The ABC of BDSM

Abuse -Treating another person with physical or mental cruelty, usually on a regular basis and against their will. A fundamental difference between BDSM and abuse is that the former is consensual but the latter isn't.

Aftershock - After a long session or play, some submissives may experience effects from their body being used in shock from the pain. (trembling, feeling of cold)

Asphyxiation - Asphyxiation is the unconsciousness and ultimately death which happens when the supply of oxygen to your brain is cut off. This can happen in auto-erotic strangulation or other breath-control play.

Ball gag - Toy used in BDSM play to prevent a sub from speaking. Mouth pieces are usually made from a rubber ball that is jammed between a submissive teeth and secure in place by a strap or a little string. Could be made of plastic or leather too.

BD - Refer to Bondage and Discipline play (see Bondage)

BDSM - Name of a lifestyle shared by many people. The word BDSM is a combination of 3 acronyms, BD for Bondage Discipline, DS for Domination and Submission and SM for Sado Masochistic. Considered either like a grave deviance or a and healthy sexual game/orientation by the medical institutions, people who share this lifestyle believe in having a relationship where one of the people by mutually agreed upon consent is in a position of power/domination (DS) often by using means of bondage discipline (BD) and Sado masochistic (SM) over the other person in this relationship. This relationship could be for a brief moment (a play) or for a longer period of time (permanent relationship)

Blood Play - Type of play which involves blood. Considered a fetish.

Bondage - Type of play which uses restraints which could include handcuffs, ropes, shackles etc. Considered a fetish.

Bottom - In a BDSM relationship, the "Bottom" is the same as a the "submissive" In some more specialized relationships, the "bottom" is the one who gives up control (For instance, in a pure Sado Masochistic relationship without Domination Submission or Bondage Discipline, the one who receives the pain is the bottom)

Brown Play - See Scat