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Human sexuality is complex, diverse, and multifaceted. One topic that often generates curiosity (and confusion) is the concept of fetishes. A fetish is an inanimate object or non-sexual part of the body that arouses sexual desire.

The term fetish has become fairly mainstream. For example, foot fetishes are the most common and openly talked about. However, people’s understanding of what constitutes a fetish and when it becomes a problem has lagged behind.

Fetishes are a normal variation of human sexual expression. The truth is that a fetish is only a problem when the fixation interferes with your life or causes undue suffering to you or those around you. An example of this might be a person who is no longer sexually attracted to their partner and can only be aroused by the sight of a fetish object.

Fetishes come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the foot fetish mentioned above to a penchant for leather, rubber, or certain aspects of BDSM practices.

However, it’s not so much the content of the fetish that should be cause for concern; rather, it’s when that fetish takes over a person’s life and affects their relationships that they are considered problematic.

Types of Fetishes

There are all sorts of objects or situations that a person might develop a fetish for, whether it’s part of a diagnosable fetish disorder or simply a personal preference that doesn’t cause any distress or harm. Fetishes often fall into a few common categories, such as:

Body Parts

• Certain body parts, such as feet (foot fetish or podophilia), navels, legs, mouth, nails, armpits, etc.
• Certain kinds of hair or body hair

Body Features or Fluids

• Body modifications such as tattoos or piercings.
• Urophilia (sexual interest in activities involving urination)
• Coprophilia or scatophilia (activities involving feces)
• Lactophilia (lactating breasts)
• Menophilia (activities involving menstrual blood)
• Mucophilia (sexual interest in sneezing)

Clothing or Materials

• Certain items of clothing such as stockings or skirts, or undergarments
• Rubber or leather
• Footwear or specific kinds of shoes or boots

Non-Sexual Objects

• Less common objects such as stethoscopes, pacifiers, or diapers
• Necrophilia or only having sexual interest in dead bodies

Fetishes vs. Kinks

It is also important to recognize that while the word fetish is sometimes used interchangeably with kink. However, the two are not the same.

Why People Have Them

Experts aren’t really sure why fetishes develop (or why specific types of fetishes form) because there hasn’t been much research exploring how they develop. Despite that, researchers do have a few different theories. Biological, cultural, emotional, and social factors may all play a role.

French psychologist Alfred Binet was the first to use the term fetish in an erotic context in 1887. At the time, it was suspected that fetishes took hold through an arousing experience with an object during childhood.

Indeed, research has shown that it is possible to condition people to become aroused by objects like boots, suggesting that a fetish is a learned process.

Some research has indicated that people who report having fetishes are more likely to use drugs and alcohol and experience lower levels of life satisfaction. However, it’s important to remember that most people with a sexual fetish are able to integrate it into their sex life and don’t experience detrimental effects, distress, or impairments in functioning.

Another study found that people with sexual fetishes are more likely to have lower self-esteem and weaker interpersonal relationships. However, the study also found that these individuals had better social adjustment and self-confidence, possibly due to acceptance within supportive communities with similar interests.

When Is a Fetish a Problem?

A sexual or erotic fetish can be defined as an extreme sexual fixation on an object or body part. The object of the fixation is called the fetish, and the person with the fetish is called a fetishist.

The DSM-5 lists three criteria for this disorder, which falls into the category of paraphilic disorders (others in this category include voyeuristic and exhibitionistic disorders).

• The first criterion: Over a six-month period, you must have experienced sexual urges that were focused on a non-genital body part or a non-living object. This must be manifested by fantasies, urges, or behaviors.
• The second criterion: The fantasies, urges, or behaviors that you are having have caused you significant distress or impaired your ability to go about your daily life.
• The third criterion: The object cannot be clothing that you use for cross dressing and it cannot be a stimulation device like a vibrator. So, feeling urges to dress in women’s clothes or to use a vibrator does not constitute a fetish.

The DSM-5 also has specifiers for the disorder, which are ways of further narrowing down the specifics of what you are experiencing. These include the following:

• Whether the arousal is to a specific body part, such as someone’s feet or hair. This is also known as partialism.
• Whether the arousal is to non-living objects such as shoes or undergarments.

On the other hand, if these criteria are not met, then a fetish can simply refer to what we mean by this in layman’s terms—that is, having a sexual interest in specific activities or objects that you find enjoyable but that don’t cause you or anyone else any distress.

Treatments for Fetisishm

When a fetish is a disorder, it can lead to illegal activity, loss of interest in usual sexual activities, and poor relationships. In these cases, treatment for the fetish is warranted to reduce reliance on the fetish and increase interest in acceptable stimuli.

Below are the typical treatments that may be used.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) methods such as aversion therapy, orgasmic reconditioning, and covert conditioning may be used for fetishes.

