Lust

Lust, the most basic of all of the hypothesised systems involved with love is characterised by the seeking of sexual gratification (Fisher et al., 2002). Lust is extremely powerful and has the ability to block out commitments and responsibilities in its pursuit of pleasure, and the brain is command central (Sukel, 2013).

What triggers this intense desire for sensory pleasure is unique to every person. Experiences are highly variable and involve the diverse individualism of judgement. However, once spotted the environmental/sensory input stimulates the hypothalamus (Sukel, 2013). The main function of this small almond shaped structure deep within the brain is to maintain homeostasis within the body, including maintaining blood pressure, temperature regulation, hunger, thirst, emotional regulation, and to control sexual behaviour and reproduction (Saper, 2009).

Once activated the hypothalamus synthesizes and secretes neuro-hormones, directing the pituitary gland to release testosterone and oestrogen, suppling these hormones to various organs of the body (Momberg, 2011). The increased level of testosterone in the body produces the ‘let’s get in on sensation’ of focused attention and sexual arousal. If the hypothalamus becomes damaged or is removed then any interest in, or ability to perform sexually disappears (Sukel, 2013). Additionally, although not without its critics, testosterone is successfully used as a treatment for both men and women to improve low or non-existent sex drives (Margo & Winn, 2006).

The brain is also able to subconsciously identify the presence of sexual behaviour in others. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a high tech magnetic scanner that uses radio waves to take non-invasive pictures of the internal organs of the body. The reason we are able to see changes in the brain during stimulation is because, when the molecules become excited (in this case by smelling the sweat of sexually or non-sexually aroused males) the blood flow to those excited areas of the brain alters, this alteration in blood flow omits ‘energy signals’ which maximise blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signals. These signals are recorded and sent to a computer for processing, generating a 3D image of the designated area being examined.

How an MRI works. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGcZvSG805Y

Results of fMRI studies demonstrated that the hypothalamus in women became activated when smelling the sweat of sexually aroused males, but was not activated when the sweat of males who had not been sexually aroused was smelt (Zhou & Chen, 2008). This suggests that pheromones play a significant role in who we may find attractive.  The way a person smells results in us becoming subconsciously primed to be attracted to mates with whom the chance of successful courtship are increased.

http://pherolibrary.com/what-are-pheromones/9

Based on the above scientific findings it appears the first stage of love (lust) has a hypothetical neural process that produces a behavioural response which can be stimulated consciously or subconsciously. Without diving too deeply into the whole mind-body problem it is noted that opinions differ on how mental events relate to physical events. Some people believe we enter this world to some extent as pre-programmed computational beings who only have the impression of free will, but for whom that is all it is, an impression. Others believe we are conscious of our thoughts and desires that precede our actions, free to choose those actions, and as such, if perceived at a conscious level, the way we see, view and interpret the environmental stimulus, or object of desire, can alter our reaction to it. This is an exceptionally complex philosophical issue that cannot be ignored in any discussion on brain behaviour. However, what is observed here through the scientific findings is that our thoughts (either conscious or subconscious) somehow become neural events that affect our behaviour.

An ability to regulate emotions is a part of human experiences, and, therefore, should also be possible during the first stage of love. For example: men and women do not learn how to become sexually aroused, it is pre-programmed, but they do learn from their moral upbringing what behaviours are appropriate and inappropriate when relating sexually to each other. Therefore in a sense lust is hardwired, but additionally we can consciously interrupt our natural reaction and consciously suppress the sexual urge.

Unfortunately there is a paucity of research conducted into the neurobiological substrates associated with the suppression of emotional responses for the first stage of love. This is further restricted by the limited relevance of animal studies; as animals do not possess the higher order thinking of humans and the one study that is available offers limited generalisability of findings with only 10 Caucasian males represented and arousal restricted to just one type (Beauregard, Levesque & Bourgouin, 2001). Despite the limitations Beauregard et al’s research supports the idea that humans possess the ability to influence the electrochemical dynamics of their brains. When sexual desire was consciously suppressed other areas in the brain became activated, the right superior frontal gyrus and right cingulate gyrus. These areas are involved in self-awareness and behavioural regulation (Beauregard et al., 2001).

Thankfully, even when not consciously suppressed many factors are at play influencing behavioural responses. Decisions are made based on an evaluation of the risk, anticipated penalties, and expected rewards.  These overpowering feelings of lust are transient and either mellow over time returning to a neutral state, or develop into the attraction stage of love.

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