When breath becomes power, and surrender becomes worship.
In the world of BDSM, few tools embody the tension between power and trust as completely as the smother box. It’s an object both simple and provocative — a physical structure that invites one partner to surrender their breath, their space, and their control to another.
But the smother box isn’t merely a piece of equipment. It’s a psychological stage — one where vulnerability, control, and devotion intertwine.
Few symbols in history carry the weight of both fear and fascination like the whipping post. Once a place of punishment and public shame, it now whispers to us from the shadows—inviting a new interpretation. In the world of bondage and sensation play, the whipping post is no longer about humiliation forced upon the unwilling. It is about chosen surrender, erotic intensity, and the exquisite thrill of restraint.
At Wickedly Woven, we see the whipping post not as a relic of cruelty, but as a stage for desire. A place where ropes hug the skin, where bodies are displayed in delicious vulnerability, and where every strike of the flogger becomes a kiss of fire against willing flesh.
The queening chair—also known as a facesitting throne—is a specially designed piece of furniture that allows one person to sit or kneel over another’s face. While its purpose is largely sexual, particularly within BDSM and kink communities, the queening chair also holds interesting cultural and historical dimensions. Often associated with dominance and power dynamics, its name references the act of “queening,” where a woman sits on a partner’s face as an expression of sexual control or pleasure.
This article explores the origins, uses, and evolving perceptions of the queening chair, shedding light on how design, sexuality, and culture intersect.
Breath play—also known as erotic asphyxiation, air restriction, or breath control play—is a form of BDSM where one partner intentionally restricts another’s breathing to create intense sensations. It’s a practice that demands the highest levels of trust, communication, and caution due to its inherent risks.
This is not an activity for beginners. Breath play carries serious dangers, including brain damage, loss of consciousness, and even death. If you choose to explore it, you must approach it with informed consent, skill, and an unwavering commitment to safety.
Electric stimulation within BDSM is a fascinating and diverse realm, offering a unique blend of sensation, control, and intensity. Far from being a monolithic practice, it encompasses a variety of devices and techniques, each providing a distinct experience for those who engage in it. From gentle tingles to intense muscle contractions, understanding the different types of electric stimulation can help practitioners explore this often-misunderstood facet of play safely and pleasurably.
At its core, electric stimulation in BDSM involves the application of small electrical currents to the body, typically through electrodes. These currents interact with nerve endings and muscle fibers, creating a range of sensations that can be both thrilling and highly erotic. Safety is paramount, and it’s crucial to use equipment specifically designed for BDSM use, never household electricity, and always start with very low settings to gauge sensitivity.
Needle play occupies a unique place in the realm of BDSM. It is visually intense, highly ritualistic, and deeply intimate. Often misunderstood or mischaracterized, this edge play practice involves the temporary insertion of sterile needles just under the skin for sensation, aesthetics, or psychological thrill. For experienced practitioners, needle play can be a meditative, connective, and powerfully erotic ritual that requires precision, care, and trust.
This advanced guide explores the nuances of needle play, focusing on safety, tools, psychological considerations, and scene dynamics to ensure both top and bottom have a meaningful, consensual experience.
When it comes to BDSM, the tools we use are more than just props—they are extensions of trust, communication, and the energy we bring into the scene. Whether you’re building your first toy bag or upgrading your collection, knowing what to look for when buying BDSM implements can make all the difference in safety, satisfaction, and longevity.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what to consider before clicking “add to cart” or walking out of your local kink boutique with your next delicious implement.
By Maddy Hayes, Psychosexual Studies Specialist
BDSM—an acronym for Bondage & Discipline, Dominance & Submission, and Sadism & Masochism—remains a complex and often misunderstood constellation of sexual and relational practices. While once pathologized, BDSM is increasingly recognized within psychological literature as a valid expression of human sexuality. This article explores the psychological effects of consensual BDSM from clinical, cognitive, and neurobiological perspectives, highlighting its potential to foster emotional intimacy, regulate stress, and enhance identity integration.
Historically stigmatized, BDSM was long considered indicative of psychopathology. Early editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) pathologized BDSM-related behaviors as paraphilias. However, revisions in the DSM-5 acknowledged the distinction between atypical sexual interests and clinical disorders, contingent on distress or harm. This paradigmatic shift invites a deeper psychological exploration of BDSM’s emotional, cognitive, and neurobiological implications—particularly when practiced consensually.
When people talk about altered psychological states in BDSM, much of the discourse centers on subspace—that intoxicating blend of endorphins, vulnerability, and surrender experienced by many submissives. Yet its counterpart, Domspace, is just as real, just as potent, and just as critical to the emotional and psychological dynamics of a power exchange scene. Still, it’s often less discussed, sometimes even misunderstood, even within seasoned communities.
Let’s explore Domspace not as a mirror to subspace, but as a unique, powerful psychological state with its own triggers, benefits, and risks.
In recent years, BDSM has emerged from the shadows and into the cultural mainstream, shedding outdated taboos and gaining recognition not only as a valid form of sexual expression but also as a potential contributor to emotional and mental well-being. But what are the real effects of BDSM on mental health?
At Wickedly Woven, where we celebrate conscious kink and the art of connection, we believe it’s important to explore how kink—especially practices like bondage, dominance and submission, impact play, and roleplay—can affect the psyche. Let’s dive into the mental health implications of BDSM, both the healing potential and the cautions.
One of the core principles of BDSM is consensual power exchange. Whether someone takes on a dominant or submissive role, the interaction is grounded in negotiation, boundaries, and mutual trust. For many, this experience can be incredibly empowering.