Sex expert explains why searches for the terrifying trend of 'vorarephilia' have shot up in the last year

A sex expert has explained how a new trend has seen a sudden surge in interest... and it's definitely pretty unexpected.

Sex is something that a lot of people are private about, and that's completely understandable.

However, for others, there are certain trends that might be of interest and that might seem quite bizarre to others.

But hey, whatever you do in your own time is entirely up to you.

Some people are more open about sex than others. Credit: Tom Merton/Getty

A sex and relationship expert recently delved into five years of Google search data, analyzing 160 million queries to uncover how sexual preferences and interests are evolving.

While some trends are waning, others are gaining traction.

For instance, searches for "dogging" (engaging in sex in public places) and "cottaging" (having sex in public bathrooms) have plummeted, with the latter experiencing a staggering 70% decline.

But as these once-popular activities fade, newer and more niche fetishes are on the rise.

One such fetish is vore, short for vorarephilia, which has seen a 26% increase in searches.

This term might be unfamiliar to many, but according to the National Library of Medicine, vore is "an infrequently presenting paraphilia, characterized by the erotic desire to consume or be consumed by another person or creature."

While cannibalism is illegal in most parts of the world, vore remains a fantasy rather than a real-world practice.

There are many fetishes in the world. Credit: Tara Moore/Getty

Rachel Thompson’s findings shed light on this burgeoning interest, and others in the field have weighed in on its implications.

Hope Flynn, head of content at the sexual wellness brand IPlaySafe, explained to Mail Online: "It's important to know that vore is only fantasy and doesn’t involve real harm or eating. There’s a distinction between those who like to consume (predators) and those who like to be consumed (prey)."

Flynn elaborated further, saying: "People with vore fantasies might express themselves through stories, artworks, role-playing, or online discussions and forums like Reddit."

Flynn speculated that the increased interest in vore could be partly attributed to the influence of shows like Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and House of Hammer.

"They both condone literal cannibalistic love or elements of it," she said, referring to the darker, more taboo aspects of these productions.

Vore isn’t the only unconventional fetish capturing people’s imagination.

Adult entertainment platform P*rnhub revealed that fictional characters are another major area of interest.

DC Comics’ Harley Quinn, portrayed on screen by Margot Robbie and Lady Gaga, claimed the top spot on the list, surpassing fan-favorite franchises like Star Wars and Game of Thrones, which secured the second and third positions, respectively.

Harley Quinn was at the top of the list. Credit: Matt Cowan / Getty

Other notable entries included the blue-skinned characters from the Avatar films at number four, followed by Harry Potter, Wonder Woman, and Disney’s The Incredibles.

Perhaps more surprising were appearances from children's franchises like Shrek, Power Rangers, and Spider-Man, all making it into the top 30 most searched movies and characters on the platform.

Featured image credit: Tom Merton/Getty