Girls will be Boys and Boys will be Girls

It's been over a month now since my last blog, which kills me, so I am now committed to blogging twice a week regardless of my crazy job or upcoming exams. 

Today, an issue that hits close to home for me: transsexuality. I'm sure many of you have heard the age-old argument that being transgendered is little more than a psychological disorder. So I guess I want to explore the basis for a genetic explanation and also the idea that even psychological disorders stem from a biological cause- hormonal, structural, or otherwise. 

Lets start with a bit of terminology; I have already used both the terms transgender and transexual and many people use them interchangeably. However, there are distinct differences between the two words. The first being the obvious discord between "gender" and "sex", the first being a social construct and the later a biological phenotype. 

Transexualism refers to an individual who identifies with a gender which is different to their sex at birth. It was first described by Magnus Hirshfeld who wrote a journal paper in the 1930s with reference to the first genital reassignment surgery. However, the english term "transexual" was not introduced until 1949 by D. O Cauldwell (who interestingly shares the same surname as my first girl crush). He used the term to refer to people who wished to change their physiological sex. 

In contrast, transgender has come to be used as more of an "umbrella term" (only standing under this umbrella will get you wet). Transgenderism refers to people who do not typically conform to gender roles associated with their sex and may identify with a different gender without the overwhelming necessity to change their physiological sex. The term is thought to have been coined by Charles "Virginia" Prince. She wrote, "I know the difference between gender and sex and have simply elected to change the former and not the latter". 

So, moving on to the science, kids. 

Firstly, correlations do exist between transgenderism and genetics. One of these is a gene variant described in 2008 in Vienna which is associated with female-to-male transgendered individuals. The variation relates to an enzymes involved in metabolizing sex hormones and can influence early brain development via increased testosterone levels. 44% of the 50 trans-men involved in this Austrian study carried the gene. 

Transgenderism has long been identified as a psychological disorder described as "Gender Dysphoria". Many trans individuals are upset by this and while I would argue that transgenderism is definitely NOT a "mental disorder" - homosexuality was also described as a mental disorder in the Psychiatric Handbook until the 1970s - I am hesitant to dismiss the evidence supporting the idea that the brain does play a role. That is not to say it is not genetic or present at birth, simply that the cause centres around neurological changes (most likely hormonal). 

So what is Gender Dysphoria?Essentially, it is described as discontentment with the sex one is born with. By definition, it is present from very early childhood, with reports of confusion about physiological body features starting from as young as 2 years of age. Perhaps the most alarming facet of this is that self-harm commonly occurs by 8 years of age, when individuals try to change body parts which do not match with perceived gender identity. Every year children are taken to hospital with mutilated penises and breasts from desperate attempts to remove them. 

One parent "Sally Jones" says her daughter "Nick", who was born male, has identified as female since she was 5 years old and first attempted suicide at 13 because her body disgusted her and the ridicule she faced for opting to wear girls' clothing was just too much. 

It is because of this self-harm in children that a huge medical debate is underway internationally as to whether or not we should allow the use of hormone-suppressant drugs to stop the onset of puberty in transgendered children to allow them time to consider gender reassignment surgery without the often unbearable changes to their bodies which commence with puberty. 

Clinics in the Netherlands have now began prescribing "puberty blockers" to children as young as 11. They claim that no one has ever come to them regretting the treatment. I think this is a wonderful step forward and yet, at the same time, the United Kingdom and much of the US and our own country refuse to give intervention treatments until age 16, when they believe children are "old enough to decide". However, the irreversible developmental bodily changes (such as breasts or facial hair) are well underway by the age of 16. 

The first case in Australia to allow for hormone suppressants occurred in 2004 and (after a long court battle) was allowed. I would elaborate on the case but I have been unable to find more than vague references on the matter. More recently, a male-identified twelve-year-old in Victoria was also granted permission by the Family Court to undergo puberty-blocking treatment as well apply for passports and medicare documents under his preferred gender. 

The controversy this was met with and furthermore the fact it had to be taken to court is ridiculous. The hormone-suppressant treatment is reversible and more importantly, life-saving. 

I leave you today I hope not depressed but informed,

This is Z singing out.

Good luck for exams!

