February 2015 PMID 25359122

What exactly is an unusual sexual fantasy?

Christian C Joyal, Amélie Cossette, Vanessa Lapierre

Mentions

199
Peak: 4 in Nov 2023
across 5 sources since Aug 2017

Extended reach

951,514
potential audience

Total likes

20,014

Video views

835,088

Mentions per month

Aug 2017 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News116 articles
  • X / Twitter50 posts
  • Blogs15 articles
  • Facebook14 posts
  • YouTube4 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

This collection reveals that social discussions about sexual fantasies are highly interested and deeply engaged, with many citing scientific studies such as Joyal et al. (2015), highlighting that fantasies like dominance, submission, and role play are quite common, which challenges societal taboos and promotes open conversations about human sexuality. The tone varies from scientific references to personal reflections, emphasizing both the curiosity and the importance placed on understanding diverse sexual preferences.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most social discussions acknowledge that unusual fantasies are more common and less taboo than often assumed, aligning with the scientific findings cited.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high curiosity, with many referencing studies and sharing statistics about sexual fantasies, indicating strong engagement with the topic.

EngagementHigh engagement

Participants actively analyze research, quote studies, and debate the diversity and frequency of fantasies, demonstrating deep involvement.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions suggest that understanding these fantasies could influence perceptions of sexual norms and human sexuality, indicating a notable impact.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Julia Serano
@JuliaSerano · X

...this passage is from a 2015 study by Joyal et al., "What Exactly Is an Unusual Sexual Fantasy?", where they found that 30-60% of their sample experienced submissive fantasies (aka, they are not unusual at all). full PDF at this link: https://t.co/Om6aYAdNn9 https://t.co/Up2xNMnbw2

Aug 23, 2021 · 61 likes · 2 shares · 35,121 followers View post →
Voyeur de Animais Coloridos
@VColoridos · X

Joyal, C. C., Cossette, A., & Lapierre, V. (2015). What Exactly Is an Unusual Sexual Fantasy? The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 12(2), 328–340. doi:10.1111/jsm.12734 https://t.co/dpBhtkEuVr https://t.co/FAMRbr5BGd https://t.co/zbvbqhsTx0

Jun 15, 2021 · 37 likes · 8,491 followers View post →
山田未来
@animegirl3773 · X

@vastmightyfree 1. Most studies are on bestiality and not the fantasy of it. Zoophilia is rare (est. 2%~ of GP) and so fantasies are also rare. I know of another study but I'll need to find it. https://t.co/5YKvH8kIXZ 2. I did answer yours. "We do not know and there are competing theories."

Feb 8, 2025 · 13 likes · 388 followers View post →
underground creepy-crawly state
@branewurms · X

@keither_yaoi @mistO_fortune @d1ckg1rl @cuptoast https://t.co/RIsY8SQYDR https://t.co/d8gpHDyhHC https://t.co/Ok3U3jWVBH https://t.co/Vh7kBvFVBl https://t.co/Edzh26PG0U

Sep 4, 2024 · 9 likes · 898 followers View post →
Curious man
@variedints · X

@NathanpmYoung “I have fantasized about having sex with more than three people, all men.” 28% of women “I have fantasized about being tied up by someone in order to obtain sexual pleasure.” 52% of women I understand we can’t exactly extrapolate but we can kind of Source: https://t.co/KuHhmOq9it

Jun 9, 2025 · 9 likes · 254 followers View post →
غدِي
@vv0_7 · X

@Joseph_Pa0 دراسة: وفقًا لمعظم الدراسات النفسية والإحصائيات، المازوخية تُبلغ أكثر عند الذكور من الإناث، خصوصًا في السياق الجنسي.

