Sexuality & Relationships - Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings

Gisele Pelicot: A Hymn to Life

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000

If you are unfamiliar with the story of Gisele Pelicot, prepare yourself. It’s mind boggling.

I’ve followed this story since it first made it to the US news cycle from France.

The Reader’s Digest Version is: Ms. Pelicot’s (ex) husband had been drugging her, assaulting her, and inviting other men into their home to assault her as well.

Even more astonishing is how she found out about her abuse. Her husband was arrested for a crime related to voyeurism. This led the authorities to find videos taken of the assaults of his unconscious wife.

The story is abhorrent. The behavior is egregious. But Gisele Pelicot is a marvel.

The story first made world news because of the abuse she suffered. She, however, changed the narrative and took her power back.

As professionals, our time is valuable. Dr. Weeks created the Mitigation Aide Research Archive because there isn’t enough focused, data-backed research available in easily digestible formats.

Normally, in France, these trials are closed so no one from the public sees the evidence. This is normally done to protect the victims. Gisele Pelicot said no. She opened the trial to the public.

She refused to carry the shame of her abusers.

So, she sat there for the trial of an incomprehensible number of men. The videos of these men assaulting her were played in public. She made the abusers watch with her in the room. She refused to carry the shame and became an ICON and an inspiration to others who have been sexually abused.

When A Hymn to Life came out, I read it immediately.

This is her story.

How she came to learn of being the victim of such horrible abuse and what she went through during the time from discovery through the trial.

It is a beautiful book.

I know how weird that sounds. How can a story about a woman’s journey through the most horrific experience be beautiful?

It just is.

It is real and raw and does not gloss over the emotional conflict of loving someone who perpetrates unimaginable harm to you.

Why I recommend A Hymn to Life by Gisele Pelicot

It is an inspiration to survivors of sexual abuse.
It is a brave and compelling story.
For the partners of my clients who have sexually offended, it is the only book I have ever read that articulates the struggle of coming to grips with your partner doing something so egregious that you knew nothing about.

Are you a professional looking to stay up-to-date with the latest information on, sex addiction, trauma, and mental health news and research? Or maybe you’re looking for continuing education courses? stay up-to-date with all of Dr. Jen’s work through her practice’s newsletter!

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Struggling with excessive sexual thoughts, urges, or activities that are causing you distress? Take the free, online Sexual Symptom Assessment Scale (SSAS) and get a link to share with your therapist.

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Female Arousal & Rough Content: The Surprising Science

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The cultural landscape of the last decade has been defined by a curious paradox. While societal conversations around consent and safety have become more robust, “dark romance” literature and narratives centered on dominance and submission—exemplified by the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon—have exploded in popularity among women. This trend raises a central question for researchers: Why do narratives involving dominance, submission, and even non-consensual scenarios remain a primary driver of female media consumption?

A 2026 study published in The Journal of Sex Research by von Andrian-Werburg et al. provides a groundbreaking look at this phenomenon. Moving beyond outdated stereotypes, the researchers utilized a “biopsychosocial” approach to analyze data from 571 women, seeking to understand what actually predicts arousal when it comes to “rough” content.

Women Are Consuming the “Rough Content” Differently

While men traditionally consume more pornography overall, data suggests that when women engage with sexual media, they often gravitate toward more intense categories. Statistics from Pornhub indicate that women are 34% more likely than men to watch hardcore content, 30% more likely to view bondage, and 29% more likely to watch gangbang scenarios.

However, a significant “modality gap” exists. Women are notably more likely than men to prefer written pornography—ranging from commercial romance novels to “Slash Fiction.” This preference is likely rooted in evolutionary parental investment strategies. Unlike the instrumental, visual nature of video pornography, narrative forms allow for the development of interpersonal context. For women, who historically prioritize traits signaling partner commitment and resource security, the “meaning” behind an encounter provided by a story is often more arousing than purely visual cues.

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Debunking the “Biological Clock” Narrative

Traditional Evolutionary Psychology, specifically Sexual Strategies Theory (SST), often suggests that an interest in aggressive sexual content might indicate a “fast life-history strategy”—a biological orientation toward higher reproductive output in unstable environments.

The 2026 study explicitly challenges this. Researchers found that biological and life-history indicators—specifically the “K-factor” (a measure of life-history strategy), the onset of menarche (age of first menstruation), and the participant’s age—did not significantly predict arousal to non-consensual stimuli. This directly contradicts previous findings (such as Salmon et al., 2019) that sought to pathologize these preferences as biological survival strategies.

Furthermore, the study established a vital baseline that is often lost in media sensationalism: across the entire sample, the consensual stimulus elicited stronger sexual arousal (M = 2.83) than the rape stimulus (M = 2.60). As the researchers concluded:

“The data indicate that most women report greater arousal following the stimulus depicting a masculine, emotionally attentive partner.”

The Power of the “Script”: How Past Media Shapes Future Arousal

One of the study’s most significant findings involves a “disordinal interaction” regarding previous media exposure. The researchers applied the “Acquisition, Activation, and Application Model (3AM)” to explain how sexual socialization occurs.

Under this model, “Activation” refers to making previously learned mental “scripts” more salient. The data revealed that women who had previously consumed violent pornography reported significantly higher arousal to the rape stimulus. Crucially, this exposure had no effect on their arousal levels during the consensual scenario. This suggests a “specialization” of desire; repeated engagement with “rough” content may create specific mental scripts where these scenarios are “Applied” as familiar and, eventually, sexually arousing within a fictional context.

Are you exploring your trauma? Do you feel your childhood experiences were detrimental to your current mental or physical health? Utilize this free, validated, self-report questionnaire to find out.

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The Complex Role of “Rape Myth Acceptance”

The study also explored “Rape Myth Acceptance” (RMA)—the endorsement of societal beliefs that suggest women “ask for” assault or that rape is impossible if a woman resists. The data showed that higher RMA was associated with greater arousal across both consensual and non-consensual stimuli.