Orgasmic Science

Orgasm is a physiological response caused by the autonomic nervous system over which we have no conscious control. It is essentially the contraction of pelvic and abdominal muscles initiated by a spinal reflex caused by sexual stimulation. But what does that even mean? We understand the mechanism but why does it happen? Unless you believe in God and consider orgasm some kind of "gift" to us, then we have a lot to discuss, kids. 

So lets go back to the beginning, when do orgasms begin?Believe it or not, male fetuses have been observed to masturbate in the womb shortly after the development of both spinal nerves and fingers. This poses the idea that the experience is instinctive and not learned. 

For men, evolutionarily speaking, orgasms are beneficial to the species. They encourage reproduction through pleasure and are associated with the ejaculation of sperm. Strangely enough, women are also able to experience orgasms despite little evolutionary reason for this. I'm sorry, ladies, but your pleasure does not increase fecundity. So why do women have orgasms then? 

For quite some time, a popular theory circulated suggesting that orgasmic contractions of the uterus are designed to suck up sperm from the vagina, but this has since been proven fictitious. 

No one, as of yet, has a decisive answer to my question, but a likely possibility is that female orgasm is an evolutionary accident caused by the shared developmental pathways in the uterus between males and females, similar to that of nipples in men. Women need nipples to supply milk to their young, but men have them, too. They may not give milk, but like female nipples they can be sexually stimulated. 

Nipples aren't the only thing that can cause sexual stimulation, or even orgasm. Paraplegics often develop a sexually sensitive area above the site of their injury. One heavily-researched woman in the US even orgasmed when cleaning her teeth. 

So what happens to our brains during orgasm? A brain scanning study conducted recently by the University of Groningen demonstrated that areas of women's brains literally switch off during orgasm, including those involved in emotion and caution (remember oxytocin?). The effect existed in men, but to a lesser degree, perhaps because male orgasms are shorter (though more regular). 

It is a common misconception (though not amongst lesbians!) that the female orgasm is designed to happen during heterosexual sex. Data actually shows that while many women struggle to climax during heterosexual penetrative sex, they can usually orgasm via direct clitoral stimulation. In the case of lesbians, both penetration and clitoral stimulation, on average, cause greater sexual arousal than in heterosexual females. Take that!

The National Health Service in the UK estimates that people who have more than two orgasms a week and twice as likely to live to their 60's and that regular sex improves cardiovascular health in teenagers. It has even been suggested that orgasms can be a cure for hiccups. I have an exam on Monday... So till next time, kids, and remember that orgasms are good for many things.

This is Z, signing out.

The Invention of Lying

Emily Dickinson once made the astute observation that the truth is such a rare thing it is a guilty pleasure to tell it. Indeed it seems that the western world, one of institutional bureaucracy, lying has become so common place that it binds us together, supporting our precarious relationships and fragile societal order.


This past week (as many of you are aware), I have been keeping a record of every lie I tell. Whether it be a simple exaggeration, or a small omission of the truth, contextual lies and false flattery alike have all been recorded.


I am happy to admit, that I expected to record the occasional lie,  everyone lies. However, when forced to examine each social interaction and sift through my conversations, I was alarmed at just how many words passed my lips which could be considered a lie (from a social psychological perspective). Perhaps more worryingly, was the lack of effect that recording these lies had on me. Lying it seems, has become an almost autonomic response (a reflex), so much so that we fail to acknowledge that it is taking place.


So, now that you all questioning your trust in me, lets look at the casualties.


9 Bluffs
8 Contextual lies
6 Fabrications
4 False flatteries
5 misleading lies/ommission of the truth
3 exaggerations (hyperbole not included)
3 Emergency lies


The only lies to strangers involved false flattery or omission of the truth, and the most common lies to friends were contextual lies.


Fabrications are something which I found particularly interesting to examine, because it is possible for a scenario to exist, whereby you offer something you believe to be the truth, but have no proof of, and it is still considered a lie. Thus, I was stringent in my assessment, and deemed anything for which I had no proof but stated as truth as a fabrication. Contextual lies were similar in that many involved simply filling in gaps in my memory, a seemingly innocent act. Or else using an event or idea out of context in order to make an argument or a point, though this is perhaps a more self-serving undertaking.


This so called "Book of Lies" has really gotten under my skin, leading to alternating guilt and bemusement, and the ultimate conclusion that the fabric of society is one held together by a web of lies.


