Sex is one of the most powerful forces shaping our lives. One could easily argue that it is the biggest force of all. This past May I wrote a feature piece on renowned scientist and neuroeconomist Paul Zak, Ph.D., whose book The Moral Molecule: The Source Of Love And Prosperity chronicles his groundbreaking research into oxytocin — the molecule which is responsible for uterus contractions during mammalian birth as well as milk flow during breastfeeding. His curiosity centered on one question: what else could this ancient nurturing chemical be doing inside of us? What he discovered would go on to rewrite everything we thought we knew about love, morality, sex, monogamy, promiscuity, social dynamics, and the human experience as a whole. His research showed that oxytocin is the governing “connection” molecule in human beings (you can read the entire story in the link at the bottom of this post).
While reading Brain Pickings this morning, I came across a brilliant video by Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown — the duo behind AsapSCIENCE — which provides the viewer with the most succinct and straight forward explanation of how sex and oxytocin affect the human. And Maria Popova of Brain Pickings was also kind enough to couple this video with another which explains the fascinating reason why internet porn will be with us forever: “In this talk from TEDxGlasgow, physiology teacher Gary Wilson peels the curtain on the complex scientific processes that accompany, and perpetuate, the world’s addiction to pornography. Specifically, he looks at how the Coolidge Effect fuels internet porn.”
Both videos are absolute must-sees, and for more great stories from the worlds of science, philosophy, creativity, literature, and all things fascinating, be sure to visit Maria Popova’s BrainPickings.org and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
SEE ALSO: Groundbreaking Research Discovers The “Love” Molecule: The Source Of Morality, Monogamy & Connection
