Ready to uncover the tantalizing world of BDSM? Lovehoney’s latest study, "Bound to Explore: BDSM and Sex Furniture Habits," led by Social Psychologist and Lovehoney Scientific Advisor Dr. Justin Lehmiller in collaboration with the Kinsey Institute, brings you exclusive insights into the fascinating practices and preferences of BDSM enthusiasts.

BDSM's influence is reaching popular platforms like the national fashion show OMG Fashun, where Julia Fox and Law Roach recently featured Lovehoney's BDSM gear in a 'Sexual Wellness' episode. In the episode, Julia challenges contestants to create fashion looks infused with BDSM energy using Lovehoney cuffs, bondage gear, and more. While BDSM is growing in popularity and entering the cultural zeitgeist, many Americans are unclear about what exactly it entails.

Now that BDSM is making its way into the mainstream, let’s take a deep dive into what makes this community tick!

BDSM Participation: A Closer Look

The study, involving 1,500 participants, revealed some intriguing stats. About 25% of respondents admitted to dabbling in BDSM when asked in a broad sense. But when we got specific, nearly 50% owned up to trying out various kinky activities. It seems many of you are having fun but might not be labeling it as BDSM. This suggests that many individuals might engage in BDSM without labeling their actions as such, likely influenced by media portrayals that often highlight extreme examples seen in pornography. For those who have not engaged in BDSM, reasons varied, with many citing a lack of knowledge about BDSM (13.3%) and a lack of interest (46.2%).

Interestingly, both men and women show similar levels of interest and experience in BDSM. However, men are twice as likely as women to learn about BDSM through pornography (50% vs. 25%). This indicates a potential gap in education and awareness, where media, particularly pornography, plays a significant role in shaping perceptions and knowledge of BDSM.

What Are We Up To?

Here's a peek into the types of BDSM activities that have tickled your fancy:

• Blindfolded Fun: 21.3% have tried it.
• Role-Playing: A favorite at 27.4%.
• Tying Up and Getting Tied Up: Around 19.8% love the ropes.

There is also a notable interest in consensual pain, with 13.6% having tried it and 12% expressing a desire to try it in the future.

Learning About BDSM

Participants reported various sources of information about BDSM, with pornography being the most cited (37.5%). Other significant sources include:

• Internet: Close behind at 31.3%.
• TV/Movies: 24.3% of you get your cues from the screen.
• Books: 13.8% love a good read to get inspired.

Only a small percentage learned from academic articles (2.8%), highlighting a potential area for more educational resources.

Sex Furniture: Usage and Perceptions

The study also explored the use of sex furniture, a less commonly discussed aspect of BDSM. While a majority (85.7%) have never used sex furniture, there is a curiosity, with 26.5% expressing some interest and 15.6% being very interested in trying it in the future. Common barriers to using sex furniture include lack of knowledge (47.4%), uncertainty about whether it’s right for them (28.4%), and space constraints (20.1%).

A Growing Curiosity

The "Bound to Explore" study reveals a significant curiosity and participation in BDSM activities among adults. Despite the barriers and misconceptions, there is a growing interest in exploring BDSM, with many individuals expressing a desire to try new activities. The findings underscore the importance of better education and resources to help people understand and safely explore BDSM practices.

This study opens the door to further research and dialogue, encouraging a more informed and open conversation about BDSM. As more people become aware of the nuances and diversity within BDSM, it is likely that interest and participation will continue to grow, paving the way for a more inclusive understanding of human sexuality.

Methodological Notes: The Lovehoney x Kinsey Institute Regional Survey 2024 was conducted by Prodege (www.Prodege.com) among a nationally representative sample of 1,500 U.S. Adults age 18-88 via an online survey, from March 21, 2024 – March 26, 2024. The sample was balanced to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the U.S. population on age, gender, household income, region, and ethnicity. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. For the interviews conducted in this study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.