I want you to close your eyes for a moment (when you finish reading obviously) and picture for a moment a world without lies. No, more than that, picture a world of radical honesty. For those you that have seen the 2005 "Invention of Lying" this wont be a difficult task, for those of you who haven't, I recommend you do.
It's a world where everyone lacks not only the ability to tell an outright lie, but also the ability to "step around" the truth, hence everything they are thinking, they express to others.


She'll tell you your voice is somewhat shrill and you talk too much when you're nervous, and in light of this, she won't kiss you goodnight because she never plans to see you again, even though you tell her she is quite possibly the most beautiful girl you have ever met.


He'll pass you in the street and tell you that because everyone has enlightened him to the fact he's a failure, he is going to kill himself, only you won't be able to correct them, or tell him you know that everything will be okay, because you don't so you can't.


You'll take your feverish child to the hospital and the doctors will tell you that most children with fevers over 40 degrees Celsius die and that there is absolutely nothing that they can do, except appreciate how lucky they themselves are that their own kids are safe at home.


Yes, sometimes, lies are self-serving and Machiavellian, they hurt and they maim. I don't deny that. But I guess, in spite of this the point I am trying to make is that whether or not lying is morally wrong, or the truth is inevitable, sometimes lies are necessary. Because sometimes they are the only thing that keeps us together on our incessant search for meaning in this directionless, apathetic world. So who are you or I  to say what is and what isn't a legitimate reason to lie?


Mark Twain once said "The truth is the most valuable thing we have" he went to add "that is why I conserve it".


Till next time; always tell the truth even if you have to lie and remember sometimes it is possible to be surer of what is kind than what is true.
This is Zee, the liar.
Signing out.

Same-Sex Families

It seems that in having put off writing this blog, it is now partially topical with the current debate in New South Wales parliament surrounding gay couples' right to adopt.

In case you haven't already guessed, what I want to explore today is the idea of homosexual verses heterosexual parenting, an issue, which, despite my own sexuality, I have often pondered. So after tireless hours, and dozens of psychology journals, I bring you what I hope will be an insightful perspective on same-sex parented families.

Firstly, it is important to consider that there are many limitations looking into so-called "gay families". For this reason you will notice that much of the research relates to families with two mothers as opposed to two fathers (the former being a more legal and viable option at the present time). Thus, please do not assume this is my personal bias, I have tried to include as much information here as possible.

1 in 5 lesbian women and 1 in 10 gay men in the US describe themselves as a parent (very few reliable Australian statistics exist, though I doubt we have less gay parents, more likely an ardent hate of math!).

Just as with heterosexual families however, homosexual families come in a wide variety of types, including single parents (I myself come from a single parent family). Research since the mid-1980's (Golombok S, Spencer A & Rutter M, 1983) has consistently found that parents' sexual orientation does not correlate with changes in children's behavior or social relationships, when looking at single mothers, either homosexual or heterosexual. Moreover, those who had grown up with lesbian mothers (single or otherwise) failed to show any increased likelihood of being homosexual themselves (Tasker FL & Golombok S, 1997).

On a similar topic, Wolf and Mikach (1995) interviewed 75 sons from same-sex families with two gay fathers and found only 9% identified as gay or bisexual (estimates of those with in the general population who identify as gay or bisexual vary from 4-17%).

A study into adolescent health in the United States in 2008 (Udry JR, Bearman PS & Harris KM.) comparing 46 matched pairs of homosexual/heterosexual families found that adolescents in same-sex parented families (average age of 15) were no more or less likely to be romantically involved or show substance abuse or delinquency than their counterparts brought up in heterosexual families.

Consistently, what seems to affect children's social adjustment and behavior most is the warmth and quality of their relationships with their parents, biological or otherwise - gender and sexual orientation aside (ChanRW, Raboy B & Patterson CJ, 1998). This is one effect that I'm sure we have all observed in life, unfortunately abusive and neglectful parents rarely bring up extroverted, conscientious children.

Last but not least, another area which I am hesitant to explore but feel I should mention, is gender roles and gender identity which, while not as widely researched, have not, as of yet, been proven to be influenced by parental gender (Green, Mandel, Hotvedt, Gray, & Smith, 1986) though these roles have only been researched with reference to favorite games, toys and television shows (which, in my eyes, are very subjective measures, as you all know I'm not a huge fan of gender binaries in the first place!).

