Poetry and Storytelling by Kai
WORDS BY KAI. This site is the home of creative expression fueled by passion and inspired by the sparks of a my starlight muse. On these pages you will find my creative voice in lines of poetry, thoughtful essays and commentary, creative storytelling, and in an array of beautiful words to inspire the logophile in us all.
STARLIGHT NAVIGATION
HOMEPAGE ~ SITE DIRECTORY ~ ABOUT
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HOMEPAGE ~ SITE DIRECTORY ~ ABOUT
- ORIGINAL POETRY [A -F] [G-M] [N-Z]
- THOUGHTS AND COMMENTARY - [Personal Narratives] [Informative Articles] [Social Commentary]
- CREATIVE STORYTELLING
Learn new words with the Word of the Day and the topic Word Lists. Build your new vocabulary with new words, old words, obscure words and untranslatable words from faraway lands.
THOUGHTS AND COMMENTARY
Directory Informational Articles
Commentaries and essays on a variety of topics including parenting, the capacity for love, emotions, mindfulness and social issues.
The Science of Falling in Love... and Sex
The heart is the main player on the game of love but the brain is the coach on the sidelines lining up the every play you make. The Brain follows a biological process known as the the game plan.
THE GAME PLAN
DOPAMINE
The game starts with the hypothalamus. This area of the brain releases Dopamine (which is created in the brain and adrenal glands) and that results in ecstasy and excitement. So when you meet someone and you become attracted to them dopamine is the cause of that instant spark of chemistry. Dopamine affects various organs, including the genitals, the sweat glands, and also the senses. So in the early stages of lust or infatuation you will sweat more and you will notice the sky seems bluer or the sun seems brighter. Because dopamine is released your mood and emotions are are elevated and you experience feelings of excitement and happiness. Dopamine also triggers an intense rush of pleasure — resulting in feelings akin to the euphoria of taking cocaine. Once dopamine is released into the body, it leads to:
TESTOSTERONE & ESTROGEN
Within the brain, the pituitary gland controls a range of hormones including gonadotropin-releasing hormones (a human pheromone) and androgens. The most well-known androgen, Testosterone, is linked to sexual arousal and physical attraction. Both men and women that have high levels of testosterone have stronger sex drives and are more likely to have active sex lives. When people kiss, testosterone is exchanged through saliva. As testosterone is also the male sex hormone, it's possible that men struggle more with lust than women
The body releases estrogen in women and it creates a longing for physical closeness and desire for sex with the person you like. Testosterone in both sexes creates sexual desire, openness, and seductiveness.
Science demonstrates that estrogen makes women more attractive to men. When estrogen levels increase, women tend to:
SEROTONIN
The Brain then floods the field with serotonin. Serotonin causes the mind to only think about their new lover and nothing else. When this love chemical is in effect, people are engrossed in thought about that person about 65 percent of the day.
NOREPINEPHRINE, PEA & ADRENALINE
After this play in the game plan the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and PEA (phenylethylamine) deepen your focus and attention. You ‘zero-in’ on the person you desire while you feel an intense level of euphoria. Norepinephrine is a stimulant, so you will be alert which enables you to notice and remember even the smallest of details about your interest. PEA is responsible for the feelings of “ giddiness.” Adrenaline, on the other hand, is the reason your cheeks feel flushed, your palms feel sweaty and your heart races when you meet someone you like for the first time. As the level of adrenaline in the body increases, so does the level of appeal.
VASOPRESSIN & OXYTOCIN
Your then body produces a bonding hormone, called vasopressin. Vasopressin is a chemical released by the brain at the end of the attraction phase. It's responsible for transforming sexual attraction and infatuation into a mature, committed and authentic relationship — and is responsible for keeping love alive over time.
Vasopressin is also known as the monogamy chemical. It induces the desire to stay with your partner and facilitates a strong emotional attachment causing devotion. Along with this hormone the brain delivers the “cuddle” hormone known as oxytocin. Both these hormones bring a feeling of calmness, security and comfort. They solidify the bond the you have. However when vasopressin or oxytocin levels reduce in the body, the bond weakens and you no longer willingly prevent yourselves from being attracted to other people.
