadist is someone who takes pleasure, especially sexual pleasure, in inflicting pain/humiliation on others. A Masochist is someone who enjoys or gets sexual pleasure from receiving pain/humiliation. BDSM activities involving SM can incorporate torture devices or equipment that range from light to very heavy play. This depends on the person giving and the person receiving. Some people have a higher pain threshold than others. For some masochists, the idea of physical pain is not what they are after at all, but engage in activities of humiliation or psychological pain and torture. Consent is given and again, play sessions like these are usually discussed and agreed upon before a session takes place. Other terms related to SM are Top (referring to the Sadist or Dominant), and Bottom (referring to the Masochist or submissive/slave).
BDSM is so much more than just pain. However, the pain factor can and is used as an erotic stimulus. Many people cannot understand that BDSM can be a stress-reducing activity. Situations or play sessions involving Impact Play, when done correctly and on the right muscle groups, can bring great relief to that area of the body. BDSM refers to a wide range of sexual or kinky activities or preferences that relate to the enjoyment of physical control, psychological control, and/or pain.
Pain represents an emotional sensory experience influenced by psychological, contextual, sexual, and social factors. People who have tattoos for example will often describe how painful the procedure is, but will still lay on an artist’s table for hours getting their ink done and will also tell you that after a while, the pain becomes pleasurable and that it often one of the reasons they keep going back. It’s an adrenalin rush. The world of BDSM works in similar ways.
BDSM can and does incorporate many other activities that involve mental, physical, and sexual pleasures. Activities like anal play, sensation play, sensual massage, foot worship, pet play; the list goes on and on; are just the tip of the iceberg. For a description and explanation of the innumerable types of BDSM activities, fetishes, and kinks, click on the following link: https://epicure.club/sexdictionary. Epicure Club is dedicated to educating and informing the public on the many aspects of the alternative lifestyle and community. Do not hesitate to ask questions, especially if you are new to this world. Knowledge is power.
No matter what outsiders may think about the beliefs, behaviors, practices, and activities involved with BDSM, the fundamental and core values are based on respect, trust, and consent. No means no! Play sessions are discussed between those involved and at all times, whilst consent is given, play continues. Forced play is taboo in the BDSM community and is heavily frowned upon.
BDSM activities work on a universally accepted TRAFFIC LIGHT system. Green means continuing with the play session. Orange means to slow down and regroup. Red means stop immediately and all play ceases at that moment. It can resume, based on the discussion and agreement between the play partners. Safe words are words that the person receiving can utter at any time during a play session. The Dominant is aware of this word and will cease all activities at that moment to touch base with their play partner and discuss the session, whether to continue or bring the session to an end.
What is the psychology behind BDSM and the various activities involved? To put it in simple terms, it’s about stimulating the mind and body into reacting in a certain way or releasing endorphins and other pleasure hormones that bring about sexual, mental, and physical relief/pleasure to a person. It involves much more than this simple explanation, but for now, allow this article to be an introduction to a world of wonders, waiting for you to discover and explore.
Stay tuned for future EPICURE articles which will include topics like ‘Consensual Masochism’, ‘Motivation for Masochism’, and adult entertainment in general.
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