A sex and relationships expert has issued a cautionary note as a rare and controversial fetish — one that blends fantasy with themes of consumption — is seeing a noticeable rise in interest among younger audiences online.

The fetish, known as vorarephilia or simply vore, describes an erotic fascination with the idea of consuming, or being consumed by, another person or creature. In its most recognizable form, it’s about being swallowed whole — an image more often found in fairy tales or cartoons than in the bedroom.

While it may sound shocking to those unfamiliar with kink subcultures, interest in vore has quietly but steadily grown in recent years. Niche online communities, specialized subreddits, and dedicated roleplay forums have become hubs for those curious about or actively exploring the fantasy. According to sex and relationship expert Hope Flynn, who spoke to the Daily Mail, anyone experimenting with vore in their private life should approach it with caution.

“Communicate openly, establish consent, and engage responsibly,” she advised, stressing that vore — like all sexual interests — should remain within the realm of consensual fantasy if pursued.

Online curiosity is on the rise

This surge in attention isn’t just anecdotal. Research led by specialist Rachel Thompson in collaboration with sex-positive platform Sensuali analyzed a staggering 160 million search terms to track the popularity of over 100 kinks over the last five years. The results revealed that Google searches for “vore” and “vorarephilia” have jumped by 26% in that time, as reported by LadBible.

A case report in the National Library of Medicine describes vore as an “infrequently presenting paraphilia” — in other words, an uncommon sexual interest — characterized by the desire to consume or be consumed by another person or creature. Despite its rarity, the fantasies tend to follow certain familiar patterns. People share them online through detailed written scenarios, illustrations, or immersive roleplay with others who share the fascination.

A spectrum of fantasy — from “soft” to “hard” vore

One since-deleted Reddit thread illustrated just how varied vore fantasies can be. In it, users spoke candidly about their thoughts, urges, and boundaries.

One man admitted he had long felt drawn to “eat” or “bite” his girlfriend — but in a purely soft vore sense, meaning it was about fantasy play with no real harm involved. Over time, his curiosity edged toward hard vore, a far more violent version of the fantasy that can involve destructive imagery. He was quick to clarify that he had no intention of acting out such urges in reality.

He described an occasional, almost animalistic compulsion to bite himself — his thumb, hand, or forearm — not for sexual gratification, but because it triggered a strange, primal sense of pleasure. This feeling, he said, sometimes left him unsettled. Other Reddit users responded with harm-reduction tips, suggesting he chew gum, use a mouthguard, or practice deep breathing to redirect the impulse.

Where vore fantasies come from

The roots of vore are as varied as the people who develop the interest. Some trace their fascination back to childhood exposure to fairy tales or animated shows where a character is eaten by a larger creature, often unharmed — think Jonah and the whale, or slapstick cartoons involving giant animals. Others are intrigued by the imagery of giants or snakes swallowing prey whole, or by the idea of total enclosure and loss of control.

One Reddit user recalled a childhood sleepover where they were rolled tightly in a blanket as part of a game. That confined, pressure-filled sensation later evolved into a sexualized form of the vore fantasy.

Flynn emphasizes that while the imagery can be extreme, vore remains a fantasy for most people who enjoy it.

“It doesn’t involve real harm. People might engage through art, stories, roleplay, or online discussions — the experience is about imagination, not reality,” she explained.

Pop culture’s role in normalizing the imagery

Some experts believe that mainstream media has played a subtle role in the fetish’s visibility. Films and series that romanticize vampires, or explore cannibalism in a fictional and stylized way, can create a gateway for curiosity about vore-like scenarios. While not directly sexual in those contexts, such portrayals can normalize the imagery for those who later integrate it into fantasy.

Still a niche — and controversial — interest

Despite its growing online footprint, vore remains a niche fetish. Its controversial nature means the community around it tends to be tight-knit and self-contained. Even within kink circles, vore can be divisive — some find it intriguing, others unsettling.

Flynn says the bottom line is personal preference:

“Some people find it appealing, and some don’t. The most important thing is to respect boundaries, ensure full consent, and engage responsibly when exploring adult interests.”

In other words, vore — like any unconventional fantasy — depends on the ability to keep it firmly rooted in consensual, imaginative play, with a clear understanding between all involved parties.