Gags

A gag is a device designed to cover or be inserted into the mouth to prevent the wearer from talking or crying out. In BDSM, gags have a very strong symbolic value. They prevent the submissive from talking or communicating with the dominant in anything but the most basic way. This enhances the loss of control that the sub experiences in a scene which in turn can magnify the D/S dynamic between the players. The gag might also be an invasion of the sub’s body which is another strong D/S signal. For many fetishists, the Freudian symbolism is part of the bondage ritual – the mouth is very intimate space, and controlling verbal control as well as the movements of the tongue and jaw can be very erotic for some subs.

There are myriad other ways to silence someone – lingerie casually stuffed in the mouth, with care taken that the fabric doesn’t obstruct the airway; medical tape, applied in layers; cleave gags wound around the submissive’s head very tightly. Many BDSM practitioners, however, prefer the stringent look and feel of leather mouth gags.

Types of gag

There are many different designs of gags which are used in BDSM play. Some types are very similar; for example, there is little difference between a pecker, penis or plug gag.

Muzzle gag

A muzzle gag is a form of gag used in BDSM activities. It is so called because it resembles a muzzle used on animals, with a flexible pad which straps over the mouth, and sometimes also around the cheeks and chin. Restricting movement of the jaw and covering the cheeks can both increase the efficacy of a gag and make it very difficult to make loud noises.

A muzzle gag is generally held in place with a head harness. A muzzle gag may also have an attached posture collar and may also be fitted with an integrated pecker gag. Safety risks associated with gags in general also apply to this form of gag.

Muzzle gags have a strong psychological effect on some people, because of the association of being restrained in a way generally associated with animals. A panel gag looks similar but normally has a ball fitted on the inside.