Why I think Therianthropy is something much more

I feel like Therianthropy is something much more then believing your a non-human animal.I know ,its also an identity but I believe that there is something more then that.For me and how I experince Therianthropy is that it affects who I am and what kind of non-human animal I align with and for me there's SO many explanations for therianthropy that I really don't have the right words to say this all.But I think that Therianthropy and being a Therian is like a guide,guiding where your soul should be.Its finding what makes your therianthropy even happen in the first place and,I since there are so many unique experiences and perspective on therianthropy,I think that this is just only the tip of the iceberg to uncover since we really haven't put a label on why therianthropy even happens or why it affects us so much.Why it Means to us.Since I'm still a young pup,I may have not have all the information about therianthropy but I would like to share my thoughts about it and how I think so.

Honestly, I feel like an identity can be pretty damn strong. But also there are definitely therianthrope who feel less intensely about their therianthropy than this, who just... are animals.

Most identity affect who you are, it's kind of the point of the word, and it is logical that being a therian would influence what animal you are, since again, strict definition. So I am not sure if I understand your point on this specific paragraph?

I personally don't think that in the grand scheme of things, therianthropy is that special of a thing to happen. Brains can be weird in many, many ways, and I simply think therianthropy is one of the ways that can happen, just like some people feel objects are alive and develop bonds to them, or some other can see colors in music. I relish in this capacity of the human mind to just do odd things.

I do agree that I believe therianthropy can be a powerful motivator however, it is the main drive in my case toward studying biology ! And I've seen that be the case for many people, I know a falcon who is training to be a pilot to gain back his speed, or raven who sparked a desire to study the occult due to the symbolism of their theriotype. But I've also met many therianthrope who felt crippled by their animality, unfitting in a human world, so while it can sometimes be beneficial, it can also sometimes be painful without really having a meaning to why.

(2026-02-05 17:40)Hemlock Wrote:  Honestly, I feel like an identity can be pretty damn strong. But also there are definitely therianthrope who feel less intensely about their therianthropy than this, who just... are animals.

Most identity affect who you are, it's kind of the point of the word, and it is logical that being a therian would influence what animal you are, since again, strict definition. So I am not sure if I understand your point on this specific paragraph?

I personally don't think that in the grand scheme of things, therianthropy is that special of a thing to happen. Brains can be weird in many, many ways, and I simply think therianthropy is one of the ways that can happen, just like some people feel objects are alive and develop bonds to them, or some other can see colors in music. I relish in this capacity of the human mind to just do odd things.

I do agree that I believe therianthropy can be a powerful motivator however, it is the main drive in my case toward studying biology ! And I've seen that be the case for many people, I know a falcon who is training to be a pilot to gain back his speed, or raven who sparked a desire to study the occult due to the symbolism of their theriotype. But I've also met many therianthrope who felt crippled by their animality, unfitting in a human world, so while it can sometimes be beneficial, it can also sometimes be painful without really having a meaning to why.

Yeah,I do agree on the most part of what you said but it made me think about why it may even happen.Therianthropy is something intense on both sides and its very diverse too.The reason why I think therianthropy must be something bigger then us is the fact that most therians (but not all) experience past lives or visions of how they lived there life and its the idea of reincarnation too,the main thing that I think makes therianthropy so confusing and feeling a lot bigger is becuase of the fact the the animal mind is so remarkably confusing.We still don't know what level of mental state animals have to experience things and if they are aware of themselves or others.I like to think about it as the ToM (Theory of mind in Animals) siince it explores if non-humans can atribute mental states,I think that somehow connects to therianthropes who really believe they had a past life before,making it very much confusing for them and even a bit of sadness to why they cant have their body back.Although this is just an example,I feel like there is more to this (or not) but regardless this is something really cool to check on and think about.And yes some alterhumans can also want to do things in similar as there theriotypes,its a pretty awesome thing how we might even couquer that in simple means.Sorry If I sound really confusing though,its a really interesting topic I like talking about and I love what you think about it on your side.

I'll probably spend my whole life wondering why I am the way I am somewhere in the back of my mind.

Realistically, I'll probably never know. If there were any actual scientific studies I'd definitely sign up as a guinea pig but the probability of me ever getting this chance is close to zero. Most people will just assume therianthropy is a fashion statement and running on all fours because of all the damage TikTok and Tumblr have caused, or at least nothing more than a niche internet subculture. For a real study to take place, it either has to be one of us or one of us has to somehow make it relevant in the scientific community... though I believe there are things way more important to research than why I'm a were, like cures for various horrible diseases that exist.

