How common is BDSM? Let’s find out how people react to BDSM and if it is psychologically healthy for a relationship.
When people hear about BDSM or kink, the first thing that comes to mind is the sexual practice involving the use of bondage, discipline, sadism, and masochism.
BDSM is often seen as a taboo sexual expression, but BDSM is quite common. According to statistics, 1 in 5 Americans has engaged in BDSM at least once in their lifetime.
Despite its popularity, BDSM is still often misunderstood. Many people see it as a dangerous and abusive form of sexual expression.
However, BDSM can be a healthy and enjoyable form of sexual expression when practiced safely and consensually. If you’re curious about BDSM, plenty of resources are available to help you learn more about this popular sexual practice, which we will analyze in this blog post.
How Popular is BDSM? (Studies & Statistics)
A 2017 survey from Ozy collected data from more than 8,000 Belgians and found interest in being whipped or beaten, sexual use of hot candles, controlling a partner’s breathing, and being raped in roleplaying.
Just 7.6% of the participants said they considered themselves a “BDSM practitioner,” while 12.5% said they regularly engage in such activities, 46.8% have participated in BDSM before, and another 22% have fantasized about it.
A survey from sexandpsychology published in 2017 found some interesting statistics from 2,021 Americans who have practiced BSDM and what they have tried with their partner.
So, let’s have a look at the statistics of this survey:
21% of men and 20% of women report having tied up their partner or been tied up during sex.
16% of men and 13% of women said they had playfully whipped their partners or were playfully whipped during sex games.
29% of men and 34% of women report that they spanked their partner or were spanked by their partner.
4% of men and 2% of women said they have been to a BDSM party or dungeon.
Is BDSM Healthy Psychologically?
There is much debate on whether or not BDSM is psychologically healthy. Some proponents argue that it can be a healthy way to explore one’s sexuality and even help foster trust and intimacy in a relationship.
But is BDSM really healthy psychologically?
The answer is yes. Most of the time, BSDM shows positive signs in psychological health, which means there is nothing strange or unusual in the psychology of most people who practice BDSM or are thinking about it.
However, opponents argue that BDSM can lead to psychological damage, such as anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder.
Some people may find BDSM healthy and empowering, while others may find it damaging. It really depends on the individual and their personal experiences. If you are considering exploring BDSM, it is essential to do your research and to make sure that you are mentally and emotionally prepared for what it includes and what you can get out of it.
A recent study from Pubmed.gov aimed to compare and see how good the psychological health of BDSM practitioners is. For this study, 902 BDSM and 434 control people participated in this test.
The results mainly indicate favorable psychological characteristics of BDSM practitioners compared with the control group. BDSM practitioners were less neurotic, more extroverted, more open to new experiences, and had higher subjective well-being but were less comfortable.
When comparing the two groups, BDSM scores generally favored those with dominant roles over submissive roles, with controls’ scores being the most unfavorable.
Is BDSM a Healthy Relationship?
There are many misconceptions about BDSM, and it is time to get to the bottom of it. The first misconception is that BDSM is abusive. This couldn’t be any farther from the truth. In fact, many people practice BDSM in a healthy way that actually helps them with their mental health problems.
So, is BDSM really healthy for a relationship?
The answer is yes again. There is nothing that proves that BDSM affects the health of a relationship. If it is done properly and safely, there is nothing to worry about for a person who practices BDSM. You can read more in a dedicated post about the benefits of BDSM.
The second misconception is that BDSM is only for the wealthy or those with much money. This couldn’t be more wrong as well. There are plenty of people who practice this lifestyle, and they come from all different backgrounds and socioeconomic classes.
The third misconception about BDSM is that it’s only for heterosexuals or those who identify as straight. Again, this couldn’t be further from the truth because many gay men and lesbians practice this lifestyle, and bisexuals and transgender people, too!
Why Do People Like BDSM?
There are many different reasons why people may be attracted to BDSM. For some, it is a way to explore their own sexuality in a safe and consensual way. For others, it is a way to add excitement and adventure to their sex life. However, for some others, it is a way to let go of control and surrender to their partner.
However, it is generally accepted that BDSM is not for everyone, but for those interested, it can be a fun and rewarding experience.
If you are interested in learning more about BDSM, be sure to do your research and talk to your partner about it first. And how to start? We created a dedicated post to help you, guidance to start the conversation. BDSM should always be consensual, and all parties should feel safe and comfortable with the activities they are engaging in.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we have mentioned some of the most important aspects of BDSM, like how common it is, if it is healthy, and how many people have participated in such activities or just thought about it. As mentioned above, practicing BDSM is more popular than most people believe, and based on studies, even more people have already fantasized about doing BDSM. We hope you found our article helpful and informative if you have any questions feel free to contact us in the comment section below.