Researchers studied Belgian sex lives and found something very surprising

Research suggests that bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism (BDSM) is exceedingly popular in Belgium.

The study, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, found that 70 per cent of the Belgian population has some interest in BDSM.

Researchers surveyed 1,027 Belgian residents aged 18 to 65 and found a high interest in BDSM-related activities.

Study author Manuel Morrens told PsyPost:

In a representative sample of the general population, we found 70 per cent to have at least sexual fantasies about BDSM related activities, and half of the population indicated to have implemented at least one of these activities once or more in their life

Blindfolds, handcuffs and use of ice cubes were quite prominent - 30 per cent of the population had used each of these three at least once.

Morrens also pointed to other activities:

Thirteen percent of the general population performed a BDSM-related activity on a regular basis, with 3-5 per cent implementing several BDSM practices regularly. One per cent indicated they attended organized BDSM-events outdoors

The researchers were surprised by the wide spectrum of activities that the population were interested in.

On one end of this spectrum, you have those with sexual fantasies about it, without having practiced them, then you have the people that implement some soft play with handcuffs and blindfolds without going further. A third category would be those that are into more harsh forms of BDSM, until finally there are those who implement it intensely in their lives while participating in BDSM events outdoors. About eight per cent of the general population actually self-identifies as a ‘BDSM practitioner.'

Researchers hesitated to say the results could be generalised internationally, but noted they were in line with other "more rudimentary studies on the topic".

HT PsyPost

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