If you are concerned about applying certain sexual practices that imply domination through restraints, handcuffs and other methods of submission, you can get rid of the complexes.
A study has provided a classification of bondage or BDSM different from any that has been done before: leisure activity, comparable to practicing golf , with innumerable benefits for the mental health of those who practice it, as long as it is carried out with full consent and in a climate of affection and respect between both participants.
These are the conclusions of a study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine , which aimed to explore the characteristics of this sexual practice as a mere leisure activity and not as a sexual paraphilia and to eliminate stigmata, in contrast to traditional psychopathological explanations.
The authors of the study, from Idaho State University, concluded that the sensations provoked by the wide range of practices and motivations of BDSM, such as binding, dominating, humiliating and sadomasochism , report positive emotions such as personal freedom, sense of self. adventure, stress reduction and even personal skill development. Emotions comparable to those of a recreational activity such as golf.
The study was conducted as follows: a sample of more than nine hundred participants responded to a survey evaluating the BDSM experience according to the attributes that are often used to evaluate recreational and leisure activities.
The responses also evaluated and statistically compared the roles of participation in BDSM (dominant and submissive).
Participants reported the following:
- Sense of personal freedom (89.7% of the participants)
- Pleasure or enjoyment (98.5%)
- Sense of Adventure (90.7%)
- Use of personal skills (90.8%)
- Relaxation or decrease in stress (91.4%)
- Self-expression or self-exploration (90.6%)
- Positive emotions (96.6%)
“Our findings overwhelmingly show that BDSM fits the properties of the common leisure experience, similar to people who enjoy golf, swimming and cultural events,” said Dr. Williams.
Removing the stigma
Previous studies have already suggested the recreational nature of BDSM, but none so far have been empirically tested.
” Historically, BDSM had been understood from a psychopathological perspective ,” wrote lead author Dr. DJ Williams in a previous study published in the Journal of Positive Sexuality.
However, this research showed that many people not only view BDSM as a sexual interaction, but even as a means of forming intimate relationships.
Now, the new study has allowed a reclassification, which was necessary and important, since if BDSM is understood and recognized as a legitimate leisure experience , with important personal benefits, similar to skiing, hiking, photography or painting, the stigma associated with so-called “sexual deviations” can be removed.
It is worth mentioning that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, in its most recent edition (DSM-5) does not recognize bondage as sexual paraphilia.
Therefore, BDSM can be understood from now on as a practice with the benefits of any leisure practice, with the added value of the obvious benefits of sex for physical and mental health.