This suggests that RMA may simply be a proxy for general sexual responsiveness or openness. For some, these beliefs may serve as a “psychological distance” or a protective shield, allowing them to interpret aggressive fictional scenarios as “rough but consensual.” Central to this is what researchers call the “naturalistic fallacy”:

“Often based on the naturalistic fallacy… for example, the unfounded/mistaken idea that the male sex drive is ‘uncontrollable’ – these beliefs represent a flawed rationale that can be used to justify or excuse rape perpetration.”

The researchers also noted that the presence of alcohol in erotic narratives can further blur these lines of consent, feeding into the “implied consent” psychological shield that some viewers use to navigate problematic content.

Subjective vs. Reflexive Arousal: Why the Body and Mind Disagree

A vital distinction for any sexuality researcher is the difference between “affective sexual arousal” (the subjective feeling of being “turned on”) and physiological responses, such as vaginal lubrication.

The study emphasizes that physical responses are often “non-specific” protective reflexes. The female body may prepare for penetration—regardless of the mind’s evaluation of the partner’s character—as a biological mechanism to prevent physical injury during a potential assault. This “protective reflex” means that physiological arousal in a research lab or while reading a book does not equate to genuine desire or a real-world wish for harm.

Are you a Licensed Professional Counselor seeking engaging, unique Continuing Education courses? Dr. Weeks offers accredited courses on her practice website on the effects of Pornography Abstinence and other unique topics!

Summary: Toward a Multifaceted Understanding of Desire

The findings suggest a “multifaceted etiology” for female pornography preferences. They are not the result of a single biological drive or a “fast” reproductive strategy. Instead, they represent a complex intersection of social conditioning, narrative context, and individual sexual responsiveness.

As a researcher, I find the future of this field both promising and fraught. As generative AI begins to personalize erotic narratives, we must consider the ethical implications of “scripts” written specifically for the individual. How will our understanding of the darker aspects of human desire shift when technology can perfectly mirror—and perhaps reinforce—our most private, complicated psychological landscapes?

If you’d like to read the research yourself, it’s available here for free.

Chemsex Interventions Succeed by Not Targeting Drug Use

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:01:18 +0000

The Search for Solutions

“Chemsex,” the use of psychoactive drugs to enhance sex, is a recognized public health concern due to its association with increased risks of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

In response, a range of programs, from counseling to medication, have been developed to address these risks. The common assumption is that the primary goal of these programs is to help individuals reduce or stop the drug use associated with chemsex.

However, a major new systematic review and meta-analysis that synthesized the results of 12 different studies challenges this assumption, revealing a more nuanced and surprising picture of what “success” actually looks like in this area.

Takeaway #1: Chemsex Interventions Target a Specific Risk, Not the Drug Use Itself

The single most effective outcome identified by the review was a clear and significant victory for public health: bio-behavioral interventions were found to substantially decrease the number of episodes of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with serodiscordant partners, or partners with a different HIV status, a result so strong it was highly statistically significant (p<0.001).

However, in what may be the most counter-intuitive finding, the review also concluded that the interventions did not lead to a reduction in the use of psychoactive substances during sexual activities.

This is a significant finding because it reframes the goal of these interventions from one of drug abstinence to one of harm reduction. The data shows that the programs are succeeding at reducing a primary risk factor for HIV transmission, even if they don’t stop the underlying drug use itself.

They are making a high-risk behavior safer.

Bio-behavioral chemsex interventions reduce the risk of UAI with serodiscordant partners, a high-risk factor for HIV seroconversion.

Takeaway #2: The Evidence is Narrower and More Fragile Than It Appears

While the primary finding is promising, the review also reveals critical limitations in the current body of research, suggesting the evidence is not as robust as it might seem.

Geographic Bias: All 12 studies included in the meta-analysis were conducted in the USA. This raises what the review calls “concerns regarding the generalisability of these findings to other countries” in Europe, Asia, and Australia where chemsex is also practiced.
Drug-Specific Focus: Chemsex is known to involve several drugs, including mephedrone and GHB/GBL. Yet, 11 of the 12 studies focused exclusively on methamphetamine use. The review notes this highlights a “dearth of research” for interventions targeting other relevant substances.
Risk of Bias: The quality of the evidence is a concern. The majority of the studies (67%) were rated as having a “high risk of overall bias.” Key issues included a reliance on participants self-reporting their behaviors and high drop-out rates, which tempers confidence in the overall conclusions.

Are you exploring your trauma? Do you feel your childhood experiences were detrimental to your current mental or physical health? Utilize this free, validated, self-report questionnaire to find out.

Take the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Questionnaire

Takeaway #3: Beyond a Single HIV Risk Factor, the Benefits Remain Unclear

While the interventions successfully reduced UAI with serodiscordant partners, their impact on other risky behaviors was more ambiguous.

The review found that interventions led to a decrease in the total number of sexual partners and the number of partners with whom UAI occurred, but these reductions were not large enough to be statistically significant.

Specifically, the review could not establish a statistically significant link between the interventions and outcomes such as the total number of sexual partners, the number of partners where UAI took place, the overall number of episodes of UAI, or the frequency of sex involving substance use.

This finding does not mean the interventions are failures. Rather, it suggests they are highly targeted in their effect, acting on one very specific, high-stakes behavior rather than serving as a “magic bullet” for all behaviors associated with chemsex.

Conclusion: Reframing the Success of Chemsex Interventions

This comprehensive review sends a clear message: chemsex interventions show tangible promise for reducing a critical HIV risk behavior, even if they don’t reduce drug use itself.

At the same time, the scientific evidence supporting these interventions has significant gaps, including a narrow geographic and substance focus and a high risk of bias in the underlying studies. The review presents a paradox: the most successful interventions are the ones that ignore the most obvious target: drug use and, instead, focus on mitigating its most dangerous consequences.

As we move forward, should the goal of public health be focused less on abstinence and more on providing tools that demonstrably make risky behaviors safer?

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Consult with a professional.

Are you looking for more reputable, data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.

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Sex Drive: 5 Surprising Facts from a 67k Person Study

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000

What really drives sexual desire? We often rely on a handful of common assumptions about age, gender, and relationships to answer this question. But what happens when we peel back the layers and look at the science behind sex drive?