Jun 13, 2025 · 7 likes · 497 followers View post →

All mentions

Common Taboo Sexual Fantasies Explored

Curious about sexual fantasies that seem taboo but are common? You're not alone. In this video, we explore four common taboo sexual fantasies, including various kinks and roleplaying scenarios, highlighting their role…

Psych2Go · Apr 27, 2024 619,466 views

Exploring the Nature of Unusual Sexual Fantasies

This video discusses unusual sexual fantasies, including insights from the study by Christian C. Joyal. It highlights that up to 60% of women fantasize about being dominated and explores the psychology behind common…

Jenni Janakka · Aug 24, 2017 6,473 views
Steffan Bonewell III of Canada
@Steffan_Pwnwell · X

@XShillionaire @TheLaurenChen Wahmen have extremely depraved fixations they only reveal in private. 1. Race-play (a black chick had custom-made slave shackles for it, a black student union chair) 2. Grape 3. Spitting Anything besides keeds and bestiality is common. https://t.co/lD7r3LB9UJ

Sep 21, 2025 · 77 followers View post →
Rez
@realrezishere · X

@Solidius_JFK https://t.co/HA634kGGPE

Aug 21, 2025 · 1 like · 877 followers View post →
Le Merovingien
@LeMerovingien23 · X

@NayoKMU @ToReMiFaSol @Stacytrouille_ 1. Étude sur les fantasmes féminins de viol Auteurs : Joyal, C. C., Cossette, A., Lapierre, V. Titre : What Exactly Is an Unusual Sexual Fantasy? Journal : Journal of Sexual Medicine, vol. 12, no. 4, 2015, p. 1097–1108. Méthode : 1 516 Canadiens adultes interrogés.

Aug 8, 2025 · 68 followers View post →
JAПMΛƆIΔ
@Janmacia2001 · X

RT @NewDrive73: @OtakuWeebtard Depende también, por ejemplo el estudio de (Joyal, Cossette & Lapierre, 2015) observó que si bien algunas pa…

Jul 8, 2025 · 2 shares · 285 followers View post →
☆
@OtakuWeebtard · X

RT @NewDrive73: @OtakuWeebtard Depende también, por ejemplo el estudio de (Joyal, Cossette & Lapierre, 2015) observó que si bien algunas pa…

Jul 7, 2025 · 2 shares · 905 followers View post →
Newアレクシア
@NewDrive73 · X

@OtakuWeebtard Depende también, por ejemplo el estudio de (Joyal, Cossette & Lapierre, 2015) observó que si bien algunas parafilias eran más frecuentes en hombres que en mujeres pues también hay otras que son más frecuentes en mujeres que en hombres. [https://t.co/sn9nXaLPXy] https://t.co/oC9VqOWx5D

Jul 7, 2025 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 1,209 followers View post →
eefen
@mozzfoxx · X

Joyal, C. C., Cossette, A., & Lapierre, V. (2015). "What exactly is an unusual sexual fantasy?" Zurbriggen, E. L., & Yost, M. R. (2004). "Power, desire, and pleasure in sexual fantasies" Levine, S. B. (2010). "What is sexual addiction?" ur opinion is disproven by science lol. https://t.co/KyWgnwTYWf

Jun 26, 2025 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 1,149 followers View post →
Mark Ambler
@VeteranGamerUK · X

@fcqv @adhib Link: https://t.co/bFIjsLNAWg

Jun 21, 2025 · 4,971 followers View post →
غدِي
@vv0_7 · X

@Joseph_Pa0 دراسة: وفقًا لمعظم الدراسات النفسية والإحصائيات، المازوخية تُبلغ أكثر عند الذكور من الإناث، خصوصًا في السياق الجنسي.

Jun 13, 2025 · 7 likes · 497 followers View post →
Curious man
@variedints · X

@NathanpmYoung “I have fantasized about having sex with more than three people, all men.” 28% of women “I have fantasized about being tied up by someone in order to obtain sexual pleasure.” 52% of women I understand we can’t exactly extrapolate but we can kind of Source: https://t.co/KuHhmOq9it

Jun 9, 2025 · 9 likes · 254 followers View post →
Curious man
@variedints · X

@leah_skii @sw33tsir3n @nashehive Source https://t.co/KuHhmOpBsV

Apr 27, 2025 · 254 followers View post →
上間元康@準新人Vtuber
@Motoyasu_kamima · X

@azuretail_319 ごめんもう二つも!! Komisaruk, B. R., Beyer-Flores, C., & Whipple, B. (2006). The science of orgasm. Johns Hopkins University Press. Joyal, C. C., Cossette, A., & Lapierre, V. (2015). What exactly is an unusual sexual fantasy?. The Journal of Sex Research, 52(7), 746–758.

