What is BDSM in sex — the opinion of scientists and psychologists
Italian scientists conducted a study of 266 compatriots who prefer bondage, submission and sadomasochism in their sexual behavior. Men and women aged from 18 to 74 years were interviewed. Another 200 people without clear sexual preferences took part in the study.
The results showed that participants in both groups had the same understanding of the meaning of the word “pleasure.” However, lovers of sex with a twist are more satisfied and do not suffer from erotic rigidity. Similar studies were conducted to eliminate prejudices associated with BDSM from society.
How popular is BDSM?
In 2015, researchers from Indiana University surveyed 2, 021 Americans about their experiences with BDSM. Results include.
- Ass spanking is practiced — 30%;
- 22% prefer the master/servant game — 30%;
- Bondage is practiced — 20%;
- Whiplash pain was corrected — 13%.
In 2017, a similar survey was conducted among 1, 027 Belgian residents.
- 47% have tried BDSM.
- 15% exercise regularly.
- 8% think they like these types of games.
In fantasy, BDSM is even more popular. 69% of Belgian survey respondents believe that sex games are still difficult.
What”s wrong with 50 Shades of Gray? __50
In 2011, a sensational novel by the British writer E.-L. James. 50 Shades of Gray and subsequent books follow the relationship between a rich, attractive dominant and a naive “submissive” who grows from a timid virgin to a passionate fan of all forms of BDSM.
By 2019, the novel had been translated into 50 languages. 150 billion copies were sold. This is a record figure for such a short period of time. Revenues from the three-part film adaptation amounted to $1 billion. After the film”s release, home improvement retailers saw an unprecedented increase in sales of ropes and belts.
The authors of the book made an unacceptable mistake by presenting the main character, who loves BDSM, as a victim of sexual abuse in his youth. In fact, few who enjoy this form of pleasure have experienced childhood sexual trauma.
To its credit, some points in the book are explained very plausibly.
- Contract. Before the start of the game, the main character and Anastasia discussed all the rules in great detail.
- Negotiations. Before agreeing, the heroine expressed objections and made her amendments.
- Limitations. The partners established tolerances that everyone had to respect and respect.
- Safe word. Gray gives Miss Steele the right to stop the “game” at any time. One word “servants” and domination ceases wherever he goes. This is the ultimate irony of BDMS. The situation is under the control of subordinates.
- Proximity. Ms. Steele was very surprised by how physically liberated her partner was during the game and how closed they were to each other in real life. BDSM enthusiasts argue that, ironically, intimacy turns sex into a perversion.
Is BDSM a disease?
Most studies show that people who practice BDSM do not suffer from any specific mental disorder. Their tendencies are also not related to physical illness.
How do they become lovers? Sexual compatibility. Psychology of BDSM. Mistress.
- Experts in Los Angeles conducted psychological tests on hundreds of BDSM lovers and found no abnormalities.
- In Australia, a survey was conducted among 19, 370 residents of the country. Of these, 2. 2% of men and 1. 3% of women engage in BDSM. None of them had a history of mental illness or sexual abuse since childhood.
- Scientists from the University of Illinois took saliva samples from 58 BDSM fans and checked their levels of cortisol (the stress hormone). After the “game” the level of hormones decreased significantly. This proves that for BDSM lovers it is a way to relax and relieve tension.
- Dutch scientists conducted a study identifying the characteristics of 902 BDSM fans and 403 ordinary people. Both groups had the same percentage of mentally healthy people. However, people who love “enthusiasm” are less irritable, more conscientious, frank, open to new things and calm about rejection.
- In general, they give the impression of wealthy people. Dominants were the most mentally healthy people, followed by “submissives” (those who submit). In last place were lovers of traditional (“vanilla”) sex.
- Researchers at the University of Idaho asked supporters what BDSM meant to them. 90% said that such sex is personal freedom, 91% is an adventure, 91% is a way to relieve stress, 97% is a positive emotion and 99% is pleasure.
The vast majority of BDSM fans are ordinary people living in their own neighborhoods. There is nothing “unhealthy” about their tendencies. The only thing they don”t like is boring “vanilla” sex. They want more.
Diagnosis: healthy!
It is not known exactly when BDSM first appeared. Similar images have been found in Ancient Greece. In 1905, Sigmund Freud identified sadomasochism as a sign of a serious neurological disorder. For more than 100 years, scientists agreed with him.
The first 1952 edition of the American Psychiatric Association”s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the bible of mental disorders) classified sexual sadism as a “deviance.” In the second edition in 1968, masochism was called a pathology. The fourth, in 1994, classifies BDSM as a mental disorder.
In 2013, based on hundreds of studies conducted in the 21st century, the fifth edition of the manual does not consider BDSM to be a disease. Involvement in role-playing games is considered a normal way of obtaining pleasure for healthy people from a physiological point of view.
If you still have doubts, you need to turn to spontaneous asphyxia — an unusual and dangerous hobby that significantly enhances all senses. This is covered in the next article.