A groundbreaking study from the Estonian Biobank provides some of the clearest answers to date, challenging much of our conventional wisdom.

By analyzing data from over 67,000 participants (N = 67,334), researchers uncovered a complex tapestry of unseen forces shaping who wants sex and why. This article shares the most counter-intuitive findings from this massive study that are changing our understanding of human libido.

The Gender Gap in Desire is Wider and More Persistent Than we Thought

The first force this study brings into sharp focus is gender.

While it’s no secret that men, on average, report higher sex drive than women, this research revealed the difference to be exceptionally large and consistent across the lifespan.

In fact, the effect size found was even larger than those documented in previous large-scale meta-analyses. η² = 0.18, a large effect size indicating that gender alone explained a substantial 18% of the difference in desire.

This robust finding underscores just how profound and persistent the influence of gender is on libido. The study’s authors highlight the sheer magnitude of this difference across different life stages:

“Even the peak of average woman’s sexual desire at ages around 20 to 30 remains lower than men’s average levels across much of adulthood. It is only after the age of 60 + that men’s declining sexual desire falls below the highest levels ever reported by women.”

Furthermore, the research showed that this gap in desire actually widens with age, reaching its peak in the 60+ age group.

Men’s Sex Drive Peaks Surprisingly Late

We’re often told that a man’s sex drive is like a rocket. Supposedly peaking in his late teens and slowly coming down.

This study, however, suggests it’s more of a long climb to a high plateau.

Contrary to popular belief, men’s sexual desire actually peaked around their late 30s to early 40s. This finding was particularly surprising because it runs counter to what we know about male biology.

The researchers noted the unexpected nature of this pattern:

“A noteworthy finding was that men’s sexual desire peaked around the age of 40, exceeding even early adulthood levels… This pattern is surprising because it does not align with the well-documented trajectory of testosterone decline…”

This suggests that factors beyond simple biology are at play.

The researchers propose that men in this age group “are more likely to be in stable long-term relationships, which have been associated with increased sexual activity and emotional intimacy.”

In another fascinating hypothesis, they suggest that as men get older, their “levels of desire may be starting to adapt to their partner’s declining levels of desire,” which could help explain the drop-off in later life.

Licensed Professional Counselors, do you need continuing education hours?

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If you find this article interesting, Dr. Weeks’ course Sexual Education and Porn Use in Women, and her other unique courses, will engage and educate!

Parenthood Affects Men and Women’s Desire in Opposite Ways

One of the most fascinating unseen forces revealed by the study was how parenthood impacts libido differently for men and women.

For men, having more children was consistently associated with higher sexual desire. This effect grew stronger with each additional child, with the largest positive association found in fathers with five children. β = 0.43, indicating a strong positive association between fatherhood of five children and higher desire compared to mothers.

This stands in stark contrast to the experience of women, where the demands of parenthood are frequently linked to a decline in desire. A trend also suggested by the study’s data.

The researchers speculate that this opposing effect may reflect:

“…gendered differences in parental roles, stress levels, time availability, and energy investment within a family.”

They also offer a thought-provoking alternative explanation: it’s possible that “higher levels of desire may contribute to men having more children” in the first place, showing the complex relationship between cause and effect.

Single People May Actually Have a Higher Sex Drive

It’s often assumed that being in a committed relationship is the key to a healthy sex drive.

At first glance, the data seemed to support this, showing that partnered people had slightly higher desire on average. But when the researchers used a more powerful statistical lens, controlling for factors like age and gender, the picture flipped.

Partnered individuals actually reported lower sexual desire compared to their single counterparts. β = −0.10, a small but statistically significant effect suggesting that, all else being equal, being in a relationship was linked to a slight decrease in desire.

This surprising result challenges the idea that a relationship automatically sustains high desire. The study’s authors suggest this could be related to habituation in long-term partnerships, a phenomenon that “particularly for women, points to the potential for habituation and shifts in relational dynamics over time.”

In other words, the comfort of a long-term relationship may sometimes come at the expense of novelty.

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Your Career Choice Could Be Linked to Your Libido

In perhaps the most novel finding, the study uncovered a remarkable link between a person’s occupation and their level of sexual desire. Simple averages suggested that people in manual-labor and military jobs had the highest libido, but the researchers quickly noted this was likely because those fields are dominated by younger men.

The real story emerged after controlling for factors like age and gender. The study then compared all occupations to a baseline group: senior managers. The results were clear:

Lower Desire Occupations (Compared to Senior Managers): After accounting for other factors, nearly every other occupation was linked to significantly lower sexual desire. This effect was especially strong for elementary workers (β = -0.27), skilled workers and craftsmen (β = -0.19), and office and customer service workers (β = -0.16).

This highlights the often-overlooked connection between our professional lives, daily stress, and our personal well-being. It suggests that the pressures and routines of our jobs can be a powerful, hidden influence on our libido.

Conclusion: Rethinking What We Know About Sex Drive

This research paints a new picture where desire isn’t just a biological switch. It’s a dynamic outcome of a person’s age, gender, parental role, relationship status, and even their career.

The fact that these demographic and life factors alone could explain nearly 30% of the variance in sexual desire underscores just how profoundly they shape this fundamental human experience.

As we learn more about the complex web of factors that shape our desires, how might we change the conversations we have about sexuality in our own relationships?

Drop your thoughts in the comments.

For an in-depth guide on talking to your adolescents about cybersex and pornography, check out Dr. Jen’s book. Amazon | BookBaby

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? consult with a professional.

Are you looking for more reputable, data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.

The Study

Below is the study this post was based on for those who’d like to further explore these revelations about Sex Drive.

associations-of-sexual-desire-with-demographic-and-relationship-variables Download

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4 Ways Porn Use is Shaped by Relationship Fears

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:58:20 +0000

Beyond Addiction

When we talk about porn use, the conversation often gets stuck in simple, black-and-white narratives of morality or addiction. We tend to focus on how much someone is watching, rather than asking a more fundamental question: why? While these discussions are common, they often miss a deeper, more nuanced psychological story that’s playing out behind our screens.