• In aversion therapy, thoughts of the fetish are paired with an aversive stimulus, such as an electric shock.
• During covert sensitization, a person engages in a fantasy about the fetish and then imagines some negative outcome, such as their whole family walking in while they are engaged in the fetish. However, this is only one example; the negative outcome would vary depending on what the person finds most negative and/or humiliating.
• During orgasmic reconditioning, people are asked to switch their thoughts about the fetish to something more acceptable (like their partner) just before orgasm. It’s believed that this will reinforce acceptable sexual interest.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Given the fact that there are theories that fetishes originate in some connection during childhood, it’s not surprising that some therapists may use psychodynamic techniques to work with the unconscious when unraveling fetishes.

Medication

Medications such as antiandrogens (to lower sex drive and reduce sexual fantasies) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (to improve mood) may be used for disordered fetishes. However, some medications can have significant side effects that must be considered.

Incorporating a Fetish Into Your Relationship

Some couples may find that they want to work on making the fetish part of their relationship instead of getting rid of it altogether. For something like a foot fetish, this might mean incorporating foot massage or other enjoyable activities into your sexual relationship.

Relationship counseling or couples therapy can help couples work on improving communication about a fetish that they want to keep but manage as part of their relationship.

Takeaways

A fetish might become a problem if it crosses the line from a part-time fantasy to a full-time obsession. A common sign to watch for is being unable to become sexually interested in anything unless it involves the fetish object or situation.

If you are struggling, it’s important to reach out for help, no matter how embarrassing that may feel. In particular, if you are the spouse or partner of someone with a destructive fetish that is ruining your relationship, know that help is available.

It seems like dopamine is on everyone’s mind these days, literally and figuratively. This neurotransmitter, sometimes referred to as the brain’s “feel-good chemical,” has been the focus of everything from dopamine dressing (wearing clothes that make you feel good) to dopamine detoxes (restricting pleasurable activities to focus on healthier options) to dopamine menus (self-care activities that spark joy).

However, dopamine’s effects on mental health go beyond just boosting mood. It’s a key neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a role in many bodily functions, including regulating motivation, attention, reward, and movement.

A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that transmits signals in the body. It also acts as a hormone.

Dopamine Is a Part of Our Brain’s Reward Center

While dopamine is often referred to as the “pleasure chemical,” this is a misnomer, as dopamine doesn’t actually produce pleasure. It does, however, reinforce feelings of pleasure by connecting sensations of pleasure to certain behaviors. 

“It’s a feel-good chemical,” says Tanya J. Peterson, NCC, DAIS, a mental health educator. “It’s part of our reward center, and when our brain produces dopamine in response to what we do, we feel good and want to do more of whatever it is that’s making us feel so mentally healthy. That, in turn, leads to even more dopamine production.”

Fight-or-Flight Responses

Dopamine is also present in fight-or-flight responses. When experiencing a perceived threat, real or imagined, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is activated, triggering the release of dopamine and other catecholamines, which help in responding to stress.

Dopamine is produced at a number of different sites in the brain, says James Giordano, MD, MPhil, professor of neurology and biochemistry at Georgetown University Medical Center, including the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, the pituitary gland, and in pathways of the hypothalamus.

The Role of Dopamine in the Body

Dopamine has a direct impact on many neurological, cognitive, and behavioral functions within the body, says Dr. Giordano, including:

• Arousal
• Movement
• Regulation of certain hormones and glands
• Reinforcement and reward
• Thoughts and emotions

Dopamine affects everything from the way we think and move to the way we remember and behave. However, everyone experiences dopamine differently.

How You Might Feel With Low Dopamine Levels

With dopamine deficiency, you could experience any number of symptoms, such as:

• Anxiety
• Constipation
• Difficulty sleeping
• Hallucinations
• Loss of balance
• Low energy
• Low sex drive
• Mood swings
• Muscle cramps
• Tremors
• Weight change

A lack of dopamine might feel like being forgetful, anxious, inattentive, withdrawn, and emotionally numb. You might also have stomach issues and coordination problems.

How You Might Feel With High Dopamine Levels

While low dopamine can create issues, excessive amounts can sometimes be too much of a good thing. High dopamine levels can lead to some positive feelings, like having lots of energy, but it can also have negative effects. If your dopamine levels are too high, you might feel:

• Aggressive
• Energized
• Euphoric
• Impulsive
• Interested in sex
• Unable to sleep

Dopamine’s Role in Mental Health 

When you have a dopamine disorder, you may experience a decline in neurocognitive functions, which relates to your memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities.

Like the neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps regulate mood, dopamine is involved in many psychological illnesses. Abnormally functioning dopamine receptors play a role in some health and mental health disorders. 

Parkinson’s Disease

Decreased levels of dopamine can occur in certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, wherein the nerve cells responsible for producing and releasing dopamine are dying, Dr. Giordano explains.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Studies have shown that people with ADHD often experience dopamine disruptions, which may impact traits like inattention and impulsivity. Individuals with ADHD may experience reward and motivation deficits, making them unable to modify their behavior to adapt to changing reward conditions.

