You might be a sapiosexual — here’s how to tell if you are.
There are numerous types of sexual orientation, some of which you might not be familiar with. A growing trend is heteroflexibility.
So, what exactly is heteroflexibility? It’s when someone who identifies as straight is more open, or flexible, to having experiences with individuals of the same sex.
As with all sexual orientations, it’s a spectrum. You could be someone who doesn’t entirely dismiss the idea of a same-sex encounter, or perhaps you lean more towards identifying as bisexual.
Another lesser-known sexual orientation is sapiosexuality.
Very Well Mind defines sapiosexuality as “a type of sexuality that involves being more attracted by the contents of a person’s mind than by the appearance of their body.”
The site further elaborates: “To feel sexually attracted to another person, a sapiosexual person must first feel intellectually stimulated. Intelligence is often the first quality a person notices in a potential partner.”
Sapiosexuality is inclusive and may apply to individuals of any gender or sexual orientation.
If you’re more impressed by someone’s mind than their looks, you might be sapiosexual. Enjoying deep conversations that allow both parties to express themselves clearly can indicate intelligence, which is attractive to sapiosexuals.
Additionally, if you value someone being well-read over having a perfect physique, it could be a sign. For some, intellectual engagement is far more appealing than physical appearance alone.
Another clue is in the type of dates you prefer. A quiet café or cozy bookstore where you can converse without distractions might be your ideal setting, suggesting sapiosexual tendencies.
In a 2023 interview with the Daily Mail, Psychiatrist and Medical Educator Dr. Ramya Mohan discussed the term sapiosexuality, noting its relatively recent emergence.
“[Sapiosexuality] is a relatively new terminology that has broad connotations based on context,” she mentioned. “It is a term that has become more colloquial over the past couple of years or so.”
Dr. Mohan added that sapiosexuality encompasses a wide range of interpretations, from preferring intelligence in relationships to a compelling and perhaps obsessive need for it above all other attributes.
Barbara Santini, a psychologist and sex advisor at Peaches and Screams, pointed out that while sapiosexuals prioritize intelligence, ‘physical attraction may still play a role in any relationship’.