If anything, what recent research is indicating is that having gay parents may actually be beneficial. Research surrounding the longest running study on same-sex families (the National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study) which has been running since 1986, suggests that children brought up by two mothers are, on average, more intelligent and more socially well-equipped. The children who were tested were aged 17 and compared with a control group born to heterosexual parents from a similar socioeconomic and educational background.

And so as I leave you today, I urge you to speak up in favor of same-sex families, because we deserve the right to 2.5 children and a white picket fence as much as our heterosexual counter parts.
Gay rights are human rights.
This is Zee, signing out. 

The Book of Lies

Everybody Lies. 

With the exception of some intellectual disorders and a wide range of persons encompassed with in the autism spectrum, everyone lies.

As we discussed in our previous look at this topic, lying is the first hypothetical construct children will learn, and something which in maintained in later life, with the average person lying at least once a day.

This time I wanted to examine the psychology and rational behind lies, taking us all a little deeper than simply the origins of lying.

To this end, for the next 7 days I will be keeping a journal. Recording every time I lie and the reason behind it. I have aptly named this little black book, "The Book of Lies". Credit for this idea goes the @Ruby Taylor.

We all have a tendency to define what is (and isn't) a lie in differing ways, often to suit the situation we are in. The oxford dictionary defines a lie as; "an intentionally false statement, used with reference to a situation involving deception or founded on a mistaken impression, an untruth expressed as truth".

Now thats out of the way, lets examine the widely excepted "types" of lies in social psychology.

The Big Lie
This term was coined by Adolph Hitler and refers to a deception which is so extreme or large that it is often contradicted by common sense or information the person being lied to possess.  However when the lie is of sufficient magnitude it is able to succeed due to the basic human assumption that something so significant could not, and would not, be fabricated and/or the reluctance of humans to scrutinize popular belief.

Careful Speaking/misleading
Essentially refers to the selective omission of certain relevant information and facts, thought no outright lie takes place, the intent remains to make someone believe an untruth.

Compliments/false reassurance
This is perhaps the most common form of lying in which we all engage, commonly known as "white lies", and consisting of exaggerations or false sentiments intended to please another individual.

Bluffing
pretending to have an ability or intention you do not in fact possess.

Contextual Lies
Taking a truthful statement out of context in order to deceive, i.e "twisting the truth".

Emergency Lies
A lie told in order to hide a truth that would harm a third party.

Exaggeration
Hyperbole, where the facts of a fundamental truth are polarized i.e "stretching the truth".

Fabrication
The submission of a statement or fact as truth, when it is unknown as to whether it is actually true or not.

Jocose Lies
Lies told in jest for example sarcasm.

Nobel Lies
A lie that benefits others and/or maintain law and order in society.

Due to an impending exam, I'm going to leave it at that, and we can talk psychology after my exam on Thursday.

So till next time kids, remember; a half-truth is still a whole lie.
This is Z,
Signing out.

PS. Should any of you want to keep your own Book of Lies, your insights would be much appreciated, I am simply recording the type of each lie and the relationship I have with the person to whom it was told. 

Gay Genes?

Another day another blog.

I think I failed chemistry last night, so as recompense I feel I ought to incorporate some into this blog.

Today I am blogging (yet again) about the nature/nurture debate surrounding sexuality, with a little bit of scientific research to broaden your understanding (and mine).

For many of us, there is a decisive point at which we can first identify genuine sexual attraction to a member of the same sex. For others, it was something they always knew and accepted, or a gradual development over time.

Looking back, the first time I can really put my finger on it, was one of my best friends in junior high school. While the foundations had long been present, with inklings of same-sex attraction since Louisa C in grade 5 (I've always a been sucker for blondes) it was Miss M.D who forced me out of cosy denial. (I've neglected to mention her name on the preface that she is no longer that way inclined!). I wrote endless diary entries about her, torn as to whom to tell, and how to proceed, surprised and confused about how she made feel. But we're not here to talk about me, I just thought I'd share my own experience about a sexual attraction which I feel I had little control over.

Bring on the science!