The heart may be the one who receives the glory when you fall in love but the brain is the gamemaster and it deserves appreciation for a job well done.
THE SCIENCE OF SEX
DOPAMINE
OXYTOCIN
CORTISOL
The release of oxytocin during intercourse also helps regulate levels of cortisol which is the stress hormone. This leads to a calming effect. The increased cerebral blood flowhelps our brain better process our response to anxiety.
PROLACTIN
Prolactin is also released during orgasm and is responsible for that feeling of satisfaction that accompanies orgasm.
SEROTONIN
The brain also churns out serotonin after an orgasm. This hormone is known to promote good mood and relaxation. In some people, serotonin can also lead to drowsiness and the desire to sleep.
ACTIVATION IN THE BRAIN
MISCELLANEOUS
REDUCTION OF PAIN
Your brain gives off chemicals that make you less sensitive to pain during sex.
DURING ATTRACTION
Sweaty palms is the result of a release of norepinephrine in the brain that stimulates sweat glands into producing. The palms are affected and since they're covered in up to 3,000 sweat glands per inch they can get pretty wet.
MALE EXPERIENCE
WOMEN’S EXPERIENCE
SURPRISING LINK TO THE TOES
Both men and women report contracting their toes when they climax. In the male brain the somatosensory neurons responsible for genital sensation are nestled next to those for the toes. Since toes and genitalia are close in the brain, there is neurological insight to the toe-orgasm association.
THE GAME PLAN
DOPAMINE
The game starts with the hypothalamus. This area of the brain releases Dopamine (which is created in the brain and adrenal glands) and that results in ecstasy and excitement. So when you meet someone and you become attracted to them dopamine is the cause of that instant spark of chemistry. Dopamine affects various organs, including the genitals, the sweat glands, and also the senses. So in the early stages of lust or infatuation you will sweat more and you will notice the sky seems bluer or the sun seems brighter. Because dopamine is released your mood and emotions are are elevated and you experience feelings of excitement and happiness. Dopamine also triggers an intense rush of pleasure — resulting in feelings akin to the euphoria of taking cocaine. Once dopamine is released into the body, it leads to:
- More focused attention on the person whom we like.
- Exquisite delight in all the smallest details of the new person.
- Need for attention
TESTOSTERONE & ESTROGEN
Within the brain, the pituitary gland controls a range of hormones including gonadotropin-releasing hormones (a human pheromone) and androgens. The most well-known androgen, Testosterone, is linked to sexual arousal and physical attraction. Both men and women that have high levels of testosterone have stronger sex drives and are more likely to have active sex lives. When people kiss, testosterone is exchanged through saliva. As testosterone is also the male sex hormone, it's possible that men struggle more with lust than women
The body releases estrogen in women and it creates a longing for physical closeness and desire for sex with the person you like. Testosterone in both sexes creates sexual desire, openness, and seductiveness.
Science demonstrates that estrogen makes women more attractive to men. When estrogen levels increase, women tend to:
- Dress sexy
- Flirt.
- Experience shifts in scent, skin tone, and voice pitch — all more attractive to men.
- Have a higher sex drive.
- Appear more masculine.
- Become exceedingly more attractive to women.
SEROTONIN
The Brain then floods the field with serotonin. Serotonin causes the mind to only think about their new lover and nothing else. When this love chemical is in effect, people are engrossed in thought about that person about 65 percent of the day.
NOREPINEPHRINE, PEA & ADRENALINE
After this play in the game plan the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and PEA (phenylethylamine) deepen your focus and attention. You ‘zero-in’ on the person you desire while you feel an intense level of euphoria. Norepinephrine is a stimulant, so you will be alert which enables you to notice and remember even the smallest of details about your interest. PEA is responsible for the feelings of “ giddiness.” Adrenaline, on the other hand, is the reason your cheeks feel flushed, your palms feel sweaty and your heart races when you meet someone you like for the first time. As the level of adrenaline in the body increases, so does the level of appeal.
VASOPRESSIN & OXYTOCIN
Your then body produces a bonding hormone, called vasopressin. Vasopressin is a chemical released by the brain at the end of the attraction phase. It's responsible for transforming sexual attraction and infatuation into a mature, committed and authentic relationship — and is responsible for keeping love alive over time.
