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All Your BDSM Questions, Answered

With all of the hype around Fifty Shades of Grey, I'm guessing you probably have more than a few questions about BDSM. You're in luck, since BuzzFeed asked a dominatrix all of your burning inquiries about the subject and got you the scoop on what the practice is really like. Here are some of the basics.

What is BDSM?

Obviously an acronym, it stands for bondage, discipline, and sadomasochism. It really is a catch-all phrase for power-play in sex. As Master Eragon, a professional dominant, says in the video, "It's the mental and physical aspects of being told to do something."

Is it painful?

Despite what you may read about in books or see on TV screens, BDSM actually doesn't have to involve pain at all. It's all about what the people involved are comfortable with. BDSM should also not involve violence and isn't synonymous with abuse. "It should be something that allows you to be creative and play," says the dominatrix Hudsy Hawn.

How do you know if you're kinky?

There's no formula you can use to know whether or not you would enjoy BDSM, but you can look for clue's in your desires and sex life that could be indicators. If vanilla sex doesn't really excite you, you're looking to explore new things, or you find yourself turned on by something unusual, you might be a good candidate according to Hawn.

If you want to learn more about BDSM, check out the video below.