As thick fog disrupts the morning commute, a specific group of people may feel more aroused than usual. Nebulophiliacs have an erotic interest in fog, mist, steam, smoke, and other hazy, low-visibility atmospheres, and certified sexologist Angie Rowntree says the interest is gaining traction on her female-centric porn site Sssh.com.
What is nebulophilia?
Kink expert and author of Kink Curious, Gigi Engle, tells Metro that nebulophilia is being turned on by 'mist, clouds and other atmospheric things'. 'It's where you become super aroused by the sensation of mist or seeing clouds of fog or smoke,' she explains. 'It can have to do with the ambience or whimsy and romanticism of clouds and mist.'
'It's highly sensory and visual. It doesn't mean you're attracted to clouds or mist, but mostly it's the atmosphere that features as an arousal component,' she adds.
Pop culture's role
Lovehoney's sex expert Annabelle Knight agrees, telling Metro: 'They tend to evoke strong emotions, and fog and mist are often used in media to evoke these.' Popular culture has given fog, steam, and mist their sexual charge, with examples like Leonardo DiCaprio's hand pressing against a fogged-up car window in Titanic or Mr Darcy striding through morning mist in Pride and Prejudice.
Gigi notes that any nebulophiliac would have 'loved' Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi's portrayal of Wuthering Heights, where heavy mist and fog across the Yorkshire moors serve as a metaphor for the untamed passions of Catherine and Heathcliff. Annabelle adds that steam is used similarly, pointing to steamy shower scenes in media.
Why fog feels intimate
Gigi explains that misty, cloudy weather can create a sense of isolation from the outside world. 'When it's like misty, cloudy and rainy, it's usually an indicator that the weather isn't good,' she says. 'So, situationally you're stuck in the house, which is an opportunity to have a lot of intimate time. It interlinks.'
Angie echoes this, describing how waking to a fog-wrapped world can feel sensual: 'You wake after a night of gentle rain to find the world outside wrapped in fog. The street has vanished, the air feels charged with mystery, and suddenly that small bubble of visibility seems made for you and your lover and whatever deliciously naughty things you might do within it.'
Experimenting safely
Gigi says nebulophilia is more common than people might realise and 'pretty easy one to experiment with'. Starting with shower sex is an option, though Annabelle warns: 'Having sex in steam means you're having sex in a hot environment, so you need to be careful not to overexert yourself as you could pass out.'
Annabelle adds that people 'shouldn't be ashamed' if foggy weather arouses them, and suggests explaining feelings to a partner rather than using the term nebulophilia, as they may not be familiar with the concept. With foggy autumn mornings ahead, the options for experimenting are plentiful.