Vasopressin is also known as the monogamy chemical. It induces the desire to stay with your partner and facilitates a strong emotional attachment causing devotion. Along with this hormone the brain delivers the “cuddle” hormone known as oxytocin. Both these hormones bring a feeling of calmness, security and comfort. They solidify the bond the you have. However when vasopressin or oxytocin levels reduce in the body, the bond weakens and you no longer willingly prevent yourselves from being attracted to other people.
The heart may be the one who receives the glory when you fall in love but the brain is the gamemaster and it deserves appreciation for a job well done.
THE SCIENCE OF SEX
DOPAMINE
- Dopamine, produced by the hypothalamus and formed in the ventral segmental area, is released with the hormone norepinephrine into areas such as the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex.
- The brainstem sends dopamine to many areas of our reward systems, like the ventral striatum (especially its major subcomponent, the nucleus accumbens), the amygdala, the hypothalamus, the septum, and the olfactory tubercle.
- Dopamine make us giddy, energetic, and euphoric.
- Neural activity in the hypothalamus that increases during sexual arousal is enhanced with the drug apomorphine, which works on dopamine receptors.
- Some antipsychotic medications and some antidepressants block dopamine receptors which inhibits sexual desire.
- Dopamine lets us anticipate sex but does not itself cause the intense peak of sexual pleasure.
OXYTOCIN
- A feel-good hormone, oxytocin, is released during sex. It is produced by the hypothalamus and released in large quantities during sex and creates a sense of bonding.
- Oxytocin is secreted by the pituitary gland and released in the hypothalamus. It makes us feel close to others and promotes affection.
- During sex, the brain releases oxytocin which heightens arousal and excitement. But when it wears off, it can leave people feeling really tired.
- Oxytocin is often accompanied by melatonin, the hormone that regulates our body clocks and the combination has a "calming" effect on our brains.
- Women tend to keep releasing oxytocin even after orgasmwhich may explain the motivation for need to cuddle.
CORTISOL
The release of oxytocin during intercourse also helps regulate levels of cortisol which is the stress hormone. This leads to a calming effect. The increased cerebral blood flowhelps our brain better process our response to anxiety.
PROLACTIN
Prolactin is also released during orgasm and is responsible for that feeling of satisfaction that accompanies orgasm.
SEROTONIN
The brain also churns out serotonin after an orgasm. This hormone is known to promote good mood and relaxation. In some people, serotonin can also lead to drowsiness and the desire to sleep.
ACTIVATION IN THE BRAIN
- When men view pictures of attractive women, there is more neural activity in the nucleus accumbens.
- The reward pathways in our brains are activated during and leading up to orgasm.
- Many parts of the brain are active when people are sexually aroused. The insula, the anterior cingulate, and the hypothalamus get into the act.
- The insula monitors the internal state of the body and regulates our autonomic nervous system, including heart rate, blood pressure, and sweat responses.
- The anterior cingulate monitors for mistakes to guide future behavior.
- The hypothalamus regulates the secretion of hormones such as prolactin and oxytocin into our bloodstream. In addition to the usual reward systems, parts of sensory cortex also get engaged.
- Sexual desire before physical stimulation activates the right amygdala which triggers penile erection, sexual feelings, and sensations of pleasure in men.
- A 2003 study focused on the link between male ejaculation and brain activityand found that the increase in blood flow to the cerebellum upon ejaculation also plays an important role in emotional processing
- During orgasm the ventral striatum is active in men and in women. That activity is to be expected, because studies link the nucleus accumbens, a major subcomponent of the ventral striatum, to pleasure.
- The ventromedial prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate, the parahippocampal gyrus, and the poles of the temporal lobes actually decrease their activity.
- The ventromedial prefrontal cortex is engaged when we think about ourselves and about our fears.
- The anterior cingulate is engaged when we monitor mistakes.
- The ends of the temporal lobes organize our knowledge of the world,
- The parahippocampus represents our external environment.
