Keep in mind that everyone’s sex drive is different. And although no one is certain why one person has a stronger sex drive than another, neuroscientists are beginning to unravel and better understand the workings of the libido. One thing we do know: when two people click, it has as much to do with chemistry as it does with biology. Among the key factors that influence libido are the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. These brain chemicals send messages to the nerve cells, playing an important role in determining our sex drive.
Now recognized as a crucial ingredient in sexual arousal, dopamine is ultimately responsible for evaluating the many sensory stimuli you encounter in the course of the day. As that information—which is comprised of what you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch—is perceived by your brain, the dopamine system rewards you with heightened sensory states.
Nestled deep in the brain stem, dopamine is the so-called pleasure chemical messenger that makes us feel good. However, the brain is very stingy with dopamine, only releasing it from its cells for brief moments. When the neurochemical is discharged, it plugs keyholes, called receptors, on other cells. Once it has done this, dopamine is picked up by transporters and is stored and conserved for future use. Normally, the release of dopamine is pulsed on and off as needed. But, in some men, the discharge of this brain chemical is less frequent than it is in others. When this happens, the man is said to have a low libido. In other words, he just doesn’t seem very interested in having sex.
Serotonin has a different role. A calming neurotransmitter, it has a significant effect on mood, aggression levels, what foods we crave, and how much of them we eat. Too little of this chemical can result in sleep disorders, rage, and food binges. Too much, however, isn’t good either —it can have a decidedly negative effect on your sexuality. As we saw in Chapter 8, drugs which promote the release of serotonin can cause a decrease in sexual desire.
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