Women Who Stray

Sex

Sexual Choking May Cause Brain Damage

David J. Ley Ph.D. on May 8, 2026

Sexual choking, increasingly popular, may cause brain injury.

Sexual choking, increasingly popular, may cause brain injury.

Masturbation

New Research Puts a Nail in an Old Sports Myth

David J. Ley Ph.D. on March 9, 2026

New research debunks the old myth that masturbation or orgasm reduces athletic performance or testosterone levels.

New research debunks the old myth that masturbation or orgasm reduces athletic performance or testosterone levels.

Pornography

The War in Ukraine's Impact on Use of Pornography

David J. Ley Ph.D. on January 21, 2026

A unique research study examined how the war in Ukraine impacted Ukrainian viewing of pornography.

A unique research study examined how the war in Ukraine impacted Ukrainian viewing of pornography.

Sex Addiction

Relationship Journal Draws Line Against Sex Addiction

David J. Ley Ph.D. on December 9, 2025

A prominent journal, with a long history of publishing on sex and relationship issues, makes a statement that it will no longer publish articles on sex or porn addiction.

A prominent journal, with a long history of publishing on sex and relationship issues, makes a statement that it will no longer publish articles on sex or porn addiction.

Sex

Could Your Kink Be Misunderstood by Law Enforcement?

David J. Ley Ph.D. on November 3, 2025

Online stings by law enforcement effectively detect potential sexual offenders. However, they may also pose a potential risk to people who engage in fantasy online roleplay.

Online stings by law enforcement effectively detect potential sexual offenders. However, they may also pose a potential risk to people who engage in fantasy online roleplay.

Sex

The Rise of Rough Sex and Why Safety Matters

David J. Ley Ph.D. on August 21, 2025

As more young people engage in rough sex, their lack of preparation and education creates significant risks for safety and legal consequences.

As more young people engage in rough sex, their lack of preparation and education creates significant risks for safety and legal consequences.

Sex

The Evolution of the Incel Subculture

David J. Ley Ph.D. on August 15, 2025

The psychology of Incels is about hopelessness, anger and sadness, fueled by online echo chambers

The psychology of Incels is about hopelessness, anger and sadness, fueled by online echo chambers

Masturbation

Is Prone Masturbation Dangerous?

David J. Ley Ph.D. on June 13, 2025

Online sensationalist media blames prone masturbation for sexual dysfunction. The actual research is murky and don't clearly suggest that it's harmful.

Online sensationalist media blames prone masturbation for sexual dysfunction. The actual research is murky and don't clearly suggest that it's harmful.

Sexual Orientation

Increasing Bisexual Identities Reflect More Than Just a Fad

David J. Ley Ph.D. on May 2, 2025

As more young people identify as bisexual, many people question whether this might just be a fad. New data suggest it involves changes to more than just self-identification.

As more young people identify as bisexual, many people question whether this might just be a fad. New data suggest it involves changes to more than just self-identification.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Romantic and Sexual Partners — More Common Than You Think

David J. Ley Ph.D. on April 18, 2025

Many young people are using AI for sex and romantic purposes, and some report they find it more appealing and comfortable than dealing with real people.

Many young people are using AI for sex and romantic purposes, and some report they find it more appealing and comfortable than dealing with real people.

Therapy

Is There Moral Incongruence Bias in Some Sex Therapists?

David J. Ley Ph.D. on March 13, 2025

Therapists with higher personal moral incongruence about sexuality may be at risk for imposing their own sexual shame on their patients.

Therapists with higher personal moral incongruence about sexuality may be at risk for imposing their own sexual shame on their patients.

Jealousy

Dark Chocolate May Relieve Romantic Jealousy

David J. Ley Ph.D. on February 5, 2025

Chemicals in dark chocolate may reduce stress and help manage feelings of jealousy.

Chemicals in dark chocolate may reduce stress and help manage feelings of jealousy.

Therapy

Is It Ethical for a Therapist to Refuse to Treat a Trump Voter?

David J. Ley Ph.D. on November 22, 2024

Therapists who are concerned about politics are questioning whether they can or should treat people with different political views. This could be the answer.

Therapists who are concerned about politics are questioning whether they can or should treat people with different political views. This could be the answer.

Health

Providing Health Care Across State Lines

David J. Ley Ph.D. on November 14, 2024

Because licensure of health care disciplines is state-specific, it can be extremely challenging for clinicians to offer services across state lines.

Because licensure of health care disciplines is state-specific, it can be extremely challenging for clinicians to offer services across state lines.

Therapy

Is That a Bed in My Therapist’s Background?

David J. Ley Ph.D. on October 30, 2024

Therapists who provide remote psychotherapy are responsible for considering what's in their background and what message it sends to their patients.

Therapists who provide remote psychotherapy are responsible for considering what's in their background and what message it sends to their patients.

Pornography

Those Who Identify as Addicted to Porn Have Worse Outcomes

David J. Ley Ph.D. on September 26, 2024

Research with self-identified porn addicts finds that this self-label is associated with negative outcomes and relationship problems.

Research with self-identified porn addicts finds that this self-label is associated with negative outcomes and relationship problems.

Sex

Sexual Nostalgia May Improve Sexual Satisfaction

David J. Ley Ph.D. on July 29, 2024

Reminiscing over shared past sexual experiences decreases sexual dissatisfaction and increases relational and personal well-being.

Reminiscing over shared past sexual experiences decreases sexual dissatisfaction and increases relational and personal well-being.

Sex

Is Aftercare Consent?

David J. Ley Ph.D. on July 9, 2024

Aftercare is a kinky practice that ensures attention to a partner's needs following an intimate encounter.

Aftercare is a kinky practice that ensures attention to a partner's needs following an intimate encounter.

Therapy

Is It Ever Okay to Treat a Couple and an Individual in It?

David J. Ley Ph.D. on May 24, 2024

The question of whether a therapist can or should provide conjoint individual and couples therapy is a hotly debated issue with no clear guidelines or answers.

The question of whether a therapist can or should provide conjoint individual and couples therapy is a hotly debated issue with no clear guidelines or answers.

Sex

The Ethics of Erotic Videos in Academia

David J. Ley Ph.D. on April 1, 2024

Joseph and Carmen Gow were university leaders. They also made erotic videos. Can people have a public sexuality and still be ethical professionals? This is their side of the story.

Joseph and Carmen Gow were university leaders. They also made erotic videos. Can people have a public sexuality and still be ethical professionals? This is their side of the story.