What is the science behind fetishes?

[Cyrthulem]

What do you think causes a person to develop a fetish? I have heard there are two main causes of a person developing a fetish, which are trauma and ***. What do you think about those reasons as a cause of someone developing a fetish? Does science really know what the single reason for a fetish to develop is, or are they not sure if there is a single reason for a fetish to develop?

[su****]

Trauma sometimes

[Em****]

It’s hereditary !

[se****]

i can definitely attest to trauma being a reason, but i wouldn't say there's a single reason behind it as obviously not everyone goes through the same experiences. i think it's a multitude of factors and experiences that bounce off each other, causing one to develop, or maybe it's much simpler than that. who knows

[su****]

I agree with that for sure !! I guess our experiences and our desires have a great factor in it

[Deleted Member]

The research behind the trauma reasoning is solid and I can confirm anecdotally. But another really interesting one is LITERALLY how our brains are physically organized. Ok so yk that when you learn something new a new wrinkle in your brain forms? Effectively your brain is a constantly growing noodle being folded over itself and when spots overlap it can result in wierd things like PICA and a number of others. But this is the most popular reason behind foot fetishes because the genitalia/pleasure center is directly touching the toes center. This is one of my favorite fun facts

[Deleted Member]

While I do think trauma can play a key part in different kinks. I personally think many kinks can form from different experiences that someone goes through throughout their life, and as they gain more experience and knowledge, their kinks develop

[Deleted Member]

Just a couple thoughts, nothing to back it up, but, my first thought is just the sheer taboo nature of it makes these things we do so appealing for whatever reason. Maybe it's the punk rock in all of us bucking against the societal/religious/cultural boundaries we've all grown up in, and because it's forbidden, we're deriving great pleasure from it because deep down we know that for others to try and control us from taking part in these sort of things is just bad for the species. Maybe in the future the BDSM community will be credited with saving humanity from being taken over by the vanilla AI robots. Lol

[un****]

I have heard certain kinks may be genetic, oh granny liked getting spanked that's why I like it, kind of thing. However I do find the idea that how you process trauma and manifest it as kinks to be a bit odd, at least in theory because we all know not every kink is the same. That is why I wouldn't mind seeing a study backed by science, until then I believe it's a mix of environment, genetics, and upbringing.

[Deleted Member]

I love researching this. There are many layers to it and I can’t touch on all. Preferences are shaped through our brain state, experiences and choices in relation to those experiences. Example - I love hummus. One of the happiest memories of my life is when we had a power outage when I was little. My dad went to a restaurant and got some Syrian food including hummus and we sat on newspapers on the floors in candle light and ate. Hummus is something I melt for. In the same way people who don’t like certain things usually have some experience that might be subconscious that influences that preference. Now when it comes to attraction we get attracted or are drawn to things that are familiar or that indicate that it could meet some need. Trauma can play a part in guiding preferences but it could also just be normal life experiences. Also the way our ancestors lived life and their choices they make also get passed down through genetics. Regarding how kinks can connect with Trauma and the desire to get needs one could not get else where I came across this nice article *tealswan

For me I can see clearly how my kinks help me meet some of my deepest unmet needs whilst also being able to provide something to others in the exchange. But I had a lot of emotional trauma so it is inflicted by that. But by no means does that make my kinks lesser than or wrong. It’s just an influence. And maybe the kinks evolve with healing who knows or maybe I get to derive joy from it.

Edited February 27, 2025 by Deleted Member
*External link removed

[sp****]

I would love to keep following this thread. I can say that fetishes originate from patterns generated in the brain that are typically associated with sexual arousal. The triggers are generally not specifically sexual. I'm sure there are many causes though I suspect that certain individuals are more neurologically wired for it and more prone to it. I'm curious as well. Sorry for rambling.

[Ch****]

I went to a kinky convention recently and there were scientists offering a test to see how masochistic you were. They also took DNA samples. The seminar they gave near the end of the weekend, with results of the study they've been doing for a long time now, was fascinating! They were able to conclude that there are indeed genetic components!

[Ch****]

1 hour ago, softsubman said:

I love researching this. There are many layers to it and I can’t touch on all. Preferences are shaped through our brain state, experiences and choices in relation to those experiences. Example - I love hummus. One of the happiest memories of my life is when we had a power outage when I was little. My dad went to a restaurant and got some Syrian food including hummus and we sat on newspapers on the floors in candle light and ate. Hummus is something I melt for. In the same way people who don’t like certain things usually have some experience that might be subconscious that influences that preference. Now when it comes to attraction we get attracted or are drawn to things that are familiar or that indicate that it could meet some need. Trauma can play a part in guiding preferences but it could also just be normal life experiences. Also the way our ancestors lived life and their choices they make also get passed down through genetics. Regarding how kinks can connect with Trauma and the desire to get needs one could not get else where I came across this nice article *tealswan

For me I can see clearly how my kinks help me meet some of my deepest unmet needs whilst also being able to provide something to others in the exchange. But I had a lot of emotional trauma so it is inflicted by that. But by no means does that make my kinks lesser than or wrong. It’s just an influence. And maybe the kinks evolve with healing who knows or maybe I get to derive joy from it.

Article is gone?

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[Deleted Member]

I believe some of our fetishes are nothing more than primitive sexual practices and urges that never really went away despite changes in religion and other social constructs. Exhibition and voyeurism are the first things that come to mind. 20,000 years ago we all shared caves and were probably exposed to others making love consistently.

[br****]

Childhood trauma for sure!

[DM****]

I think all sexual attractions are essentially fetishes. The basic fetishes are things like straight men wanting women with large breasts, and because that's so common it isn't considered kinky. IMO, anything that automatically and/or explicitly gets you going are fetishes. Anything that turns you off is the antithesis of fetish.

[Ed****]

Idk what might cause fetishes. But i know having one and not realizing it, is terrible. But also when you do realize it💥💯💥💞😈

[Ho****]

Mines trauma

[wi****]

Kinks are also hereditary 😭🙏

[Daddy12B]

I've read before some of it can be genetic 😬

[sy****]

Yes true @Daddy12B yes

[Co****]

Are fetishes often connected to trauma? Yes, fairly often. Are fetishes ‘always’ connected to trauma? Absolutely not. Nor will a particular trauma necessarily cause the same reaction in different people.

[ha****]

Does science even know what "fetish" is?
It's a personal preference. Yes in some cases it may have been something that triggered it. Other cases just plainly: Monkey see, monkey do, monkey love and that's all to it.

[Sm****]

I believe mine are genetics. I had a fairly normal childhood where the only trauma I experienced was being yelled at and getting my a* beat for bad behavior, but I didn't even know what my sexual preferences were until I started exploring them through porn in my later 20s. Thank you internet. Lol. The thing is I had a vanilla sex life until that point, but then once I started to see there were other ways to do things, people weren't always with someone their same age, or same sex, the addition of toys, props, equipment, etc... It opened my mind. In the end you don't know what you don't know if you have never seen it. Porn isn't as bad as everyone says it is.