Our sexual habits are changing, and we are constantly questioning the boundaries of what is “sexually normal.” One of the things that could encourage your to improve your sex life and explore your limits is science! Yep, you read it here first: BDSM is healthy! Numerous studies have debunked the previous misconceptions of BDSM being wrong or abusive. They actually proved that it has tons of benefits for your body, mind, and relationship!
Check here the 10 misconceptions of BDSM from elitedaily.com.
The Perception of BDSM
Our sexuality has evolved in recent years, and society has come to accept some sexual disciplines that used to be considered major taboos. However, as we’ve seen from the massive popularity of Fifty Shades of Grey, the world of taboo sex is quickly seeping into the mainstream. Yet, many people still believe that BDSM is inappropriate. That could be due to some misconceptions regarding its core values.
Overall, BDSM stands for bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, and masochism. It’s an umbrella term that encompasses multiple fetishes, relationship dynamics, and the BDSM community. Moreover, all of its activities are founded on consent.
When acting within sane, safe, and consensual boundaries, acts like role play or receiving or inflicting pain become a healthy form of sexual expression. BDSM allows people to break the chains of their sexual limitations. It enables them to reach new heights of mental and physical satisfaction. Additionally, couples and singles who practice it in a safe and consensual manner can deepen their emotional and physical relationship.
People Are Starting to Shift Towards the Idea
People Are Starting to Shift Towards the IdeaWhether it’s due to pop culture, Hollywood, or porn, people are generally becoming more open to BDSM. In the past, the media and mental health experts have constantly condemned kinksters. But after years of research, science has proven otherwise.
In fact, many studies and sex experts have shown that BDSM allows us to tap into our deeper consciousness. It enables us to explore the notions of control, power, pain, and pleasure. With BDSM, we can experience them in ways that are simply not possible through vanilla sex.
Furthermore, researchers have not been able to find a link between BDSM and mental instability. Instead, countless studies have proven the exact opposite! Most of them agree that BDSM is one of the healthiest ways in which we explore our sexual fantasies.
Could that be the reason why so many people are fantasizing about being dominated or dominating someone? According to data from 2015, nearly 60% of men and 50% of women fantasize about dominating someone in bed. Plus, approximately 55% of men and 65% of women fantasize about being dominated.
The Benefits of BDSM
But how exactly can BDSM benefit you? It might come as a surprise, but flogging your partner, becoming their anal slave, or even locking up your genitals in a chastity cage can actually reduce stress. It can also boost your mental health, deepen your relationship, and improve your communication!
Reduced Stress Levels
Science shows that BDSM practices act as biological triggers. By engaging in sadism, masochism, or similar disciplines, you can reach a zen-like state. This is similar to a “runner’s high.”
Generally, BDSM can lower your cortisol levels. It can also release endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. When triggered through BDSM activities, all of those pleasure hormones create a chemical rush unlike any other. Plus, certain activities like bondage and impact play can raise your fear levels during play. When this happens, you experience a rush of oxytocin and adrenaline. All of that can trigger numerous regions of the brain. It leads to increased tranquility after a powerful orgasm. Ultimately, BDSM reduces psychological stress and puts you in a meditative state.
Better Communication Skills
Not all couples are willing to openly discuss their sex lives and fantasies. However, for BDSM lovers, communication is a requirement. Before engaging in BDSM relationships or acts, kinksters have to reach some sort of agreement. They need to ensure the safety of both sides. Moreover, they have to establish consent, discuss their desires, limits, safety issues, safe words, etc.
Many experts believe that these types of discussions are highly productive. In fact, some studies have proven that BDSM fans exhibit better communication skills. Plus, they have a deeper knowledge of sex education compared to non-practitioners. By planning out various scenes and fantasies, you and your partner could improve your sense of negotiation, compromise, and assertiveness. Additionally, you could gain an in-depth perspective into your partner’s vulnerabilities. According to sex experts, those traits are directly responsible for forming the basis of successful relationships.
Speaking of relationships, it’s essential to note that BDSM usually stays within a couple’s bedroom or sex dungeon. That is, the roles that people take on during BDSM do not reflect the power roles in daily relationship dynamics.
Deepens Trust
Obviously, talking about BDSM and experimenting with it requires a high level of trust. Apart from improving your communication skills, BDSM can also deepen your bond with your partner.
According to relationship experts, practicing BDSM is an incredibly intense experience that increases intimacy and trust. It all starts from the initial conversation that couples have about their fantasies and boundaries. Then, couples can map out various BDSM scenes that fit their preferences and rules. Also, couples constantly have to navigate their boundaries and comfort levels.
It might be easy to do that on your own, but it takes a lot of work to pull it off with a partner. As a result, BDSM gives you a greater sense of trust. In turn, this improves intimacy. It can also lower the risks of infidelity in long-term relationships.
Improves Mental Health
Lastly, a study from ISSM has shown that BDSM actually improves your mental wellbeing. This is the complete opposite of previous notions that describe kinksters as “mentally damaged.” The study found that BDSM practitioners scored much better on a variety of mental health indicators compared to non-kinksters.
According to the results, kinksters are more well-adjusted. They have a greater sense of self. Even better, they have a broader view of sex and are much more open to experimentation. Plus, the study found that kinksters were way more attentive to others and much less sensitive to the way others perceive them. Interestingly, the study shows us that all of those positive traits correlate with the known benefits of BDSM.
Final Thoughts
BDSM is not for everyone, but you’ll never know for sure until you act on your fantasies. It could reinvent your sex life while providing you with other profound benefits! Have fun!