#encephalosexual

[acespec-ed]

This week’s obscure aspec label is...

Encephalosexual

Encephalosexual is when you can’t experience sexual attraction unless you’ve formed an intellectual bond with someone. It’s similar to demisexual, but specifically with an intellectual bond. An intellectual bond would be sharing wisdom, hobbies, and/or knowledge with each other. 

It’s romantic equivalent is encephaloromantic.

[wojakterms]

I personally disagree with the notion that apressexuality is a subset of demisexuality.

Demisexuality is the orientation defined by an inability to experience sexual attraction toward those one does not have a “deep, emotional bond” with. Apressexuality is defined by an inability to experience sexual attraction toward those one does not experience a type of non-sexual attraction to. Apressexuality was coined to be a subset of demisexuality, however, non-sexual attraction does not entail a deep bond.

We may develop crushes on people due to their appearance, or grow obsessed with them based on what we perceive them to be. Even to become passionately infatuated with someone is not to deeply bond with them. To call someone who can only experience sexual attraction toward those they have romantic feelings for “demisexual”, even if said feelings are shallow and unfounded, isn’t accurate.

Depending on one’s definition of allosexual, they may consider apressexuality to be within the asexual spectrum, which I personally do, however, the term’s distinct from demisexuality. Some may be apart of both orientations, but it’s unfair to call someone demisexual because they can only experience sexual attraction toward those they’re attracted to in other ways when they don’t fit the definition of demisexuality.