Your Weird Sexual Fetish Isn't Actually That Weird

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If you have Ursusagalmatophilia, you're not so weird. You're just weird if you know what that word actually means. As for the fetish: according to a recent study published in The Journal of Sex Research, a lot of people are into a lot of weird things. Take solace in that. Weirdo.

A survey conducted on 1,040 Quebec residents of various ages and backgrounds showed that nearly half of respondents were into at least one sexual activity deemed "paraphilic," which means they reported getting aroused by atypical objects, situations, or individuals. And about a third of respondents had already acted out these fantasies in real life.

Interest in voyeurism, fetishism, frotteurism, and masochism was reported by both males and females alike at levels above what is considered "statistically unusual," bringing into question what actually constitutes "normal" sexual behavior. Speaking to The Independent, study author Professor Christian Joyal had this to say:

"These facts suggest that we need to know what normal sexual practices are before we label a legal sexual interest as anomalous. Some paraphilic interests are more common than people might think, not only in terms of fantasies but also in terms of desire and behavior."

Although the study was only conducted on (apparently kinky) people from Quebec, Joyal pointed out that he has "Reasons to believe that this study's results can be applied to the population of North America and Europe as well." Not sure what those reasons are, but it's nice to think no one is alone in sexual deviance.

Still though, this is not an excuse to bring out your naughty teddy bear during foreplay. Ya know, unless everyone is totally cool with it.

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Kara King is a News Writer at Thrillist and doesn't own a teddy bear. Send news tips to news@thrillist.com and follow her at @karatillie.