Olfactophilia

Olfactophilia is a paraphilia characterized by an attraction to smells and odors emanating from the body, especially the sexual areas. Olfactophiles find these scents sexually arousing and may engage in behaviors such as sniffing underwear or other worn clothing. The term comes from the Latin olfactus, meaning to smell, and the Greek philia, meaning love.

Definition

Olfactophilia is a specific type of olfactory fetishism, which refers to sexual arousal that is triggered by smells. The smells that olfactophiles find arousing can come from many different sources, but they are typically body odors. These can include the natural smell of a person's skin, the smell of their sweat, or the smell of their sexual fluids.

Causes

The exact cause of olfactophilia is not known, but it is thought to be related to the powerful connection between smell and memory. Smells can trigger strong emotional responses, and for some people, these responses can be sexual in nature. It is also possible that olfactophilia is related to the natural human instinct to use smell as a way of choosing a mate.

Treatment

Treatment for olfactophilia is typically not necessary unless the behavior is causing distress or harm to the individual or others. If treatment is sought, it may involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help the individual to understand and change their sexual behaviors.

See also

• Paraphilia
• Fetishism
• Sexual fetishism

References

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