If you are new to the BDSM world, you may have heard the term gag just about a million times… And you may have been to embarrassed to ask what it actually means and entails and why do people do it? But it’s ok, everyone was a newcomer once… some a few moons back than others wink*.
Basically a gag is something that you put in someone’s mouth so they don’t speak, in order to silence them; it also gives the dominant partner a sense of well, power. They can also be used as a form of punishment or humiliation, depending on the context. There are many levels of muteness, depending on the gag, so it can range from mild to completely mute. Submissives are the ones who wear gags and they are usually worn in conjunction with other bondage items or as a form of role play in the context of a scene.
Gags also make you drool and they can be painful after a long amount of time, so that is definitely something that people take into account. If the gag is too tight or too big it can be uncomfortable and painful, so that can be used as punishment. For some people, seeing their partner drooling and tight up in a complete submissive position, turns them on, for instance. For others it’s the sensation of biting into something what makes them love gags; they consider it to be comforting. And others just love them because of a kinky fetish (no one blames them wink*)
There are plenty types of gags, but they can be divided in two big categories: homemade and professional ones. Now, I can recommend you to only use the ones created especially for that purpose, so I translates to staying away from the homemade gags (scarves, bandanas and pieces of fabrics that you put in the mouth) and go pro. Just because gags are dangerous enough already, so if you add something homemade and improvised to the mix, you are increasing your chances of something bad happening to you or your partner, so save yourself the worry and just go and get one from a shop. Warning over.
Now, the most popular type is a ball gag, but there are plenty more like the ones that you bite into, the muffler types, the dildo ones, the ones that allow an open mouth, etc. What typically chances is what goes inside the mouth on how restrictive they are, because almost, if not all of them have the same MO: they have straps of different materials that are tightened around the back.
Whatever one you choose, you should be careful. As I mentioned earlier, they can be dangerous. Their breathing won’t be restricted, but it can hinder their breathing capacity if they a stuffed nose, have the flu or allergies. That is why shouldn’t use them when your breathing it’s not at 100%. And you should never cover their nose when they are wearing one. As a person it’s not capable of speaking with a gag, you will have to look for different safe signals instead of safe word in case you feel it’s too much. Now, go and play safe!
