Jim Pfaus has spent the past decade doing something that sounds a little out of the ordinary: watching rats have sex.
This is not a hobby for Pfaus, he is simply a neurobiologist who is trying to find out if animal sex has any correlations to human sex. His studies, as it turns out, do in fact show similarities.
So what are the most important things to learn regarding your own personal sex life from Pfaus’ studies of rats doing the deed? Playboy sat down with the “sexologist” to get some answers for us.
Our Brains Are Our Main Sex Organ
In the traditional sense, the penis and vagina are the primary sex organs. According to Pfaus, however, in reality it is our brains that are our sex organ. This is due to the fact that the brain creates arousal and desire from the hormones it is receiving while in the midst of sexual activity. The brain then alters the balance of these neurotransmitters to create the drive for sex.
There Are Four Elements To Sex
As was already mentioned, arousal is an important aspect of sex, but Pfaus says there are three other things to keep in mind when discussing sex: desire, pleasure and inhibition.
Desire Requires Intention
The main difference between arousal and desire is the idea of intention. Pfaus says that arousal is the conscious awareness of sexual feelings. Desire, however, is taking that awareness and having the intent to do something with it. So if you’re brain sends a message that leads your heart to start pounding when you brush up against an attractive person, then that is arousal. If you ask that person if they would like to get a drink with you with the intention of it leading to sex, then that is desire.
Alcohol Can Make Or Break Your Sexual Activity
We’ve all heard the term “whiskey d***,” and some of us have (sadly) experienced what a buzz kill it can be. However, we have also heard of people who had amazing sex after drinking a few shots.
Alcohol can, in fact, help reduce inhibition if consumed in low doses. But if a person is not feeling reserved initially, then it can inhibit them. Really, alcohol can make a sexual experience go either way, so be sure that you are drinking in moderation if you want a good lay.
Sexual Tendencies Are Learned
Pfaus has done studies that show female rats avoid potential partners if they expect they will be bad at sex. The same goes for humans: if we are taught that sex is a sinful act, then it can make it much more difficult to enjoy and indulge in the act. Thus, what we learn about sex can inhibit our sexual actions.
Our First Sexual Experience Shapes Our Genes
Pfaus and his team are discovering that there can be changes in gene expressions that are conditioned by a reward (e.g., sex.) If your first time having sex was a good experience, then you will be conditioned to associate sex with positive sentiments.
Your Partner Will Perform Better If You Recognize Their Skills
Giving positive reinforcement will help you and your partner in the bedroom. If something is good and you tell your partner this, they will be more likely to continue and acknowledge what feels good to you.
Good Sex Makes Us Think We’re In Love Because Of Synchrony
When you and a sex partner are vibing with each other in the bedroom, it makes sense that you will begin to wonder if the physical communication you share is more than just good sex. The brain begins to activate monogamous circuits that pose the questions, “Could [s]he be the one?”
Want to read what else Pfaus has to say about the brain, rats, and sex? Click here to read the entire interview he had with Playboy.com.