I personally think it's just a mix of genetics and my own unique life shaping me into who and what I am. I'm actually going to do a little bit of researching myself soon... I'll force everyone I know to do a survey, most notably my dad. I don't know other therians in real life, but he's a very real candidate from what he's told me and what I observed and compared between the two of us.

However, in the grand scheme of things, perhaps the real answer isn't going to be nearly as interesting as anyone would like.

(2026-02-05 22:46)Observer Wrote:  I'll probably spend my whole life wondering why I am the way I am somewhere in the back of my mind.

Realistically, I'll probably never know. If there were any actual scientific studies I'd definitely sign up as a guinea pig but the probability of me ever getting this chance is close to zero. Most people will just assume therianthropy is a fashion statement and running on all fours because of all the damage TikTok and Tumblr have caused, or at least nothing more than a niche internet subculture. For a real study to take place, it either has to be one of us or one of us has to somehow make it relevant in the scientific community... though I believe there are things way more important to research than why I'm a were, like cures for various horrible diseases that exist.

I personally think it's just a mix of genetics and my own unique life shaping me into who and what I am. I'm actually going to do a little bit of researching myself soon... I'll force everyone I know to do a survey, most notably my dad. I don't know other therians in real life, but he's a very real candidate from what he's told me and what I observed and compared between the two of us.

However, in the grand scheme of things, perhaps the real answer isn't going to be nearly as interesting as anyone would like.

Even though there is some things more important to reserch in our lives,Its a somewhat interesting theory to think about,since we don't know what happens inside an animal mind,that might be some case why most therians feel trapped,unwanted in such body.What I'm trying to say is even though Therianthropy might not seem like a big deal for some,it is quite the opposite for others.I would love to know more about peoples expernceses with there therianthropy and how they feel about it.Either is something strong in pride and having supreme level thoughts about it,or might be as simple as just identifying as one.

(2026-02-05 23:45)blackfurclaws Wrote:  I would love to know more about peoples expernceses with there therianthropy and how they feel about it.Either is something strong in pride and having supreme level thoughts about it,or might be as simple as just identifying as one.

For me it's neither. I was actually gonna write a little essay about this.

Therianthropy isn't an identity for me. I could identify as an animal all day long, if I didn't have the experiences to back it up then I simply wouldn't be a therian, it would be wishful thinking. Therefore my experiences are the only important thing to me in determining my therianthropy. The "identity" bit is just a byproduct of this experience, a result of it, not the other way around. I could stop identifying anyhow this instant yet it wouldn't erase my nature.

So in short, my therianthropy is defined by my animalistic nature and nothing else. There's nothing more to it really, I'm not proud of it nor do I think it's fun or interesting. It's just there, and I'm a person who's much more than just this aspect of me, it isn't my defining feature either. At the same time though, it's extremely prominent in my life involuntarily. I wouldn't be a therian if I had a choice.

(2026-02-06 0:07)Observer Wrote:  

(2026-02-05 23:45)blackfurclaws Wrote:  I would love to know more about peoples expernceses with there therianthropy and how they feel about it.Either is something strong in pride and having supreme level thoughts about it,or might be as simple as just identifying as one.

For me it's neither. I was actually gonna write a little essay about this.

Therianthropy isn't an identity for me. I could identify as an animal all day long, if I didn't have the experiences to back it up then I simply wouldn't be a therian, it would be wishful thinking. Therefore my experiences are the only important thing to me in determining my therianthropy. The "identity" bit is just a byproduct of this experience, a result of it, not the other way around. I could stop identifying anyhow this instant yet it wouldn't erase my nature.

So in short, my therianthropy is defined by my animalistic nature and nothing else. There's nothing more to it really, I'm not proud of it nor do I think it's fun or interesting. It's just there, and I'm a person who's much more than just this aspect of me, it isn't my defining feature either. At the same time though, it's extremely prominent in my life involuntarily. I wouldn't be a therian if I had a choice.