Apr 1, 2025 · 1 like · 1,831 followers View post →
Roussil
@RoussilB · X

@SHARD_aerospace @Narugit @JadeTheZoo_SLDK These are the names of the teams. They probably have done more then one study, but I think I found the correct ones: https://t.co/pKcErodhH0 https://t.co/yJMgbInKCH

Mar 1, 2025 · 1 like · 45 followers View post →
山田未来
@animegirl3773 · X

@vastmightyfree 1. Most studies are on bestiality and not the fantasy of it. Zoophilia is rare (est. 2%~ of GP) and so fantasies are also rare. I know of another study but I'll need to find it. https://t.co/5YKvH8kIXZ 2. I did answer yours. "We do not know and there are competing theories."

Feb 8, 2025 · 13 likes · 388 followers View post →
Czekoladka smakuje lepiej.
@BBC_Polska · X

@pierdolefreuda https://t.co/MUzOfFWUP7 Tutaj masz.

Jan 13, 2025 · 1 like · 80 followers View post →
Synth
@synthcatpop · X

@Agusberentz @JhonSuarez2604 En un estudio de 2014, el 3% de las mujeres y el 2,2% de los hombres informaron fantasías sobre tener relaciones sexuales con un animal. https://t.co/tpZoc2iWWp

Nov 30, 2024 View post →
NicoleNi26492
@NicoleNi26492 · X

@VexedVortices @WannabeDulcinea @LydiaTakesWins @savage3400 @catholichiara Joyal et al (2015) - "What Exactly Is an Unusual Sexual Fantasy?" It found the types of fantasies described as AGP are quite common among cis women. Many reported fantasizing about embodying different roles or personas, including imagining themselves as more attractive/different

Sep 10, 2024 · 57 followers View post →
underground creepy-crawly state
@branewurms · X

@keither_yaoi @mistO_fortune @d1ckg1rl @cuptoast https://t.co/RIsY8SQYDR https://t.co/d8gpHDyhHC https://t.co/Ok3U3jWVBH https://t.co/Vh7kBvFVBl https://t.co/Edzh26PG0U

Sep 4, 2024 · 9 likes · 898 followers View post →
FairyQueen
@darealfq · X

Alongside stats on women's preference for sexually violent fantasies is a plethora of data that also clearly outlines women's need for emotional fulfillment & romance, including in a BDSM context. Kind treatment during sexual love is a human right. https://t.co/sjnClFT8kp https://t.co/lxDmHUWVYm

Jul 8, 2024 · 6 likes · 573 followers View post →
Emo Wet Dog
@BeefBrothel · X

RT @branewurms: @psychobrattt @annie_quinton @fellaensues @sillyboyliker @the_moon_monkey https://t.co/5FJnCbWyM9 https://t.co/QVCf1v7Ckx…

Dec 28, 2023 · 2 shares · 61 followers View post →
sir-shits-alot
@KROGERsEXWHORE · X

RT @branewurms: @psychobrattt @annie_quinton @fellaensues @sillyboyliker @the_moon_monkey https://t.co/5FJnCbWyM9 https://t.co/QVCf1v7Ckx…

Dec 27, 2023 · 2 shares · 56 followers View post →
underground creepy-crawly state
@branewurms · X

@psychobrattt @annie_quinton @fellaensues @sillyboyliker @the_moon_monkey https://t.co/5FJnCbWyM9 https://t.co/QVCf1v7Ckx https://t.co/RIsY8SRwtp https://t.co/d8gpHDyPxa https://t.co/Ok3U3jXtrf https://t.co/Vh7kBvGtqT https://t.co/Edzh26QdQs

Dec 27, 2023 · 2 likes · 2 shares · 898 followers View post →
sandy_pawbs
@sandy_pawbs · X

@roseybloom42 even if it wasn't. quite a lot of cis women show fantasies about sexually dominating or coercing people. do a quick search through this meta analysis for evidence (https://t.co/5b3NXhmHEn)

Dec 10, 2023 · 75 followers View post →
underground creepy-crawly state
@branewurms · X

@clitenvy @forestofcake @simpancier @richardsiken @coriolucy not sure what access you got https://t.co/5FJnCbW0WB https://t.co/QVCf1v74uZ https://t.co/RIsY8SQYDR https://t.co/d8gpHDyhHC https://t.co/Ok3U3jWVBH https://t.co/Vh7kBvFVBl https://t.co/Edzh26PG0U