What if our relationship with pornography isn’t just a habit, but a reflection of our most basic patterns of connecting with other people? This is the central idea behind attachment theory. It suggests that our earliest bonds with caregivers shape how we approach intimacy, trust, and emotional closeness throughout our lives. These deep-seated patterns are known as our “attachment style.”

A recent systematic review of 10 scientific studies has begun to connect these dots. It’s uncovered surprising links between our attachment styles and our pornography habits.

This article explores the four most impactful takeaways from that research.

It reveals how our fundamental needs for connection, and our fears of rejection, can shape what happens when we’re alone with a screen.

1. For some men, porn use is linked to better relationship satisfaction

Attachment styles are patterns in how we connect with others, stemming from our early life experiences. “Anxious attachment” style, for example, creates a deep desire for intimacy but lives with a persistent fear of rejection or abandonment.

Counterintuitively, one major study reviewed by the researchers (Maas et al., 2018) found that for men with this anxious attachment style, porn use was actually associated with higher relationship satisfaction.

This finding becomes even more striking when contrasted with the results for women in the same study.

For anxiously attached women, porn use was associated with lower relationship satisfaction.

This sharp gender difference underscores a crucial point: the effects of pornography are not one-size-fits-all.

They are deeply intertwined with our individual psychology, our gender, and our attachment style. This suggests that for anxious men, pornography might act as a low-stakes supplement that doesn’t trigger their core fear of abandonment. Whereas, for anxious women, it may directly activate it.

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2. Problematic porn use can be a way to cope with a fear of real intimacy

The review highlights a powerful theme: for those with insecure attachment styles, pornography offers a sense of connection without the perceived risks of real-world emotional intimacy.

This is particularly true for individuals with an avoidant attachment style. They often fear being engulfed by a relationship and losing their independence. Research shows that for this group, addictive cybersex use can become a direct substitute for the emotional closeness they find threatening.

While both anxious and avoidant individuals may turn to pornography, their motivations often differ.

Someone with an avoidant style might use it to replace an intimacy they fear. However, someone with an anxious style might use it to soothe anxiety about a connection they crave.

In both cases, porn use can become a substitute for genuine connection when real relationships feel too overwhelming.

The review synthesizes this concept perfectly:

When people with insecure attachments use pornography to satisfy their relational needs of comfort, they engage in little or less emotional closeness and commitment, which allays their worries of abandonment and separation.

This reframes problematic use not merely as an addiction, but as a potentially maladaptive strategy for managing deep-seated relational fears of either being left alone or being consumed by another.

Licensed Professional Counselors, do you need continuing education hours?

Look no further!

If you find this article interesting, Dr. Weeks’ course Sexual Education and Porn Use in Women, and her other unique courses, will engage and educate!

3. For anxiously attached women, porn use is linked to body insecurity; specifically when they’re in a relationship

Another study in the review (Gerwitz-Meydan et al., 2021) uncovered a highly specific link for women with an anxious attachment style.

For these women, an association between their attachment style and porn use was found only if they were currently in a relationship. For single women with the same attachment style, there was no significant association.

The research identified a crucial factor driving this connection: body image self-consciousness. The study found that pornography use acted as a mediator between anxious attachment and body image issues.

In simple terms, this means that for anxiously attached women in a relationship, viewing pornography may trigger or intensify insecurities about their own bodies.

This, in turn, can activate their underlying attachment-related fears of being inadequate for their partner. Porn use directly threatens their sense of security and stoking their core fear of abandonment.

Do you believe you have an online pornography addiction? Take the free Cyber Pornography Addiction Test (CYPAT) and have the results to speak with your therapist.

4. There’s a psychological link between ADHD, both anxious and avoidant attachment, and compulsive porn use.

The review also sheds light on the intersection of attachment, neurodiversity, and pornography.

One study (Niazof et al., 2019) found that problematic pornography use in men with ADHD was linked to both anxious and avoidant attachment styles, but in different ways.

Higher levels of anxious attachment were linked to excessive pornography use, while avoidant attachment was associated with higher levels of problematic use.

The researchers point to a potential explanation for this link: the “incentive deficit” that is often a characteristic of ADHD.

This concept suggests that individuals with ADHD may be more drawn to highly stimulating, novel, and instantly gratifying behaviors. It helps ADHD porn users to compensate for a brain that may be under-stimulated by everyday rewards.

When combined with insecure attachment, this creates a potent mix.

For the anxiously attached man with ADHD, pornography might serve as an easily accessible tool to soothe relational anxiety.

For the avoidantly attached man with ADHD, it may be a compelling substitute for the real-world intimacy he fears. It fulfills a need for stimulation without triggering his fear of closeness.

Conclusion: Beyond How Much to Why

The research clearly shows that our relationship with pornography is more complex than self-control or moral standing.

It can be a powerful and often unconscious reflection of our deepest relational patterns. It reveals our unmet needs for connection, and our most profound fears of intimacy and rejection.

This perspective invites us to shift the conversation.

Instead of focusing solely on the behavior itself, perhaps the more important question to ask is: What deeper needs and fears is this behavior trying to meet?

Share how this post spoke to you, or about someone you love. Do you believe you use pornography to compensate for your attachment style? Why or why not?

Are you looking for more reputable, data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.

Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Consult with a professional.

The post 4 Ways Porn Use is Shaped by Relationship Fears first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

Kink Communities: Beyond the Stereotypes

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000

A Major UK Study Reveals Some Surprising Facts About Kink Communities

Media portrayals of niche sexual interests like BDSM, pet play, and furries often lean into sensationalism, painting participants as psychologically deviant or driven by singular, extreme fetishes. These stereotypes, while dramatic, rarely reflect the lived experiences of people within these communities. This leaves a significant gap between public perception of kink communities and reality.

A recent scientific investigation, “A Survey of the United Kink-dom,” offers a rare, data-driven look into these worlds. Published in The Journal of Sex Research, this study surveyed 470 UK-based participants involved in five distinct interest groups:

BDSM
Age play
Pet play
Furries
Balloon fetishists

The research provides one of the most comprehensive datasets to date on the demographics, psychology, and behaviors of these communities.

