Fetishes you’ve probably never heard of (and might not want to!)
Human sexuality is one of the most fascinating and diverse aspects of our psychology. Beyond the common erotic attractions, there is a world of lesser-known fetishes that won’t turn everyone on – but they do tick a box for others…big time!
From a fondness for certain scents or textures to an emotional connection with objects, stories, or even the natural world, these unconventional fascinations, often called paraphilias or atypical attractions, push the boundaries of human arousal.
Read on to explore some unusual but intriguing examples that might just surprise you.
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Autosexuality
Autosexuality is the experience of being sexually attracted to yourself. Unlike narcissism, which is characterised by an inflated sense of self-importance, autosexuality isn’t about vanity. It’s the ultimate example of self-love!
Rather than finding sexual attraction in other people, autosexual people get aroused and find satisfaction through their own bodies. They can get dressed up or enjoy solo pleasure without the need to think about anyone else. It’s empowering and reduces the risk of disappointment…
Claustrophilia
Unlike those who find tight spaces scary and panic-triggering, people with claustrophilia feel the opposite. They find themselves aroused by being in enclosed or confined spaces, and enjoy the challenges of fear, safety, and control.
For some, confined spaces evoke a sense of comfort, and protection. Psychologists theorise that the sensory deprivation and restriction can also heighten awareness of touch and proximity, making it extra erotic.
Dendrophilia
Dendrophilia is a sexual attraction to trees or other forms of plant life. Those with dendrophilia may feel fascination, affection, or arousal toward the texture, shape, or symbolism of trees.
This attraction can take many forms, ranging from admiration of nature’s beauty and vitality to intimate or sensual physical experiences involving trees.
Hirsutophilia
This one will be niche for some. Hirsutophilia, or attraction to body hair, certainly challenges the mainstream beauty standards that often prize smooth, hairless bodies. Those with hirsutophilic interests may be drawn to facial hair, chest hair, or excessive natural hair growth in the armpits and pubic areas.
Anthropologists often point out that body hair has long been a cultural symbol. Ancient societies associated hair with virility, wisdom, or raw nature; modern beauty industries, by contrast, promote its removal.
it also illustrates how attraction isn’t just about what society deems to be sexually appealing, it can also be a resistance to conformity.
Findom
Financial domination, or findom, involves a consensual dynamic in which one person (often called a “submissive” or “paypig”) derives satisfaction from giving money or gifts to a dominant partner. For outsiders, the fetish may appear exploitative or purely transactional, but for participants, it’s often more psychological than financial. It’s erotic power.
The appeal lies in the exchange of power and trust. The submissive experiences arousal or satisfaction in surrendering control, while the dominant experiences empowerment in the agreement. Many findom relationships operate entirely online, involving roleplay, boundaries, and mutual respect.
Emetophilia
Definitely a fetish that will turn many people’s stomachs at the thought; emetophilia is when someone experiences sexual arousal or fascination from vomiting or seeing others vomit.
Some may be aroused by the act itself, by the physical sensations involved, or by the emotional intensity and loss of control it represents. In some cases, emetophilia may overlap with power dynamics or elements of humiliation and vulnerability, while in others it may be purely sensory. We’ll just leave that thought with you…
Agalmatophilia
This fetish might remind you of the iconic 1987 film Mannequin, starring Kim Cattrall, but it’s not about Emmy coming to life. Quite the opposite. Agalmatophilia is a rare form of sexual attraction or affection toward statues, dolls, mannequins, or other representations of the human form.
The term comes from the Greek words agalma (meaning “statue” or “idol”) and philia (meaning “love” or “affection”). Those with agalmatophilia can feel fascination, emotional attachment, or even sexual arousal toward these inanimate figures.
A ‘perfect’ human-like form often evokes powerful feelings of beauty, idealisation, or control which can be sexually appealing. In some cases, agalmatophilia overlaps with related interests, such as robot fetishism or object sexuality, where affection is directed toward objects rather than living beings.
Knismolagnia
Fancy a giggle? Knismolagnia refers to the experience of arousal through tickling. Tickling sits on the edge between laughter and discomfort and activates both physical and emotional reflexes. It’s involuntary and unpredictable.