Interesting point,I guess there are some therians who don't really think much of therianthropy as something to be proud of but whatever the case is,your side is just as interesting as to me! I've always seen therians express themselves proudly with some not so proudly.Or maybe none at all.But that's just how being a therian is ,as it flutuates and varys to person.But I'm glad you opened up about this and appreciate you saying your experince to you therianthropy.^^

(2026-02-05 23:45)blackfurclaws Wrote:  I would love to know more about peoples experiences with there therianthropy and how they feel about it

Hmmm...to be honest it is hard for me to describe because unlike many here my therianthropy is not that of a earth 'animal' like bears, panthers, armadillos (which are awesome by the way) and hence I don't have any desire to feel or act like any of those because while I like a lot of animals I personally do not identify as any of them in any manner.

I have not experienced 'shifts' as it is commonly defined either. My type is a 'demon' or at least that is how my kind was referred to for lack of a better term -and no...not the biblical or mythological kind either (nor 'fictionkin')

At any rate I don't see it as a matter of 'pride' as I didn't do anything to be 'proud' of..it's just a part of my psychological makeup I suppose. I question my 'type' frequently and in the end I simply accept it..will my type change? I don't know, in the beginning I was mistaken about my type until I realized that my current type and my original type shared certain attributes which explained why, as time went by, my alignment with my original type (dragon) began to feel more and more distant and fragmented.

Problem is that since my 'therian' type shares many similar qualities as earth humans it is hard to make a delineation between the two species but there are differences.

The problem, however, (at least for me) is that I am never really certain if what I think I feel is legitimate or is just a coping mechanism for something or if it is wishful thinking or some other thing. I have really nothing concrete to compare it to as all I have to go on is vague dreams and memories and since memories are notoriously unreliable I am left to constantly wonder if all my life it is just mechanism to shield my psyche from this bizarre human world.

However on the other hand what I feel -real or not- is a part of me that I guard like a private journal/treasure or belief system and while I am on this human dominated planet I simply try get along as best I can. In short I don't know if any of what I feel is real or just wishful thinking but in the end what matters is being able to get along in this world.

P.S: This is simply how I personally feel and intend no insult to anyone else's experiences

P.S.S: Blackfurclaws....I mean no offenses but could you please break up your post into a couple of paragraphs and put a space after the end of a sentence? I really had a hard time reading as everything is bunched up into a wall of text.

(2026-02-05 22:46)Observer Wrote:  However, in the grand scheme of things, perhaps the real answer isn't going to be nearly as interesting as anyone would like.

I don’t know about that lol. If research was to turn up an overarching psychological or structural cause(s) of therianthropy, I think that would be absolutely fascinating.

I personally have two theories for why I’m an animal and a human: a spiritual one that I would like to be true, and psychological one that I think is more likely. If my psychological theory is more accurate, I’d really like to know the mechanism behind it. I’m apparently something of an outlier in therian circles since I’m a cishet male, although I am neurodivergent (ASD and ADHD). I haven’t experienced any significant trauma in my life. The commonly trotted-out psychological reasons wouldn’t seem to apply to me, so I’d be very interested in the actual mechanism.

(2026-02-07 0:57)Parthias Wrote:  

(2026-02-05 22:46)Observer Wrote:  However, in the grand scheme of things, perhaps the real answer isn't going to be nearly as interesting as anyone would like.

I don’t know about that lol. If research was to turn up an overarching psychological or structural cause(s) of therianthropy, I think that would be absolutely fascinating.

I personally have two theories for why I’m an animal and a human: a spiritual one that I would like to be true, and psychological one that I think is more likely. If my psychological theory is more accurate, I’d really like to know the mechanism behind it. I’m apparently something of an outlier in therian circles since I’m a cishet male, although I am neurodivergent (ASD and ADHD). I haven’t experienced any significant trauma in my life. The commonly trotted-out psychological reasons wouldn’t seem to apply to me, so I’d be very interested in the actual mechanism.

You may think that, but from what we currently have, you may actually very much fall in! What research has turned up so far is that therianthropes are more likely to be on the autistic spectrum or display schizotypy (my case, doesn't necessarily means a schizospectrum disorder though, some schizotypy happens just in non disordered people).

From what we know (from what I recall), therianthropy in people with these appears to lead to higher quality of life, interestingly enough, so the simplest explanation could just be that it's one way for the brain to make sense of a feeling of alienation (even slight!) from very neurotypical peers, building on it and leading to animal identity. I very much believe furries and people with other strong association to animals also fall in these, since they display similar traits, therianthropy would just be a very anchored version of it.

I may be simplifying a bit too much the actual papers, so I'll try to dig em up later.