Sexual fetishes and fantasies remain a taboo subject, yet they are a significant aspect of some people's sexual experiences.
Everyone has their preferences; some might be into BDSM, while others might prefer group activities. While it's easy to make light of these kinks and fetishes, for others, they are essential for sexual satisfaction. When it comes to the more unusual preferences, the impact can be profound.
Dr. Mark Griffiths, a Behavioral Addiction expert at Nottingham Trent University, has shared insights from his research into sexual perversions, particularly focusing on various types of 'paraphilia'.
Robert Weiss, in a post on PsychCentral, explains that kinks, fetishes, and paraphilias "involve the same behavior," noting that fetishes are part of paraphilic disorders, but the distinction lies in "the role that behavior plays and the effects it has," which can vary greatly from one person to another.
Dr. Mark Griffiths, in an article for The Conversation, defines paraphilias as "uncommon types of sexual expression often described as sexual deviations, sexual perversions, or disorders of sexual preference." He emphasizes the necessity for further research into these behaviors, stating: "Paraphilias may be laughed off, dismissed, or leave some people disgusted, but there's a pressing need for more research into uncommon sexual behavior given what we know."
He also points out that while some paraphilias are illegal, "most cause no psychological or behavioral problems when engaged in by consenting adults."
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Vorarephilia
In 2021, Hollywood actor Armie Hammer faced allegations of cannibalistic fetishes, which he denied along with accusations of rape and sexual assault. After a police investigation, Hammer was not charged with any crime, later expressing gratitude for the cannibalistic accusations. According to Griffiths, sexual arousal by the concept of cannibalism, known as vorarephilia, is a genuine phenomenon for some individuals.
Armie Hammer was accused of having cannibalistic fetishes in 2021
He explained: "Vorarephilia, or 'vore,' refers to the sexual arousal from the idea of being eaten, eating another person, or watching this process for sexual gratification.
"Most vorarephiliacs' fantasies involve being the one who is eaten.
"Devouring someone might be seen as the ultimate act of dominance for the predator and the ultimate act of submission for the prey."
The case of Armin Meiwes serves as a chilling example; he was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing and eating Bernd Jürgen Brandes, who had agreed to this after Meiwes posted an advertisement on 'cannibal fetish websites'.
Dacryphilia
Dacryphilia is a sexual arousal to a person crying
Dacryphilia is another type of fetish where an individual becomes sexually aroused by someone crying in the bedroom.
Dr. Griffiths breaks this down into three categories: “Compassionate dacryphiles are sexually aroused by the act of comforting someone who is crying.
“Dominant or submissive dacryphiles find arousal either in causing tears in a consenting submissive partner or in being made to cry by a consenting dominant partner.
“‘Curled lip’ dacryphiles are sexually aroused by the sight of a protruded bottom lip curling during the act of crying.”
Eproctophilia
Eproctophilia is an arousal to flatulance
This fetish might be considered somewhat overwhelming, where someone becomes sexually aroused by flatulence. Professor Griffiths encountered eproctophilia in 2013 when he met a man named Brad (alias).
The 22-year-old developed an interest after a girl in his class farted, which "sparked a strange interest." His fixation grew when he heard a male friend fart as well.
Dr. Griffiths said: "He set up a bet where the wager was the right to fart in the loser's face for a week. He continued to lose such bets once every few weeks for about two years."
Additionally, there appears to be a market for this, as one influencer made a significant amount of money by selling her farts in jars online.
Apotemnophilia
Dr Griffiths say apotemnophilia isn't a form of masochism
Apotemnophilia is where an individual becomes sexually aroused by the thought of or interaction with amputees.
The expert explained: "Some apotemnophiles may role-play as amputees.
"However, for a small group, the behavior escalates to obsessively plotting to persuade a surgeon to perform an unnecessary amputation.
"To many, this might appear as a form of masochism, but research indicates there's no sexualization of pain involved – only of the healed amputated stump."
Salirophilia
Getting down and dirty (literally) is also considered paraphilia
This fetish is somewhat multifaceted. It involves an individual becoming aroused by the act of soiling someone attractive, for instance, by covering them in mud, damaging their clothes, or messing up their hair and makeup.
In 2019, Dr. Griffiths met a man named Jeff (alias) who shared that as a young man, he was aroused by the idea of masturbating in filthy environments.
Although he desired to engage in sexual activities with women he could dirty, he found it challenging to find willing partners.
"He was also a fan of the television show 'Fear Factor,' where contestants undertake disgusting challenges for prize money, like eating spoiled food or being submerged in repulsive fluids," Dr. Griffiths noted, adding, "These scenarios were sexually arousing for Jeff.
"He told me: 'I just find the defilement of an attractive woman's body erotic.'"
