Episode 44: The Science of Kink, BDSM, and Fetishes

There are a lot of things people get wrong about kink, including the idea it’s inherently rooted in trauma and mental illness, that it’s abusive, and that kinky people can’t develop healthy relationships. That’s why this episode of the Sex and Psychology Podcast is all about the science of kink, BDSM, and fetishes! I interviewed Dr. Richard Sprott, who studies identity development, health, and well-being in alternative sexualities and non-traditional relationships. He currently teaches at California State University, East Bay and he is co-author of the book Sexual Outsiders: Understanding BDSM Sexualities and Communities. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include: What’s the difference between kink, BDSM, and fetishes anyway? How common are kinky sexual interests? What is the link between kink and mental health? What’s the truth about how kink and sexual trauma are connected? In what ways can kink be healthy, or even therapeutic? Where do kinky sexual interests come from? Do they run in families? Do kinky sexual interests change with age? How should we think about kink—is it a sexual orientation or a leisure activity? To learn more about Richard and his work, visit tashra.org *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.