Symbiosexual attraction: What it is and why it matters

Symbiosexuality describes attraction to the energy and dynamics shared by people already in a relationship, rather than simply to each person individually. In research published in Archives of Sexual Behavior, Seattle University researcher Sally Johnston explored accounts of this experience. Participants described being captivated by couples’ cohesion, complementary personalities, and shared emotional histories. Their accounts suggest that, for some, the bond between people can itself become a source of desire, challenging familiar assumptions about attraction.

A happy couple. Credit: Shutterstock
The concept differs from polyamory, which concerns openness to or participation in multiple consensual relationships, rather than what sparks attraction. Johnston also examined stigma surrounding people called “unicorns,” who join existing couples and may face unequal expectations or treatment. Attraction to a couple does not erase anyone’s need for autonomy, respect, or care. While this research explores an emerging concept, its human message is clear: people drawn to shared chemistry deserve recognition, not reduction to someone else’s fantasy.