Every year seems to arrive with a new viral bedroom buzzword, and 2026 is already proving no different, with a new sex trend named after one of the cutest animals you can have for a pet.
From TikTok confessionals to late-night group chat debates, one particularly bizarre term has been cropping up again and again; it’s safe to say people have plenty of opinions.
The phrase ‘hamstering’ has been floating around online spaces for months, with some users claiming it’s the latest adventurous craze while others insist it sounds more like a joke that spiralled out of control. It turns out, though, that this one is quite real.
Social media clips teasing the idea have racked up attention, often hinting at something outrageous without fully explaining it.
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What is 'hamstering'?
As for what hamstering actually is, the so-called trend refers to a car-based sex position involving a sunroof, where one partner is positioned outside the vehicle while the other remains inside.
The unusual nickname essentially comes from comparisons to a hamster drinking from a bottle, with the partner in the car being the thirsty hamster and the second atop the car acting like their penis is the water bottle - an image that has fuelled both the shock factor and the endless online jokes.
While some TikTokers appear to be treating the idea as an adventurous novelty and/or just a good laugh, sex experts have questioned whether the hype reflects reality, in light of those who have actually wanted to try it.
Sex writer Zachary Zane told Mashable: "I had never heard of this position before last week, but I bet you a few very sexually adventurous people are now trying it out and seeing if it's feasible.
"These people aren’t likely trying it because it’s pleasurable, it's more to say that they’ve done it."
While plenty of commenters on TikTok have been enjoying the joke of the hamstering concept, other experts have raised practical concerns too.
For instance, Amy Baldwin and April Lampert, hosts of the Shameless Sex podcast, told Mashable: "The giver will likely have to contort their body and their neck in a way that may be really uncomfortable and unsustainable for a long period of time," although they acknowledged that experimentation can still bring ‘a sense of newness, adventurousness, and playful exploration’.
Beyond the shock value, safety warnings have become a recurring theme, with professionals stressing the need to ensure the car is thoughtfully parked to avoid public exposure risks.
Other 'wild' sex trends
Hamstering isn't the only sex trend that has caught the internet by surprise. Take a look at these...
Toothing
No, toothing isn't about your pearly whites. As reported by Reuters via ABC, it's ‘a form of anonymous sex with strangers, usually on some form of transport or enclosed area such as a conference or training seminar’.
Shallowing
Shallowing involves light stimulation around the entrance of the vagina, rather than full penetration. It can be enjoyed solo and even has some health benefits, too.
JOI
Reportedly dominating the online sphere, JOI stands for ‘jerk off instruction’ and is all about guided pleasure - someone on your screen instructs you on how to masturbate, what to do and when.
Castlecore
Have you ever dreamed of prancing around medieval castles and fighting dragons? Well, the castlecore trend might just be for you - and you're not alone. In 2024, Lovehoney found an increase in customers experimenting with corsets and dildos inspired by fantasy creatures.
Cuckolding
Now, cuckolding is certainly not for everyone as it's essentially a form of consensual non-monogamy. It involves one partner watching the other cheating or having sex with another person right in front of them.
The more you know, eh?
Topics: Dating, TikTok, Social Media
Ben Williams