Nov 28, 2023 · 898 followers View post →
♓ ♆ Kezinox ♆ ♓
@Kezinox · X

@QuinnGem @DevonshireDan1 @NoShirleyNo @MeghanEMurphy only the abstract of this study is publicly available, but even in the abstract they directly reference documenting women with paraphilias alongside men with paraphilias and finding that this is common in both sexes, even if moreso in males: https://t.co/api3G9Xqzk

Nov 17, 2023 · 227 followers View post →
♓ ♆ Kezinox ♆ ♓
@Kezinox · X

@NoShirleyNo @QuinnGem @DevonshireDan1 @MeghanEMurphy and the "recent evidence that challenges this assumption" cites these two review articles: https://t.co/oiIQKo8nvq https://t.co/oL8jseal5k

Nov 17, 2023 · 227 followers View post →
Verity A. Grimoire
@VStRX6 · X

@lolathepug1 @k_rad @Laura237856 @KatyMontgomerie @millihill @BBCNews @MForstater https://t.co/kgHqVmPgz6

Aug 25, 2023 · 10 followers View post →
Verity A. Grimoire
@VStRX6 · X

@millihill @lolathepug1 @k_rad @Laura237856 @KatyMontgomerie @BBCNews @MForstater https://t.co/kgHqVmPgz6

Aug 25, 2023 · 1 like · 10 followers View post →
Herbert Sammler von Daten
@herby210269 · X

@JohnDavisJDLLM First, sorry for my bad english! Here is the entire article in German: Pedophilia can also be female https://t.co/OIUXC77ofb derived from the canadian study What Exactly Is an Unusual Sexual Fantasy? https://t.co/dxEGiCfRr9 https://t.co/Z5TRWtDFf2

Mar 22, 2023 · 2 likes · 403 followers View post →
Jessica Hall
@jessicaluvscox · X

RT @mandy_autodomme: This sort of statement is exactly why I hid my fetishes. https://t.co/zrLngJLjZP

Feb 23, 2023 · 1 share · 27 followers View post →
Amanda
@mandy_autodomme · X

@ConfessaClub @kevondastreets https://t.co/zrLngJLjZP

Feb 21, 2023 · 3,531 followers View post →
Amanda
@mandy_autodomme · X

This sort of statement is exactly why I hid my fetishes. https://t.co/zrLngJLjZP https://t.co/toPw6Livb2

Feb 21, 2023 · 3 likes · 1 share · 3,531 followers View post →
Helen Mott
@_HelenMott_ · X

@VeraGrayF Is it this one? https://t.co/MnlWTFH0Mn

Dec 14, 2022 · 2,031 followers View post →
Jason Boudreault
@JasonBoudreaul5 · X

@HJoyceGender https://t.co/ft6X6ILRsh https://t.co/YFF2e3iD3v

Dec 10, 2022 · 136 followers View post →
starson777
@starson777 · X

@cherryyrosette @KingofBeasts89 Yes, because that's how statistical sample size works. This is a fairly common topic, you can find plenty of studies. For example, here is one with 1,517 participants, and some meta reviews. https://t.co/l29Qmy4KUX https://t.co/iGZSmY97OQ https://t.co/UaqzgS9s6j

May 23, 2022 · 1 like · 864 followers View post →
Alexis Correia
@alexiscorreia · X

La encuesta de Journal of Sexual Medicine que arrojó que 65% de las mujeres tienen fantasías sobre ser "dominadas" es de 2014. Desde allí hasta acá ha pasado un siglo. Pero de nuevo: nadie se puede meter en las fantasías de nadie. Allí somos 100% libres https://t.co/bJQnBjhtdc https://t.co/Nttqq06pXx

Mar 20, 2022 · 2 likes · 5,122 followers View post →
Jonny
@jonnyplasma4321 · X

@charlottecarso1 @ClaireHanna For a little context, Survey taken from the paper "What exactly is an unusual sexual fantasy?" University of Montreal. Maybe mom's copy of "50 shades" has more to do with this than just pornography? https://t.co/3lMcDDD8Vh

Nov 30, 2021 · 119 followers View post →
kass-less whisper ❤️ End OTW Racism
@amorxremanet · X

RT @JuliaSerano: ...this passage is from a 2015 study by Joyal et al., "What Exactly Is an Unusual Sexual Fantasy?", where they found that…

