One thing that really defines us as an individual is our sexuality. It is something that has also been discussed recently in ways that it had never been discussed before.
When you think about our sexual orientation, it may have to do more with our emotions and desires than most people ever realized.
Having a full understanding of your own sexuality is something that can also be influenced by external factors, including upbringing and environment.
This is where something that is unexpected has now come into the scene. It is a type of sexuality known as symbiosexualism, and some experts are now rethinking their ideas of what human sexuality really is.
When you look back on human history, love triangles have always been a part of it. Scientists now feel that this is more than just a passing theme, it may be a new type of sexuality altogether.
At the University of Seattle, researchers are now identifying symbiosexualism as those who are attracted to the energy that exists between an established couple. Rather than being attracted to the energy that may exist between them and another person, they become part of one of these love triangles.
More specifically, the Archives of Sexual Behavior from the 2023
'The Pleasure Study' defined as 'attraction to the energy, multidimensionality, and power shared between people in relationships'
In that study, 373 participants were asked about their gender or sexual identity. It found that a large portion of those in the study were attracted to the 'synergy' of being the third person in the mix of others who were romantically attracted
Dr. Sally Johnson, an adjunct professor of anthropology and sociology who was part of the study said: "We need to rethink the nature of human attraction and desire as only one-to-one experiences."
When looking further, they determined that there was a lack of recognition and validation for this attraction that could even exist within the polyamorous community and sometimes led to the third person being mistreated.
Dr. Johnson said that these findings might 'push the boundaries of the concepts of desire and sexual orientation in sexuality studies and challenge the ongoing invisibility and invalidation of and stigma and discrimination against such attractions.'
After the study was conducted, participants were interviewed so that they could better understand why this type of sexuality was better used to describe their feelings. One participant said that it was due to their 'cohesiveness.'
She went on to say: "You feed off their energy, their attraction to each other...there's an interplay between the couple."
Another participant said: "I also just want to be smack in the middle of that relationship. I would also like to be included in this relationship... I really think my ideal dynamic might be myself and a couple."