Masochist
A masochist is a person who enjoys experiencing mental or physical suffering. Masochists frequently use this pain to achieve sexual fulfillment. Masochism is represented by the letter "M" in BDSM; various BDSM plays often use this kind of power and suffering dynamic. It is also an element of the term "sadomasochism," which describes the practice of both giving and experiencing pain during intercourse.
A dominant partner, usually a sadist, may inflict pain on a masochist, or the masochist may inflict suffering on themselves. Masochists may take pleasure in experiencing bodily pain, such as when they are choked, slapped, whipped, or have their nipples clamped. Masochists, however, tend to have specific preferences, and not all of them like the same kinds of play. Masochists can also take pleasure in humiliation in several ways, including being urinated or defecated on or made to pretend to be a maid, an animal, or another subservient or degrading role.
The Austrian author Leopold von Sacher-Masoch (1836–1895), whose books featured masochistic fantasies, is the source of the term "masochist." In his book "Psychopathia Sexualis," German psychiatrist Richard von Krafft Ebbing first used the term, which also included sadism, the antithesis of masochism. The term sadomasochism was created by Krafft Ebing's contemporary, Sigmund Freud, who observed that many masochists were also sadists. Additionally, both men established what was seen as a medical explanation for the behavior. Because it primarily pathologizes what is frequently acceptable sexual conduct that is not harmful despite being less common, BDSM activists would later reject this work.
Since then, the mental health field has changed its viewpoint. According to the American Psychiatric Association, "the majority of individuals who have unusual sexual preferences do not suffer from mental illnesses."
More About Masochist
There are several explanations for why pain arouses masochists. They consist of:
- The burst of endorphins or adrenaline
- The feeling of pushing oneself or one's bounds
- Catharsis
Even though masochists enjoy suffering, sex play may be escalated to a level that the masochist finds uncomfortable. The protection of participants' physical and emotional limits depends on dialogue, deliberate negotiation, and complete and continuous permission, as in all types of BDSM. The scene should always be stopped at any moment by deciding on a safeword. Other safety precautions depend on the kind of play being played. It is a good idea for those who are new to BDSM to learn about the safest approach to administering or receiving pain and to educate themselves on the kind of pain they wish to cause or experience.
