An expert has issued a warning after a rare and unusual sexual fetish has seen a surge in interest amongst younger people.

Known as vorarephilia, or simply “vore,” it describes the erotic desire to consume, or be consumed by, another person or creature. In essence, it’s a sexual fascination with being swallowed whole.

As curiosity grows, more people are confessing their vore fantasies in niche online forums and subreddits. Sex and relationship expert Hope Flynn tells the Daily Mail that anyone exploring vore in their sex life must “communicate openly, establish consent, and engage responsibly.”

Research led by sex and relationship specialist Rachel Thompson reveals that Google searches for vore and vorarephilia have risen by 26% over the past five years. Thompson’s study, conducted with sex-positive platform Sensuali, analyzed 160 million searches to track the rise and fall of over 100 kinky terms during that period, per LadBible.

According to a case report in 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,” typically involving being swallowed whole. Data on the fetish is limited, but reported fantasies tend to align with “basic vorarephilic interests.” These fantasies are often shared online through text, illustrations, or roleplay within the community.

Under a now-deleted Reddit post, users have opened up about their vorarephilic and even cannibalistic fantasies. One man admitted he had longed to “eat” and “bite” his girlfriend, clarifying that his early interest was “soft vore”, fantasy play where no harm occurs. Over time, he said, his thoughts shifted toward “hard vore,” which includes more violent impulses, though he emphasized he would never act on them in real life.

Soft vore involves arousal from the idea of being consumed alive but unharmed, while hard vore can involve violent impulses without sexual motivation. The man described impulsively biting himself (his thumb, hand, and forearm) not sexually, but from an intense, animalistic sensation of pleasure. He admitted feeling increasingly out of control but reiterated his commitment to not hurting anyone else. Reddit users responded with advice for managing urges, such as breathing exercises or chewing gum.

Origins of vore fantasies vary. Some users trace their interest to childhood experiences, fairy tales, or cartoons where characters are eaten, while others are fascinated by giants or snakes that swallow prey whole. One recalled a sleepover incident as a child, which sparked their attraction to vore through the thrill of tight, confined spaces.

Flynn explains that vore is purely fantasy and does not involve real harm. Participants may express themselves through stories, art, roleplay, or online communities. “These communities make it easier for people to discover and explore their interests,” she said. Popular culture has also played a role: shows and films that romanticize vampires or explore cannibalism can normalize such fantasies in a fictional context.

Despite growing interest, Flynn emphasizes that vore remains a niche fetish. Its controversial nature (after all, fantasizing about eating or being eaten by someone is far from mainstream) means the community is tight-knit. Opinions vary widely, and the fetish is still poorly understood by the general public.

Ultimately, she says, vore is personal: “Some people find it appealing, and some people don’t. The most important thing is to be respectful, ensure consent, and engage responsibly when exploring adult interests.”