This article distills the five most surprising and stereotype-busting findings from this rigorous research. By moving past the hype and focusing on the evidence, we can begin to build a more nuanced and accurate understanding of kink communities and their members.

1. Most People Are Into More Than One Thing

Contrary to the idea that people belong to distinct and separate fetish groups, the study found a very high degree of overlapping interests. The data shows that having a single, isolated interest is actually the exception, not the rule.

Only 19% of the 470 participants reported having just one of the five paraphilic interests investigated. The majority had two (37.8%) or three (31.5%).

This finding is significant because it suggests these interests are not isolated quirks. They are often part of a broader exploration of non-normative identity and sexuality. The researchers identified specific patterns of co-occurrence.

For instance, there was a strong link between pet play and furry interests. This makes sense due to their shared themes of animal personification. Similarly, BDSM, which is defined by power dynamics, showed significant overlap with pet play. This is another of the groups in the study that centrally involve power exchange roles.

Check out the latest research on fetishes and criminality:

Criminal Histories and Recidivism Rates for Juveniles Convicted of Child Pornography Possession

2. Kink Communities Deviate Sharply from Population Norms

When the researchers compared their sample to UK national statistics on sexual orientation and relationship styles, they found dramatic differences.

Across all five groups studied, participants reported significantly lower levels of heterosexual identity and much higher rates of gay/lesbian and bisexual identities than the general population.

For example, while 94.6% of the UK population identifies as heterosexual, the rate within the BDSM group was just 37.8%.

The study also found substantially higher rates of non-monogamy compared to population estimates. A 2.4% rate from a representative Canadian sample was used as a benchmark in the absence of equivalent UK data.

This finding supports a growing body of research suggesting these communities often function as welcoming spaces for individuals whose identities and relationship models are marginalized elsewhere. The study’s authors summarize the scale of this difference concisely:

Findings demonstrated groups differed significantly from population patterns of sexual orientation and relationship style, with effect sizes for these comparisons being large.

3. The “Psychopathic Dominant” is a Myth

A persistent and damaging stereotype suggests that individuals who enjoy dominant roles in BDSM must harbor “darker” personality traits. These traits inlcude:

Narcissism
Machiavellianism
Psychopathy

This idea pathologizes practitioners by linking consensual power exchange with antisocial characteristics.

The “United Kink-dom” study directly tested this hypothesis by measuring these “Dark Triad” traits across different BDSM role identities:

Dominant
Submissive
Switch (individuals who enjoy both roles)

The results were definitive: there were no significant differences in Dark Triad traits based on BDSM role.

People who identified with dominant roles did not score higher on measures of Machiavellianism, narcissism, or psychopathy than those in submissive or switch roles. This finding provides strong empirical evidence that debunks a harmful myth and supports previous research showing that BDSM practitioners generally have mental health profiles comparable to the general population.

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4. The Study Found Little Support for the Most Damaging Stereotypes in Kink Communities

The study carefully and sensitively investigated the most stigmatizing stereotypes the links between

Age play and pedophilia
Pet play/furries and zoophilia

The researchers’ goal was to see if these consensual adult role-playing activities were being used as a substitute for harmful, non-consensual interests.

The findings were more complex than a simple “myth-busted” headline would suggest.

For age play, the data showed that the vast majority of participants did not report any pedophilic arousal. However, a minority (14.1%) did report some level of arousal to pedophilic fantasy.

The researchers provide crucial context, noting that while their data “largely does not support stereotypes,” this rate of self-reported arousal is higher than the estimated prevalence of pedophilia in the general population (up to 5%).

A similar pattern emerged for pet play and furries within Kink Communities.

While most participants in these groups expressed “repulsion” to the idea of sex with animals, a minority reported some arousal to zoophilic fantasy (23.6% of pet players and 28.9% of furries).

Again, the researchers note that these rates are higher than the general population estimate for zoophilia (up to 8%).

For the overwhelming majority, consensual adult role-play is distinct from harmful acts, but the data reveals a nuanced reality that defies simple caricature.

5. Kink Can Be a Non-Sexual Identity

A common assumption is that participation in kink communities is always and exclusively about sexual gratification. However, the study’s data challenges this idea, revealing that for many, these interests are a multifaceted part of their identity that isn’t always tied to sex.

A significant minority of participants, particularly among pet players and furries, reported that they did not pair their interests with sexual acts.

Across the groups, “10–35% reported never pairing this with sex,” with furries (35.1%) and pet players (26.7%) being the most likely to engage non-sexually. Furthermore, when asked how much they viewed their interest as part of their “sexual orientation,” the study found a “bimodal distribution.”

This means participants tended to answer at the extremes: many saw it as absolutely central to their sexual identity, while many others saw it as not at all important.

This highlights that for a substantial portion of these communities, the appeal is not primarily sexual. Instead, it lies in social connection, psychological expression, and creative world-building – crystallized in practices like developing a detailed “fursona,” or animal character, which can be entirely separate from sexual gratification.

A More Complex Picture of Kink Communities

The “A Survey of the United Kink-dom” study provides a powerful, evidence-based counter-narrative to the prevailing stereotypes about kink communities.

The findings paint a picture of a world that is far more diverse, psychologically comparable to the general population, and less pathological than often portrayed.

It reveals communities that are highly interconnected, disproportionately queer and non-monogamous, and driven by a wide range of motivations that often extend well beyond sex.

This research underscores that the lived reality of people with non-normative sexual interests is more complex and far more human than caricature allows. As data replaces caricature, the central question is no longer if these communities are pathological, but how their complex networks of identity, creativity, and non-normative relationships challenge our broader cultural definitions of sexuality itself.

Be Part of the Kink Community Conversation

Do you participate in a kink community? How do you view kink communities? Drop a comment below and tell me about your non-explicit experiences!

For an in-depth guide on talking to your adolescents about cybersex and pornography, check out Dr. Jen’s book. Amazon | BookBaby

Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.

