What are B&D and Fetishes (and why do people enjoy them)?

Basically speaking, B&D refers to Bondage (being tied up or restrained in some way) and Discipline (where love play revolves around the fantasy and act of being punished or delivering punishments such as spanking). B&D is also sometimes used to refer to Bondage and Dominance - referring to the sexual power play involved in the act of being tied up vs. playing with someone who's tied up (both can be very fun positions to be in!) Bondage and discipline refer to a very broad range of erotic activities and are enjoyed in many ways - some people dabble in B&D to spice up their sex life and for others it is a full-on way of life. Bondage includes activities like tying a lover up with silk scarves or handcuffing them, blindfolding a partner or even gagging a partner. Discipline includes things like spanking, whipping and teasing a lover.

B&D is largely symbolic, that is, the erotic thrill comes from the fantasy and illusion of being dominated or punished rather than any real pain or loss of control. B&D is centred around role-playing - scenarios like the naughty schoolboy and the headmistress, the police officer and the prisoner or the doctor and the patient are a huge turn-on for most of us. B&D is enjoyed by many people because it is visually and sensually appealing, allows people to indulge in darker sexual fantasy safely and because it holds the thrill of the forbidden or taboo. The mind is our biggest erogenous zone - B&D lets us enjoy our wildest and dirtiest sexual fantasies.