Group10Sex,Drugs,andLove.ppt

Sex, Drugs and Love: A Few Good Altered States Group 10: Keren Alon, Alexander Fields, Dean Martinez and Hayden Rausch The Neural Basis of Sex as an Altered State Hormones Testosterone: plays a role in desire and arousal. Estrogens: no apparent direct role in arousal. However, loss of estrogens impairs physiological arousal response in females. Prolactin: high or low levels inhibit sexual response. Hormones Continued Oxytocin: Plays a role in maternal behaviors. Facilitates physiological and psychological sexual arousal. Pheromones: volatile signaling substances secreted from glands. Thought to be sensed in the Vomeronasal organ. May have role in female reproductive cycle synchrony. May also facilitate sexual behavior. Begin Neurotransmission End Neurotransmission Neurotransmitters Nitric Oxide (NO) Key player in clitoral and penile erection through the NO/guanylate cyclase/GTP/cGMP pathway (Viagra works on the cGMP component). Serotonin Depending on receptor type can facilitate or inhibit sexual behavior. Approximately 95% of 5-HT receptors are peripheral (including the vascular smooth muscle of the genitals). Possible locus for the sexual side effects brought on by SSRIs. More Neurotransmission Dopamine Seems to facilitate sexual feelings and behaviors Cocaine often reported to increase sexual enjoyment. Chronic use impairs sexual function. Still Neurotransmitting Epinephrine Plays a role in the maintaining detumescence in males Plasma levels have been shown to increase with arousal, peak at orgasm, and return to baseline within a few minutes post-climax (in females). Norepinephrine has similar effects. End Neurotransmission Opioids May modulate levels of hormones released, leading to changes in arousal. In male animals opioid levels increase during sexual activity. Chronic opiate use causes sexual dysfunction. Spinal Control of Sex Some sexual functions are under spinal control. Women with spinal injury are still able to achieve orgasm. Ejaculation is