Are you looking for more reputable, data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.

The post Kink Communities: Beyond the Stereotypes first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

Kinks and Fetishes: 4 Surprising Scientific Truths

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000

When you think of kinks, fetishes, and paraphilias they probably exist in a space of mystery and sensationalism. They can evoke images of fringe behaviors or clinical disorders. They seem like topics more suited for dramatic television than for serious discussion.

But as with many aspects of human experience, the scientific understanding of atypical sexuality offers a far more nuanced and surprising perspective. One that challenges deep-seated assumptions about what is “normal.”

Crucially, modern psychology and psychiatry draw a clear line. Paraphilia is an atypical sexual interest. A paraphilic disorder is a diagnosable condition that causes significant personal distress or involves harm to non-consenting individuals.

This distinction is the foundation for a more accurate and compassionate conversation.

A 2022 study published in the Journal of Criminal Justice provides compelling insights into this landscape. While it explores prevalence, its core contribution is an analysis of the complex developmental pathways that lead to these interests. This article distills the most impactful takeaways from that research.

1. Kinks & Fetishes No More! Atypical Sexual Interests Are Far More Common Than You Think

One of the most significant findings from the research is that many kinks, or paraphilic interests, are far more widespread than generally believed.

The study investigated 24 different paraphilic interests in a nonclinical sample of adults and concluded that a majority were “neither rare, nor unusual.”

This suggests that having an interest in things like fetishism or masochism is not an automatic sign of a fringe deviation. This finding aligns with previous research.

For example, a 2017 study by Joyal & Carpentier found that a remarkable 45.6% of individuals reported having at least one paraphilic fantasy. Crucially, that same study found that only 33.9% reported engaging in at least one paraphilic behavior.

The significance of this is profound:

It challenges the idea that such interests are inherently abnormal. It underscores why simply having a paraphilia is not considered a disorder. Instead of being isolated phenomena, these interests are a common part of the broad spectrum of human sexuality.

2. There’s a Critical Difference Between Fantasy and Arousal

While we now know these fantasies are common, it’s equally important to understand that a fantasy is not a blueprint for action.

In fact, the research reveals a crucial gap between our inner world and our real-world arousal.

The study found a significant difference between sexual fantasy and sexual arousal, noting “a majority of self-reported arousal being lower than fantasy.” In other words, just because a person fantasizes about something doesn’t mean it arouses them in reality, let alone that they would ever act on it.

The researchers emphasize this point to distinguish between internal thoughts and external behaviors.

The presence of atypical sexual fantasies is not necessarily indicative of a paraphilic behavior.

This distinction is vital for reducing stigma. Understanding that a person’s private fantasies do not automatically translate to their real-world desires or behavior is key. We can have more informed and less judgmental conversations about sexuality.

Do you believe your sexual behaviors are compulsive or harmful to you or others? Then you should take the CSBD-19 free, validated self-assessment tool.

3. The Official Line Between “Normal” and “Deviant” Is Blurry and Keeps Changing

For decades, clinicians have struggled to draw a clear, objective line between “normal” and “paraphilic” sexual interests.

The study notes that a “key problem with the DSM classification… is primarily based on descriptions of symptoms and behaviours instead of the underlying causes.”

What constitutes an ‘unusual’ sexual behavior is not always clear because our standards are not fixed; they are shaped by social forces. As the paper states, “Beliefs about what is morally and socially acceptable and unacceptable shifts across cultures and over time.”

The evolution of the DSM itself provides a perfect example.

The source notes, “To encompass that some individuals might engage in atypical sexual behaviours without being labelled with a mental disorder, the DSM-5 has clarified the distinction between paraphilia […] and paraphilic disorder.” This recent change is part of a long history of shifting definitions.

A powerful historical example illustrates this perfectly. Until 1973, the DSM classified homosexuality as a sexual deviation right alongside sadism and masochism.

This demonstrates that our definitions of sexual ‘normalcy’ are heavily influenced by social context, not objective science.

4. The Path From Childhood Trauma to Paraphilia Is Indirect

While a link between childhood trauma and the development of kinks, or atypical sexual interests, is known, this study reveals the relationship is not a simple, direct cause-and-effect.

Using a method called mediation analysis, the researchers found that the connection is more complex and is mediated by other factors.

In simpler terms, childhood trauma doesn’t directly cause paraphilic arousal. The study found that its influence is channeled through other issues that may arise from the trauma, such as hypersexuality (an unusually intense sex drive), problematic pornography consumption, and the development of certain personality traits. These intervening factors are what more directly connect the early trauma to later sexual interests.

The study’s abstract summarizes this developmental pathway powerfully:

Abuses during childhood are the starting point of an over-involvement in sexuality, which increase the likelihood of developing atypical sexual interest or behavior.

This shift from a simple A-to-B link to a complex web of influences is critical.

It moves our understanding away from a simplistic and stigmatizing ‘broken by trauma’ narrative toward a more compassionate and accurate developmental model, opening the door for more effective and targeted interventions.

A Final Thought About Kinks

The research paints a clear picture: what happens in our minds is a vast and common part of the human experience (Points 1 & 2).

The labels we use to pathologize it are often social constructs that are constantly evolving (Point 3), and the developmental pathways that lead to these interests are far more complex than simple narratives of trauma suggest (Point 4).

By moving past sensationalism, we can begin to see a more accurate and human landscape.

As our understanding evolves, how can we foster conversations about sexuality that are guided more by empathy and evidence, and less by outdated stigmas?

Are you exploring your trauma? Do you feel your childhood experiences were detrimental to your current mental or physical health? Utilize this free, validated, self-report questionnaire to find out.

Take the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Questionnaire

Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.

The post Kinks and Fetishes: 4 Surprising Scientific Truths first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

Who REALLY Watches Porn? 4 Surprising Truths

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 13:00:00 +0000

When we think about who watches pornography, stereotypes often paint a simple, one-dimensional picture.

These assumptions, however, are largely based on older research that relied on self-report surveys, a method notoriously prone to bias when dealing with a stigmatized topic. What happens when you set aside what people say they do and instead look at what they actually do online?