Aug 23, 2021 · 2 shares · 567 followers View post →
Julia Serano
@JuliaSerano · X

...this passage is from a 2015 study by Joyal et al., "What Exactly Is an Unusual Sexual Fantasy?", where they found that 30-60% of their sample experienced submissive fantasies (aka, they are not unusual at all). full PDF at this link: https://t.co/Om6aYAdNn9 https://t.co/Up2xNMnbw2

Aug 23, 2021 · 61 likes · 2 shares · 35,121 followers View post →
Marc Esadrian
@MarcEsadrian · X

@altarviolence I’m assuming you’re outing yourself as unsightly, then? No need: 65% of women fantasized about being dominated in the below study. If that sample rate is near accurate, that’s a lot of women. Some of them are bound to be average to very good looking. https://t.co/0AkRDR6HV7

Jul 29, 2021 · 1 like · 4,440 followers View post →
Voyeur de Animais Coloridos
@VColoridos · X

Joyal, C. C., Cossette, A., & Lapierre, V. (2015). What Exactly Is an Unusual Sexual Fantasy? The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 12(2), 328–340. doi:10.1111/jsm.12734 https://t.co/dpBhtkEuVr https://t.co/FAMRbr5BGd https://t.co/zbvbqhsTx0

Jun 15, 2021 · 37 likes · 8,491 followers View post →
پرهام بهشتی
@parhamdbfa · X

@Felicit78196996 https://t.co/Ir6qyq53Df

Apr 22, 2021 · 1 like · 4,215 followers View post →
jonasheitzer.bsky.social
@jonasheitzer · X

@TanjaSagt https://t.co/zMfpg2lEyf

Apr 7, 2021 · 127 followers View post →
hyper(bolic) disco(unting) girl
@hyperdiscogirl · X

@Aella_Girl @RestitutorOrbi5 https://t.co/3hzEKAKPuW In this survey, 33% of women and 65% of men expressed an interest in it. Assuming it was largely males who answered your survey that's not too far off, though there could be some selection bias here too

Mar 18, 2021 · 2 likes · 6,851 followers View post →
Lauri Nummenmaa
@LNummenmaa · X

Teaching can be so much fun as long as you choose your topics wisely: Todays @UniTurku epistle will be "What Exactly Is an Unusual Sexual Fantasy?" - one of my all-time fav papers! Good to see that most illegal practices are relatively rare desires! https://t.co/gVZxpQ0IEL https://t.co/4nmZTtVwag

Feb 16, 2021 · 1 like · 2,907 followers View post →
Unni Leino
@hwhcaia · X

@silvertoinen @Granaattiomena1 @p0mmiina No tuota. Hiukan alle kolmasosalla ihmisistä (31% naisista ja 29% miehistä) on seksifantasioita raiskatuksi tulemisesta (Joyal ym. 2015, What Exactly Is an Unusual Sexual Fantasy? Journal of Sexual Medicine). Ajatus ja todellisuus ovat näissä jutuissa kovin eri asioita.

Jan 20, 2020 · 1 like · 187 followers View post →
Quark, aspiring collared green
@Charm_Quark_ · X

@BecomeHerSlave The numbers for bondage and s/m are similar to this other study (I'm sure we discussed it at some point): https://t.co/jgHuyklJel Interestingly, this other study also asked about sexual power dynamics and found interest in them to be even more common than Bondage or S/M.

May 15, 2019 · 128 followers View post →
Sim
@shipcourse · X

@lostinthesaucem Oh it definitely does! It’s very slightly less common, but by no means rare. This is an interesting survey on it: https://t.co/Xoa7Lv73jf

Apr 12, 2019 · 1 like · 2,913 followers View post →
Domina Vontana DC
@DominaVontana · X

"Interestingly, the percentages of women and men fantasizing about homosexual activities significantly exceeded the percentages of declared bisexuality or homosexuality." #Sexualityisaspectrum #sexed #LGBTQIA #sexedsaveslives #gender #sexgeek #sexeducator https://t.co/LoybChn2IR

Mar 28, 2019 · 1 like · 1,733 followers View post →
Pandora / Blake
@pandorablake · X

@arvoddotcom @neil_neilzone @mxpanblake Thanks. It was Joyal et al 2015 https://t.co/pt3iiVVfmH

Feb 11, 2019 · 1 like · 16,065 followers View post →