Schizophrenia 

Schizophrenia is associated with changes in brain dopamine receptors, as well as dopamine signaling pathways. The antipsychotic drugs that are often used to treat schizophrenia work by acting as dopamine antagonists, which can help some people better manage their symptoms. 

Substance Use Disorder and Addiction

Dopamine-triggered conditioned responses that result from certain behaviors, such as drinking alcohol, smoking, or gambling, can lead to addiction. Why some people struggle with addiction more than others could be due to preexisting differences in dopamine circuits.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

MDD is one of the most common mental health disorders and dopamine deficiency can lead to anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure, which is often a symptom of MDD.

‘Decreased dopamine function can occur following stress and in certain types of depressive disorders,’ says Dr. Giordano. Decreased effectiveness in dopamine metabolism and signaling can produce signs and symptoms such as:

• Loss of energy
• Diminished appetite
• Cravings for fatty and/or sweet foods
• Decreased desire for—and enjoyment of—various activities
• Changes in libido

In such cases, Dr. Giordano explains, people may be treated with antidepressant drugs, which can prolong the effect of available dopamine at its receptor sites, and in this way, amplify dopamine-mediated effects to reduce such signs and symptoms. 

Medications That Affect Dopamine Levels

Certain medications can be used to help balance dopamine levels in the brain. The type of medication that is prescribed might elevate or inhibit dopamine action depending on the nature of the condition it is treating.

Dopamine Agonists

Dopamine agonists are medications that mimic dopamine and activate dopamine receptors. Such medications may treat Parkinson’s disease, depression, ADHD, low sex drive, hyperprolactinemia, and restless legs syndrome.

Examples of dopamine agonists include:

• Dostinex (cabergoline)
• Miraprex (pramipexole)
• Requip (ropinirole)

Dopamine Antagonists

Dopamine antagonists are drugs that bind to dopamine receptors to block the action of dopamine in the brain. Such medications may be used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They can also treat nausea and vomiting.

Examples of dopamine antagonists include:

• Abilify (aripiprazole)
• Geodon (ziprasidone)
• Reglan (metoclopramide)
• Risperdal (risperidone)
• Zyprexa (olanzapine)

Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors

Dopamine reuptake inhibitors are drugs that block dopamine from being reabsorbed by nerve cells. Because of this, it can increase dopamine levels in the brain. Such medications may treat depression, binge eating disorder, and narcolepsy. These drugs may also be used to help people overcome addictions.

Examples of dopamine reuptake inhibitors:

• Cogentin (benztropine)
• Provigil (modafinil)
• Wellbutrin (bupropion)

Natural Ways to Balance Dopamine Levels 

Dopamine levels are difficult to monitor since they occur in the brain, but there are ways to balance your dopamine levels without medication. The best way to balance your dopamine levels is to focus on healthy habits. 

If you’re overindulging in certain dopamine-producing activities like sex, technology, or gambling, you’ll want to take intentional breaks, but if you’re having trouble concentrating, feeling unmotivated or tired, then you’ll want to take steps to try to increase your dopamine production. 

Consume Nutritious Foods

“The nutrients in certain foods travel to the brain and contribute to dopamine production,” says Peterson. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, can increase dopamine production. 

Peterson also recommends protein, including lean meats, fish, beans, and plant-based protein, as well as foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, mackerel, oysters, ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. 

Research has shown that consuming the amino acid tyrosine can also increase dopamine availability. Tyrosine can be found in a number of dietary sources, including:

• Almonds
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Cheese
• Chicken
• Fish
• Milk
• Soy products
• Turkey
• Yogurt

Exercise Regularly 

Taking a short walk, practicing yoga, dancing in your kitchen, or doing an at-home workout can help produce healthy dopamine levels. Exercising also improves sleep habits, which also supports balanced dopamine levels. 

“Do any physical activity that you enjoy. Forcing yourself to do something you hate just for the sake of exercise may bring physical benefits, but for the full mental health benefit associated with dopamine in particular, choose movement that you find pleasurable,” says Peterson.

Celebrate the Small Moments

“Doing something small that you enjoy and purposefully connecting that act to an accomplishment or something wonderful you notice tells your brain that something great is going on and that you’re driving it,” says Peterson. 

This could include something as simple as noticing flowers in the garden, listening to your favorite song, smelling coffee beans, or blowing bubbles. This will kick up dopamine production, Peterson explains, and you’ll get a mental health boost that lasts. 

Takeaways

If you’re concerned about your dopamine levels, speak to your primary care doctor. Because dopamine plays such an integral role in the body and brain, it’s important to address the imbalance. Just know that many people experience imbalanced dopamine levels, but these can be easily adjusted.