Human Sexual Behavior and the Cerebral Cortex
Human sexual behavior is highly influenced by the cerebral cortex, a part of the human brain responsible for memory, language, and fantasy. It also has many connections with the limbic system and plays multiple roles in the development of sexual behavior. Numerous biological, psychological, and social factors affect this part of the brain.
Lesions in the Amygdala
The amygdala mediates many aspects of emotional learning and behavior. It controls the vast range of human emotions, from joy and sadness to disgust and excitement. In addition, the amygdala plays an important role in emotional arousal. Studies of the neural basis of emotion typically focus on behavioral or physiological measures.
Neurons in the amygdala receive input from a variety of cortical and subcortical brain structures. The amygdala's central amygdala nucleus receives dense input from the prefrontal cortex, which includes the insula and orbitofrontal cortex. Other cortical areas that receive input from the amygdala include the lateral nucleus and the accessory-basal nucleus. These areas are important in mediating the arousal process of the brain, as well as memory.
Role of Dopamine
Dopamine is one of the main neurotransmitters in the human body. It is released during arousal and is associated with the motor aspects of copulation. It stimulates the penis, which promotes sympathetic ejaculation. It also promotes erections and reverses the inhibition experienced after sexual exhaustion.
In humans, dopamine is a primary driver of sexual motivation, with many different neural substrates involved. In fact, dopamine is involved in the processing of reward and complex cognitive processes involved in sexual motivation.
Role of Serotonin
Serotonin plays an important role in human sexual behavior. Its levels in the brain are regulated by other neurotransmitters, including dopamine and norepinephrine. Several drugs are known to affect serotonin levels in the brain. Studies in animal models have suggested that these neurotransmitters may either facilitate or inhibit sexual activity. However, there are few human studies assessing the effects of drugs on serotonin.
Serotonin is essential for achieving and maintaining an erection and controlling ejaculation. In one study, drugs that block serotonin reuptake inhibited sexual behavior and decreased sexual interest. Another study suggested that the type of receptors that serotonin interacts with affect the amount of serotonin in the brain. If too much serotonin is produced in the brain, it inhibits sexual activity and leads to premature ejaculation.
Role of Limbic System
The limbic system is an area of the brain that regulates a variety of human behaviors, including sexuality. It is comprised of various areas, including the anterior cingulate cortex and the middle cingulate cortex. In addition, it contains several connections with the cerebral cortex and plays multiple roles in human sexual behavior. It is influenced by a variety of biological, psychological, and social factors.
Researchers studied the relationship between the limbic system and sexual desire. They discovered that the limbic system enhanced activity in response to images of sexuality. However, this effect was not reflected in measures of attention, sexual arousal, or anxiety. This finding highlights the importance of studying human sexual behavior and its neurological and physiological basis.
Impact of Social Rules
Human sexual behavior is influenced by social rules and norms. This may differ from culture to culture. In some cultures, sexual activity is only acceptable within marriage. In others, premarital and extramarital sex are commonplace. Some sexual activities are illegal globally or within countries because they are considered to be against societal norms. For example, in many jurisdictions, sexual assault is a crime.
The traditional male-female gender roles reinforce the tendency for people to engage in risky sexual behavior. This conflict over the use of condoms is a prime example of how social norms can affect sexual behavior. Avoidance of condoms may lead to a higher risk of STDs and unintended pregnancy.
Influence of Testosterone
The role of testosterone in the development of female sexual desire has long been disputed, but research has shown that males who have higher levels of the androgen are more likely to have multiple partners and to engage in more heterosexual vaginal sex. The study findings provide the first population-level insight into the role of androgens in human sexual behavior. Previous research on male and female sexuality has tended to focus on aspects of reproduction and the ability to achieve an erection.
The role of steroid hormones in sexual behavior is unclear, but researchers have found that testosterone stimulates the steroid-responsive network in female higher primates, which may account for its delayed effect on sexual response. Researchers have also discovered that ovarian hormones activate a large part of the steroid-responsive network in the brain.