- A drop in neural activity in these areas means that the person is in a state without fear and without thought of themselves or their future plans. They are not thinking about anything in particular and boundaries disappear. This pattern of deactivation could be the brain’s transcendent experience of pleasure.
- The logical part of your brain basically shuts down during sex. This means people feel bolder and less inhibited during sex. The part of your brain in charge of your logical reasoning skills temporarily dims.
- The lateral orbitofrontal cortex becomes less active during sex. This is the part of the brain that is responsible for reason, decision making, and value judgments.
- Researchers have found that genital sensory cortex, motor areas, hypothalamus, thalamus, and substantia nigra all light up during orgasm.
- The thalamus helps integrate information about touch, movement, and any sexual memories or fantasies that someone might call upon to help them reach orgasm. Meanwhile, the hypothalamus is busy producing oxytocin and may help coordinate arousal.
- Motor areas are also involved because the body is moving and the genital sensory cortex is registering touches to the body's nether regions.
MISCELLANEOUS
REDUCTION OF PAIN
Your brain gives off chemicals that make you less sensitive to pain during sex.
- The pituitary gland is activated and the release of endorphins, oxytocin, and vasopressin promote pain reduction. This may help explain why things that might make us wince normally (like spanking or hair-pulling) aren't as painful during sex and can even be pleasurable.
- The reason that some people derive sexual pleasure from experiencing pain might be related to the fact that orgasm and pain actually affect a few of the same areas of the brain.
- Several of the areas of the brain (namely, within the cortex) that are responsible for pain are active during orgasm.
- Although the relationship between pain and orgasm isn't yet fully understood, some research has shown that vaginal stimulation might actually reduce pain sensitivityin some people.
DURING ATTRACTION
Sweaty palms is the result of a release of norepinephrine in the brain that stimulates sweat glands into producing. The palms are affected and since they're covered in up to 3,000 sweat glands per inch they can get pretty wet.
MALE EXPERIENCE
- When men have sex activity in the aggression-inducing amygdala slows down.
- A healthy man may have three to five erections in a night, each lasting around half an hour. The one many wake up with is the last of the night. There are suggestions of a link with REM (rapid eye movement) sleep when people are most likely to dream.
- Erections are not necessarily under conscious control. Usually they are associated with sexual arousal, but not always.
WOMEN’S EXPERIENCE
- When women have sex their fight-or-flight response is ready to launch.
- Nipple stimulation releases oxytocin, which can cause the uterine and vaginal contractions associated with orgasm. This brings more blood flow to the genitals and, for some lucky women, that can mean an orgasm.
- When women experience orgasms, activity in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex located behind the left eye diminishes. That region is linked to self-evaluation so it may allow women to relax more and focus on what's happening.
- The female anatomy is packed with more than 8,000 nerve endings.
- Frodsham says about a third of women easily have orgasms from penetrative sex, a third sometimes do and a third never do.
- Scientists can’t prove the G-Spot exists. But the clitoris is much larger than some people assume. The clitoris actually surrounds the vagina. The protuberance is only 5% of the clitoris.
- Women can quickly orgasm again if stimulated, but men cannot.
- Researchers have suggested that the G-spot is a cluster of nerve endings connected to the pudendal nerve or is a highly sensitive area that triggers sensation within the vagina, for the clitoris and within the urethra.
- The clitoris can move during arousal and sex, so some scientists suggest that the G-spot is actually part of the clitoris. Given that nerve and muscular sensitivities may and probably do differ among most women, the G-spot may not be located in the same place or exist in every woman.
SURPRISING LINK TO THE TOES
Both men and women report contracting their toes when they climax. In the male brain the somatosensory neurons responsible for genital sensation are nestled next to those for the toes. Since toes and genitalia are close in the brain, there is neurological insight to the toe-orgasm association.
STARLIGHT POETRY BY KAI
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See Creativity Chaos - a Creativity Blog by Kai
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© 2019-2020 Copyright Starlight Poetry
VIEW FULL SITE DIRECTORY
View Me on Twitter @kairosoflife
See Creativity Chaos - a Creativity Blog by Kai
About | Reprints & Copyrights | Home
© 2019-2020 Copyright Starlight Poetry
VIEW FULL SITE DIRECTORY