It’s often seen as a taboo subject.
But one scientist is finally lifting the lid on our deepest – and darkest – sexual fantasies.
Professor Mark Griffiths, an expert in Behavioural Addiction at Nottingham Trent University, has revealed the most unusual ‘paraphilias’ he has encountered.
‘Paraphilias are uncommon types of sexual expression often described as sexual deviations, sexual perversions or disorders of sexual preference,’ he explained in an article for The Conversation.
‘They are typically accompanied by intense sexual arousal to unconventional or non-sexual stimuli such as enemas (klismaphilia), statues (agalmatophilia), teeth (odontophilia) and vomit (emetophilia).’
While paraphilias seem strange or socially unacceptable to most people, Professor Griffiths argues that they should be studied by scientists.
‘Paraphilias may be laughed off, dismissed or leave some people disgusted, but there’s a pressing need for more research into uncommon sexual behaviour given know,’ he added.
Here’s a look at five of the most unusual paraphilias Professor Griffiths has come across – including getting aroused by farts.
Professor Mark Griffiths, an expert in Behavioural Addiction at Nottingham Trent University, has revealed the most unusual ‘paraphilias’ he has encountered – including getting aroused by farts (stock image)
Professor Griffiths says that being sexually aroused by cannibalism is very real (stock image)
1. Vorarephilia
Hollywood actor, Armie Hammer, hit the headlines in 2021 after allegedly sending messages detailing his own cannibalistic fetishes.
While he has since laughed off the allegations, Professor Griffiths says that being sexually aroused by cannibalism is very real.
‘Vorarephilia – or “vore” – refers to being sexually aroused by the idea of being eaten, eating another person or observing this process for sexual gratification,’ he explained.
‘Most of the fantasies of vorarephiliacs involve being the ones eaten.
‘Devouring someone could be viewed as the ultimate act of dominance by a predator and the ultimate act of submission by the prey.’
Professor Griffiths highlights the case of Armin Meiwes, who was sentenced to life in prison after killing and eating a man.
After posting adverts online, Meiwes received a response from Bern Jurgen Brandes, who agreed to be eaten.
Professor Griffiths highlights the case of Armin Meiwes, who was sentenced to life in prison after killing and eating a man
‘They met up only once. Meiwes bit off Brandes’ penis, which the two of them cooked and ate,’ Professor Griffiths detailed.
‘Brandes was videotaped being stabbed to death by Meiwes in his bath. The body was then stored for Meiwes to eat.’
While Meiwes was convicted of murder, Professor Griffiths notes that ‘although some paraphilias are illegal, most cause no psychological or behavioural problems when they are engaged by consenting adults.’
2. Dacryphilia
Dacryphilia is getting aroused from seeing someone cry and comes in three main forms, according to Professor Griffiths.
‘Compassionate dacryphiles are sexually aroused by the compassion of comforting a crier,’ he said.
‘Dominant or submissive dacryphiles are sexually aroused by either causing tears in a consenting submissive partner or by being made to cry by a consenting dominant partner.’
‘”Curled lip” dacryphiles are sexually aroused by the curling of a protruded bottom lip during crying.’
Dacryphilia is getting aroused from seeing someone cry and comes in three main forms, according to Professor Griffiths (stock image)
3. Eproctophilia
While farts make most of us giggle, they can actually sexually arouse some people – known as eproctophilia.
Professor Griffiths first encountered eproctophilia in 2013, when he met a 22-year-old single man from Illinois, called Brad (not his real name).
In school, Brad had a crush on a girl who farted in class, and this ‘sparked a strange interest’ within him.
Then, in his mid-teens, Brad heard a male friend fart and began fixating on this sound.
‘He set up a bet with the wager being the right to fart in the loser’s face for a week,’ Professor Griffiths said.
‘He continued to lose such bets once every few weeks for about two years.’
4. Apotemnophilia
Apotemnophilia is the sexual arousal caused by the fantasy or reality of being with an amputee.
‘Some apotemnophiles may pretend to be amputees,’ Professor Griffiths said.
Apotemnophilia is the sexual arousal caused by the fantasy or reality of being with an amputee (stock image)
Salirophilia, is sexual arousal from soiling or dishevelling someone attractive. This could include tearing or damaging their clothes, covering them in mud, or messing up their hair or makeup, according to the expert (stock image)
‘But, for a minority, the behaviour involves obsessive scheming to convince a surgeon to perform a medically unnecessary amputation.
‘To most people, this might seem like a type of masochism, but case studies suggest that there is no erotisation of pain – only of the healed amputated stump.’
5. Salirophilia
Finally, Professor Griffiths highlights salirophilia, which is sexual arousal from soiling or dishevelling someone attractive.
This could include tearing or damaging their clothes, covering them in mud, or messing up their hair or makeup, according to the expert.
In 2019, Professor Griffiths met Jeff (not his real name) – a 58-year-old man with salirophilia.
When he was young, Jeff recounted wanting to maturbate in strange places, such as lying under a cabinet in a dirty garage.
And while he had hoped to engage in salirophilic practices with women, it proved difficult to find like-minded women.
‘He was also a fan of the television show Fear Factor in which contestants perform revolting tasks for prize money, such as eating rotting food or being submerged in foul fluids,’ Professor Griffiths added.
‘These were a source of sexual arousal for Jeff.
‘He told me: “I just find the defilement of an attractive woman’s body erotic.”‘
You can find out more about paraphilias in Professor Griffiths’ new book, Sexual Perversions and Paraphilias: An A-Z.