We also usually only allow those we trust to tickle us, so it’s considered an intimate act. For some, the combination of helplessness and play triggers heightened arousal. For others, it represents a form of sensory communication, blending touch, laughter, and tension.
Sploshing
Sploshing, or “wet and messy play,” involves the use of substances like whipped cream, paint, or even mud during sex. It might not sound very sexy at first, but for some, the textures and sensations can be very arousing in the bedroom (or somewhere prepped with plastic for the mess!).
The enjoyment often stems from freedom and a desire to be playful. There is liberation from cleanliness, restraint, and social decorum, plus there is an obvious association with bodily fluids which is a kink in itself.
Dacryphilia
Dacryphilia is a sexual or emotional attraction to tears or crying. People with dacryphilia may experience arousal, comfort, or a deep emotional connection when witnessing another person cry, or sometimes when crying themselves.
For some, the appeal lies in the vulnerability and intimacy expressed through tears; for others, it may be linked to power dynamics, as seen in certain BDSM contexts where crying reflects emotional release or surrender.
Forniphilia
You can take a seat for this one. Forniphilia is a type of bondage-oriented fetish in which a person derives sexual arousal or satisfaction from being used, or using someone else, as human furniture, such as a table, chair, or lamp.
It often appears within the world of BDSM, because of the ideas of restraint, objectification, and power exchange. Participants may find excitement in the physical restriction and the psychological transformation of a person into an inanimate object, symbolising control, submission, or devotion.
It is less about the literal function of furniture and more about the erotic symbolism of stillness, endurance, and aesthetic display.
Macrophilia
Macrophilia is a sexual or emotional attraction to giants, and an arousal over the fantasy of a size difference between sexual partners. It’s usually involving a fascination with being dominated or overwhelmed by a much larger being.
In a macrophilia fantasy, one partner is imagined as a towering giant, sometimes hundreds of feet tall, while the other is comparatively tiny and vulnerable. This attraction often centres on themes of power, protection, and awe. The appeal lies in feelings of safety or submission. BFG anyone?
Plushophilia
This will bring a whole new meaning to the idea of fluffing! Plushophilia is a sexual attraction to stuffed toy animals, often referred to as “plushies.” Individuals with plushophilia may find comfort, emotional attachment, and arousal in interacting with plush toys, which can represent warmth, innocence, or companionship.
Plushophilia occasionally overlaps with the furry fandom, which is a subculture where people dress up as animal characters, but furries don’t always have a sexual interest in plush toys.
Narratophilia
Narratophilia is all about getting highly sexually turned on by listening to, reading or sharing, erotic stories. For some, the attraction lies in the ability to vividly picture situations in the mind, while for others, the thrill comes from the act of communication and shared intimacy through storytelling.
The bonus to narratophilia is that it allows people to be stimulated by their imagination which has no limitations!
Formicophilia
This might just make your skin crawl, but that’s the goal! Formicophilia is an unusual paraphilia where someone experiences sexual arousal or fascination from the sensation of small creatures, such as insects, crawling on their skin.
The fetish is triggered by the feeling of tiny movements across the body, or the psychological thrill of vulnerability and sensitivity. It’s a sensory eroticism but not for the faint-hearted.
Olfactophilia
Olfactophilia is about sexual or emotional attraction to particular scents or odours. People with olfactophilia may find certain natural body odours, perfumes, or environmental scents arousing or emotionally stimulating.
The attraction can be highly specific, such as a preference for a particular person’s natural scent, or more general, like an affinity for specific fragrances, flowers, or even household smells.
Olfactophilia may be linked to memory, comfort, and emotional associations, as scent is strongly tied to the brain’s limbic system, which governs emotion and sexual response.
Katoptronophilia
This fetish needs confidence! Katoptronophilia is about being aroused by mirrors or watching yourself having sex in a mirror. This fetish is an excitement or fascination with your own reflection, and your partner, and is linked to voyeurism, which is the act of watching sexual activity.
Psychologically, it can reflect an appreciation of one’s own appearance or a fascination with both seeing and being seen.
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