Just came from an interesting seminar called "Addicted to love: a neurobiological perspective." There was a lot to with figuring out the neuroanotomical basis of the ejaculation reflex. The most interesting result had to do with addiction.
Essentially, drugs of abuse (cocaine, amphetamine, opiates) when administered repeatedly can sensitize the subject to future drug infusions. For example, an animal pre-exposed to amphetamine will have a greater neurochemical and locomotor response to subsequent infusions than a naive animal that has only been pre-exposed to saline. Some people think this is part of the addiction process.
What the speaker found was that sex could also sensitize the animals to drugs like amphetamine. The real question is, what will the popular press and government do with this information? Will it be blown out of proportion until a natural, healthy behavior like sex gets labeled a "gateway" to drug abuse. Hmm...
Essentially, drugs of abuse (cocaine, amphetamine, opiates) when administered repeatedly can sensitize the subject to future drug infusions. For example, an animal pre-exposed to amphetamine will have a greater neurochemical and locomotor response to subsequent infusions than a naive animal that has only been pre-exposed to saline. Some people think this is part of the addiction process.
What the speaker found was that sex could also sensitize the animals to drugs like amphetamine. The real question is, what will the popular press and government do with this information? Will it be blown out of proportion until a natural, healthy behavior like sex gets labeled a "gateway" to drug abuse. Hmm...