A massive new study did just that. Using objective, anonymized web-tracking data from 1,933 individuals across five countries, researchers identified 392 pornography consumers, providing one of the most accurate and nuanced portraits of this group to date.

The results challenge many deeply held beliefs about age, gender, politics, and online behavior.

This article distills the four most counter-intuitive truths from this groundbreaking research, revealing a reality that is far more complex and fascinating than the stereotypes suggest.

1. Viewers Are Creatures of Habit, Not Explorers

The internet seems to offer an endless buffet of adult content, leading to the belief that pornography use is a relentless quest for novelty. The data, however, paints a picture not of explorers, but of creatures of habit.

The study found that consumption is highly concentrated on a few dominant platforms, such as Pornhub, Xvideos, and Xhamster.

The most surprising statistic revealed a strong sense of brand loyalty and routine. Approximately 46% of users visited only a single, unique adult website during the entire three-month study period.

This behavior suggests that for nearly half of all viewers, pornography is less about exploration and more about visiting a familiar, trusted source.

As the researchers note:

This suggests that pornography consumption is not as exploratory as assumed but rather characterized by routine engagement with familiar providers.

This finding is significant because it reframes consumption as a routine online habit, much like checking a favorite news site or social media platform, rather than a relentless quest for new stimulation.

2. It’s Not Just a Young Person’s Game

Conventional wisdom says porn is a young person’s fixation, a habit that fades with age.

The data shows this is simply not true.

Objective tracking reveals that pornography consumption is common across all age groups. It goes from young adulthood well into the 60s and beyond.

The data shows a clear trend, with consumption peaking among people in their 30s before seeing its most pronounced decline after age 60.

However, the study’s key takeaway is that these variations between most adult age groups aren’t large enough to be statistically significant. This means, for the most part, engagement remains remarkably stable throughout adulthood.

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If you find this article interesting, Dr. Weeks’ course Sexual Education and Porn Use in Women, and her other unique courses, will engage and educate!

Pornography isn’t just a phenomenon of the “digitally native” youth. It’s an integrated part of online habits for a wide and diverse range of adults.

3. Political Ideology is Surprisingly Irrelevant

In a hyper-partisan world, it’s easy to assume our media habits, even private ones, fall along political lines. But when it comes to pornography, a person’s political ideology is surprisingly irrelevant.

When researchers compared who watches porn and non-watchers based on their self-reported political ideology on a scale from left to right, they found no statistically significant difference between the two groups.

In simple terms, knowing a person’s political leaning gives you no predictive power in guessing whether or not they consume pornography. The user base is ideologically diverse and spans the entire political spectrum.

But the research did uncover an interesting twist. While personal ideology didn’t matter, media consumption habits showed a small but statistically significant difference. The study found pornography users tended to have slightly more centrist and balanced partisan media diets compared to non-users.

Do you believe you have an online pornography addiction? Take the free Cyber Pornography Addiction Test (CYPAT) and have the results to speak with your therapist.

4. The Gender Gap is More Complicated Than You Think

One stereotype the data confirms is men are the primary consumer of pornography.

But that’s where the simplicity ends.

Digging into the web-tracking data revealed crucial nuances, showing female engagement is “more substantial than previously estimated” and challenging the idea of pornography as an exclusively male domain. This was especially clear when looking at cross-country variations.

In Spain, for example, women constitute nearly 30% of pornography users.

The study hypothesizes this may be linked to the country’s significant progress in gender equality, such as being the first nation to create a Ministry of Equality in 2004 and the third to legalize same-sex marriage in 2005, suggesting cultural shifts can directly influence female consumption patterns.

The study also produced fascinating data on same-sex content.

It found that 16.5% of male users watched gay pornography. A figure significantly higher than the 5-10% of men who typically identify as gay or bisexual in surveys.

This complexity extends to lesbian content, which the study found was consumed by a higher percentage of male users (15.4%) than female users (9.4%), further challenging simple assumptions about consumption, gender, and sexual orientation.

Conclusion

The objective, behavioral data from this study makes one thing clear: the reality of pornography consumption is far more complex, habitual, and ideologically diverse than common stereotypes suggest.

It is a widespread digital behavior that cuts across demographics in ways we are only just beginning to understand.

As objective data continues to pull back the curtain on our private digital lives, what other deeply held assumptions about human behavior will be the next to fall?

Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.

Are you looking for more reputable, data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.

The post Who REALLY Watches Porn? 4 Surprising Truths first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

Overthinking and Porn Use: How Gender Shapes a Vicious Cycle

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000

The Hidden Dialogue Between Our Minds and Our Habits

The scale of online pornography consumption is immense. In 2023, two of the largest pornography websites, Xvideos and XNXX, had more total visits than TikTok, one of the world’s most popular social media platforms. But beyond the sheer numbers, what is the internal experience of this habit? What is the relationship between porn use and how we think about our lives, our feelings, and ourselves?

New research reveals a surprisingly complex, two-way relationship between what scientists call problematic pornography use (PPU) and “rumination,” or the act of overthinking.

This groundbreaking study shows not only that the behavior can influence our thought patterns, but also that our specific style of thinking can, in turn, either escalate the problem or potentially help us escape it.

Crucially, this connection works very differently for men and women.

First, a Quick Primer: What Are “Problematic Use” and “Rumination”?

Before diving into the findings, let’s clarify the two key concepts. We’re not judging habits, but trying to understanding specific psychological patterns.

What is Problematic Pornography Use (PPU)?

PPU is not defined by how often someone watches pornography. Instead, it is characterized by a loss of control.

The official definition describes it as “poorly controlled, excessive, and/or compulsive engagement in pornography use, accompanied by significant distress and impairments in life,” such as losing a job or damaging relationships.

What is Rumination?

Simply put, rumination is the act of continuously focusing on one’s own negative thoughts and feelings.

However, not all rumination is the same.

Researchers have found that it comes in two distinct flavors: Brooding and Reflection.

Understanding this difference is essential to making sense of the study’s findings.

