Sex and brain

the neuroscience of Sexual Functioning. Sex and Brain, How they Work Together...

1. The Neuroscience of Sexual F unctioning

2. Sex and the Brain What parts are involved ? Table of Contents 1. Neuroscientific Context 1.1 Testosterone and Oestrogen 1.2 Amygdala 1.3 Ventral striatum 1.4 Orbitofrontal Cortex 1.5 Vagus Nerve 1.6 Disorders 2. Analysis of Quality

3. Sex is primarily the process of combining male and female genes to form offspring, however over the past billion years complex systems of behaviour (and the motivation and reward circuits that root such behaviours) have evolved around this process and no where is this complexity more elaborately represented than in the human brain. At some point in their life, everyone will engage in sexual behaviour or at least experience sexual desire.

4. Ultimately the brain is the largest sex organ controlling the biological urge, mediating all thoughts, experiences and physiological responses to sex ,

5. Neuro -scientific Context Sexual desire is defined as (1) the behavioural drive that motivates individuals to fantasize about or seek out sexual activity . In contrast, sexual arousal is defined as the (2) autonomic physiological processes that prepare the body for sexual activity

6. Multiple locations in the Brain Limbic Level Activity The ‘Will’ has as much control over sex as it is over breathing, digestion like involuntary actions. Is it why “I wont masturbate” does not last long?

7. Sexual desire is initially modulated by the release of sex hormones , for males testosterone and for females oestrogen , our levels of these hormones are understood to affect our behaviour

8. Orbital Frontal Damage can induce abnormal sexual preferences Similar effect can be seen among people who are exposed to abnormal sexual activities: internet

9. Amygdala Largely mediated by emotion through the limbic system, activation of the amygdala can trigger penile erection, sexual feelings, sensations of extreme pleasure memories of sexual intercourse as well as ovulation, uterine contractions, and orgasm .

10. Ventral striatum using Positron Emission Tomography measured cBF in males during orgasm and found "primary activation was found in the mesodiencephalic transition zone, including the ventral tegmental area......Parallels are drawn between ejaculation and heroin rush ."

11. Orbitofrontal cortex shown in red In terms of sexual desire, the OFC is thought to mediate reward and punishment and personal assessment, however. This relates to mate selection to whether an individual is perceived as desirable Evidence through studies into facial attractiveness and those involving males presented with a sexually attractive visual stimuli both support the OFC involvement in this role

12. Sex and the Brain Damage to Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex can reduce sexual drive in a person Similar effect can be experienced due to depression, anxiety, stress, medications like antidepressants

13. Sex and the Brain Temporal lobe lesions can lead to hyper-sexuality and abnormal sexual experiences

14. Emotions influence cognition (Brain Functioning) Happiness Joy Satisfaction Excitement Love Security Depression Sadness Self Criticism Low mood Gloomy Anxiety

15. Brain, Sex and Emotions Emotions involve multiple areas of the brain: Amygdala Hippocampus Thalamus Hypothalamus Cingulate gyrus

16. Emotions are Influenced by: Perception Thoughts Beliefs Perspective of early experiences Emotional triggers - PTSD

17. Cognitive Behaviour Psychotherapy CBT is a corrective procedure of perceptions, beliefs, thoughts, emotional processes and behaviour. Perceiving partner as unattractive could be due to a reference to ex or actress. Girls should be submissive in bed belief could put off a person in bed.

18. Cognitive Behaviour Psychotherapy Anxiety: Early failures in sexual experiences can affect erection and performance leading to avoidance. Faulty conditioning: Having sex in a tense atmosphere: sex with neighbour’s wife, sex at terrace, public places – tranquility of closed room atmosphere might not trigger sexuality.

19. Inner Conflicts Conscious vs. the Sub Conscious Mind Not feeling like but trying Risk of being caught having premature ejaculation

20. Erectile Dysfunction Inability to achieve and maintain erection to complete the cycle of Intercourse. Erection for a male is directly linked to self Image and Pride: leading to enormous anxiety. Anxiety producing thoughts and Anxiety emotion shifts focus from sexuality to fear of performance thereby destroying erection.

21. Cognitive Behaviour Psychotherapy Graded Exposure Petting Foreplay without genital Foreplay with genital Oral stimulation = stop start approach Caressing towards orgasm but not intercourse

22. HSDD: Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women Could have been caused by premature ejaculation in their man. Erectile dysfunction in their man Poor understanding of sexual preferences and sexual performances. Marital problems Dysfunctional Beliefs about sexuality

23. CBT for HSDD Balance Sheet of Advantages and Disadvantages of Dysfunctional Beliefs Removing the faulty belief Removing the mid life crisis in relationship Reduce the sexual promiscuity among male due to sexual deprivation.

24. Conclusion: Psychotherapy has been reported to be effective form of psychological therapy for sexual disorders as it systematically focuses on perception, thoughts, beliefs and behaviour of a person.

25. Thank You Harold Caramat