Symbiosexuality: The Latest Frontier in Sexual Attraction?
Love, lust, and longing—human attraction has always been a fascinating puzzle, and now, there’s a new piece to the puzzle: symbiosexuality.
Coined by Dr. Sally W. Johnston of Seattle University, this term describes an attraction not to individuals, but to the energy and dynamic shared by couples or relationships.
Picture this: someone sees a couple’s strong connection, their synergy, and instead of being drawn to just one person, they’re captivated by the entire relationship. That’s the essence of symbiosexuality.
But What Does It Really Mean?
Symbiosexuals are all about connection—not just any connection, but the multidimensional energy between people in a relationship.
As Dr. Johnston puts it, these individuals are “drawn to the interplay and emotional bond shared between partners.”
This isn’t just a craving for love triangles or polyamory, though there are overlaps. Symbiosexuality is more about admiring—or even wanting to be part of—the relationship itself.
The Backstory: Where Did This Idea Come From?
Dr. Johnston’s work started with The Pleasure Study, which surveyed over 370 people about unconventional desires.
Among them, nearly 40% admitted to being attracted to couples, not individuals, and this sparked a deeper dive into the phenomenon.
Interviews with 34 participants revealed fascinating insights: many described feeling “smack in the middle” of these dynamics and longing for the validation and intimacy that couples exude.
For example, a participant named Angel shared how couples “bring care and affection upfront,” making their dynamic irresistible.
Another, Sage, revealed a desire to be included in such relationships, drawn to their cohesiveness and emotional depth.
A New Take on Desire?
Symbiosexuality challenges traditional notions of attraction, which often focus on individuals’ looks, personality, or shared interests.
Instead, this orientation elevates the bond between people as the main point of fascination.
This has opened up a larger conversation about how human attraction can go beyond just individual traits to focus on relational dynamics.
What Sets Symbiosexuals Apart?
Most identify as extroverted, non-jealous, and open to non-monogamy.
However, symbiosexual attraction isn’t limited to polyamory—it can exist in monogamous settings too.
For many, it’s less about wanting to “steal” a partner and more about admiring or immersing in the energy between them.
Why Now?
This term is emerging as society grows more accepting of diverse sexual identities.
As people explore new ways to define themselves, symbiosexuality is finding its place alongside labels like pansexuality and asexuality.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Symbiosexuality may be new, but it’s gaining traction as an accepted form of attraction.
It’s even popping up in pop culture—from love triangles in Gossip Girl to dynamics in Tiger King.
Researchers believe this isn’t a passing trend but a shift in how we think about relationships and desire
The Hook: Could This Be You?
Have you ever been captivated by a couple’s connection rather than any one person?
Do you find the shared energy between people more alluring than individual traits?
If yes, you might just be symbiosexual.
This groundbreaking study reveals that attraction is far more complex than we thought.
Whether it’s love, admiration, or curiosity, one thing’s for sure—relationships just got a whole lot more fascinating.
So, the next time you catch yourself admiring that couple across the room, maybe it’s not just envy. Maybe it’s symbiosexuality calling your name.