All that from a bit of slap and tickle? Bear with us. Kinky sex is a way of experimenting with boundaries in the bedroom which sometimes involves a good spanking, but it also comes with emotional, physical and even spiritual benefits that could improve your relationships and transform your self-esteem. But while we can't knock EL James for bringing kink into the public consciousness, the stereotypes depicted in popular culture are often way off the mark. If you've ever picked up a copy of Fifty Shades of Grey or accidentally wondered into your local Ann Summers store, you might have a vague understanding of what kinky sex entails.