As professionals, our time is valuable. Dr. Weeks created the Mitigation Aide Research Archive because there isn’t enough focused, data-backed research available in easily digestible formats.

Takeaway 1: Problematic Porn Use Fuels Overthinking But Differently for Men and Women

The study, which followed 2,786 adults over one year, initially found that higher levels of PPU predicted more ruminative thinking (both brooding and reflection) a year later for everyone. This supports the “stress-reactive model,” suggesting the stress, guilt, or life problems from PPU can trigger more repetitive thinking.

However, the researchers dug deeper and uncovered a crucial distinction.

For men, the link was robust: the problematic nature of their use, the loss of control and distress, was a strong predictor of increased rumination down the line, regardless of how frequently they viewed porn.

For women, the story was different.

When researchers statistically controlled for the sheer frequency of pornography use, the link between PPU and later rumination weakened or disappeared entirely.

This suggests that for women, it may be the high frequency of viewing itself, rather than the “problematic” aspect, that is more closely tied to an increase in later overthinking.

Takeaway 2: For Women, Brooding Can Create a Vicious Cycle

When researchers looked at how thinking patterns affected behavior over time, a key gender difference emerged. For women, a specific type of rumination, brooding, was linked to an increase in problematic use down the line. The study found that higher levels of brooding at the start were associated with higher levels of PPU one year later.

Brooding is generally regarded as a more maladaptive form of rumination, which is defined as:

Adopting a passive and introspective demeanor that evaluates current circumstances against an unrealized, idealized standard, accompanied by a sense of regret and dissatisfaction.

This passive, self-critical style is captured in the very questions researchers used to measure it. Such as:

“Why do I always react this way?”
“Why can’t I handle things better?“

According to the cognitive-behavioral model, this style of thinking can exacerbate negative emotions like anxiety and stress. Women may then engage in the problematic behavior to cope with these painful feelings. Thus, creating a dangerous feedback loop where the thinking pattern fuels the habit that causes the distress.

Takeaway 3: For Men, Reflective Thinking May Act as a Protective Shield

The most counter-intuitive finding came from the data on men. For them, a different type of rumination—reflection—appeared to be a protective factor.

The study revealed that higher levels of reflective thinking at the start were associated with lower levels of PPU a year later. Reflection is seen as a more adaptive and constructive form of thinking. Its scientific definition is:

Reflection, a purposeful and active cognitive process, involves accepting and understanding distress and feelings to engage in effective coping mechanisms.

Do you believe your sexual behaviors are compulsive or harmful to you or others? Then you should take the CSBD-19 free, validated self-assessment tool.

Why would this type of overthinking be helpful in relation to Porn Use?

The researchers hypothesize that because men report higher rates of PPU and its negative consequences, they may become more motivated to fix the problem. This motivation could trigger a more problem-solving style of thought.

As the researchers suggest, “men may be motivated to disrupt this pattern and regain control over their problematic behavior… Such a response could potentially be associated with engaging in a more problem-solving-focused type of rumination (i.e., reflective rumination), resulting in reduced PPU.”

Conclusion: It’s Not That You Think, But How You Think

The relationship between porn use and our thought patterns is not simple. This research shows that it is a complex, bidirectional cycle that differs significantly by gender. For both men and women, pornography use can be linked to more negative, repetitive thinking.

But the reverse is where the crucial distinction lies.

For women, a passive, self-critical “brooding” can trap them in a cycle, making the problem worse.

For men, an active, problem-solving “reflection” may be a key to breaking free.

The ultimate takeaway is that when it comes to the link between our thoughts and our habits, it may not be that you think, but how you think that truly matters.

This leaves us with a powerful, forward-looking question: If the way we reflect on our behaviors can either trap us in a cycle or help us break free, what does that mean for our ability to consciously change our habits?

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? consult with a professional.

Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.

The post Overthinking and Porn Use: How Gender Shapes a Vicious Cycle first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

A Study on “No Fap” for Women?

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 13:45:19 +0000

Most often, when we talk about online communities for abstinence from pornography and masturbation, such as No Fap, we are talking about men.

Online forums purporting abstinence, particularly Reddit, are a predominantly male space. So, where do the women go?

While we know men more often report problematic sexual behavior than women, women do still struggle with PSB issues. Where is their safe space? A recent study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior recently addressed this question.

A No Fap Study in the Archives of Sexual Behavior

The authors analyzed the posts from a women-only online forum called Porn Free Women.

Porn Free Women was developed because most pornography abstinence online spaces are dominated by men and many women did not feel comfortable or accepted participating in them.

Do you believe you have an online pornography addiction? Take the free Cyber Pornography Addiction Test (CYPAT) and have the results to speak with your therapist.

Therapeutic, Empowerment and Heteronormative

The analysis of the discussions revealed 16 predominant topics that fell within three themes:

Therapeutic
Empowerment
Heteronormative

Half of the discussions fit the therapeutic theme. Pornography abstinence was discussed as overcoming adversity through healing and transformation. Here pornography was seen as addictive.

Over a quarter of the posts fit into the heteronormative theme. The discussions involved romantic relationships, identity anxiety and ideas of being a “real” woman.

The empowerment theme emphasized female empowerment and agency in building a supportive community to promote well-being.

Many of the women in the forum identified with the philosophy of pornography addiction.

Unlike men, many of these women use their own past sexual victimization to rationalize their entry into pornography addiction.

This study was interesting because it is one of the very few studies that look at a women’s perspective on desired abstinence from pornography. In a field dominated by heteronormative male voices, it is refreshing to see science finally take an interest in the female voices in the arena.

Reference

Zhang, X & Silva, D.E. (2024). “I feel like a fraud who acts like a feminist”: The discussion themes and sexual scripts in the Porn Free Women online forum. Archives of Sexual Behavior. Doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-02858-w

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Consult with a professional.

Are you exploring your trauma? Do you feel your childhood experiences were detrimental to your current mental or physical health? Utilize this free, validated, self-report questionnaire to find out.

Take the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Questionnaire

The post A Study on “No Fap” for Women? first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.