‘Hamstering’ is the new sex trend going viral

TikTok has given us no shortage of wild trends, but the latest one to leave people simultaneously baffled and amused is something called hamstering—yes, it’s as odd as it sounds.

The concept blends public antics, sexual experimentation, and a dash of automotive gymnastics. It goes like this: one partner is perched atop a car, naked from the waist down and sticking through the sunroof, while the other partner is inside the car performing oral sex. The term “hamstering” references the awkward angle at which hamsters drink water from a spout—head tilted up, tongue extended—mimicking the visual dynamic of this sunroof-based encounter.

While it may sound like something straight out of a late-night comedy sketch, this risqué act has gained real traction online. TikTok users are posting reactions, mock tutorials, and, in some cases, vague hints that they’ve tried it themselves.

Sex columnist Zachary Zane told Mashable the trend was new even to him, though he acknowledged its novelty appeal. “I bet a few very adventurous people are now trying it out and seeing if it’s feasible,” he said. And feasibility, as it turns out, is the sticking point.

According to Zane and other experts, executing this move requires a surprising amount of physical coordination. The person on the roof needs serious core strength, balance, and probably a tolerance for cool breezes and potential scratches from the sunroof. The partner inside the car doesn’t have it much easier—contorting to meet the angle required makes comfort a major challenge.

Sex educators Amy Baldwin and April Lampert also chimed in, noting that it’s unlikely either participant is prioritizing actual pleasure here. “The giver will likely have to contort their body and neck in a way that may be really uncomfortable and unsustainable,” they explained. “This might require taking breaks just to avoid a stiff neck—or worse.”

So why is it trending? Probably not for the thrill of orgasm, but for the thrill of story. It’s a TikTok-era badge of experimentation—something that sounds outrageous enough to earn attention, whether or not it’s repeated.

Still, if both partners are in on the absurdity, there’s room for some laughter and novelty. “This isn’t about creating the perfect sexual experience,” Baldwin said. “It’s about being playful and trying something completely ridiculous.”

And while most experts seem to agree that hamstering is more of a dare than a desirable activity, there’s one unanimous word of advice for anyone even considering it: Put the car in park.