A longitudinal study in Toronto, Canada (amongst others) has found that if you are male, the number of older brothers you have appears to affect the likelihood of being gay. The "fraternal birth order effect" suggests that each older brother increases your chances of being homosexual by approximately 30%. This is not thought to be environmental (from examining adoptee children) but rather genetic, and related to the mother's immune system, and the H-Y fetal antigen (present only in males), which can trigger an immune response in mothers. It is thought that mothers’ antibodies may develop a resistance to the H-Y antigen over time with exposure, meaning subsequent male fetuses are exposed to different immuno-environments. Interestingly in support of this, there is no similar correlation in same-sex attracted females.

While on the topic of females, earlier this year a gene was discovered that affects the sexual preferences of female laboratory knockout mice. Knockout mice have genes systematically removed, and when this particular gene is removed, female mice reject the advances of males and instead try to mate with other females. The mouse gene codes for an enzyme that adds sugar to proteins affecting their estrogen levels. The brains of mice embryos lacking the gene are flooded with estrogen and, as a result, develop more like the brains of male mice (with female anatomy). However, it is impossible at this stage to know whether or not there is a similar gene in humans as this particular gene does not code for the same enzyme in humans, and masculinity in humans is controlled by testosterone not estrogen.

Another study (on which I intend to elaborate in the next blog) relating to children raised in same-sex families, found that they were no more likely to consider homosexual relationships than children raised by heterosexual parents. 76 children aged 17 in the US were interviewed and compared to children raised in heterosexual families of similar household income and educational background.

To finish up, here’s a fun one... Take a look at your hands. Pay particular attention to your index and ring fingers. In women, these two fingers are usually almost equal in length. In men, the ring finger tends to be much longer. The ratio of the lengths of the index finger to the ring finger is called the 2D:4D ratio. Low ratios are considered "masculine" while high ratios "feminine" because development of fingers in the womb reflects testosterone levels. Testosterone levels are typically higher in women who experience same-sex attraction.

So next time, kids, when you're parents ask where they went wrong, tell them you're not giving their parenting style all the credit for your amazing sexuality, because some things are just random, due to a little thing called meiosis and DNA.
This is Z, signing out.

Everyone's a Liar

First things first, huge news. My blog has caught the attention of Fuse (ok... so maybe I sent some stuff to the editor, on the advice of @Emma Erikson) but the point is they've loved it and they've offered me a 650 word column every issue! 


So, here you all are, witnesses to a little blog thats about to be published in a real magazine! First article will be in the September issue, its free, so grab and issue and show everyone! 


Moving on however... An article on New Scientist caught my attention today and prompted the topic of today's blog. Lies.


"I'll tell you about lies. There are white lies and black lies, and many shades of grey lies...Everyone is a liar". 


So why and how do we do Lie and is there a science to lying?


Lets start with some stats shall we?


-The average person lies at least once a day, and is lied to up to 200 times.
-The average person student lies twice a day, and in 46% of conversations with their parents (I thought you'd all like that one!). 
-1 in 5 social interactions involves a lie. 
-Twice as many lies are told to benefit the liar, rather than another individual 


These rates aren't as strange as it might appear, think about how many of your social interactions each day involve deception, even in its mildest forms.
When the person  at the super market check-out asks after your well-being, how many people do you think give a genuine answer? "Thanks for asking, actually, I've had a terrible day, I drunk myself stupid last night, threw up on a doctors shoes this morning and had to skip work, hence why I'm buying mi.-georing and orange juice yet again, instead of anything that could be considered real food".


While humans aren't the only primate to exhibit behavior that can be seen as lying, we do seem to have refined lying to a somewhat ridiculous level. From attracting a "mate" and other self-gain, to preservation of dignity and seeming altruism, lying has become an integral part of life as we know it, despite it almost universal condemnation as a threat to the moral fabric of society. 


Children, it would seem, develop the ability to lie around the same time they begin to gain self-awareness, with the use of self-pronouns and self-recognition ushering in minor acts of deception. Research suggests that intelligence is often indicative of lying ability in children, with some children able to lie by the age of just 3. Furthermore, the average four year old lies every two hours. This seems quite paradoxical at first given that abstract thought may not be achieved by children till the early adolescence. Then again honesty and morality are very abstract concepts. Deception however is not.  


But is this Machiavellian streak learned or perhaps more worrying... innate? No one, it seems has a answer for this highly contested issue. But in leu of an answer here's a little something on detecting lies...


Voluntary and involuntary muscles are controlled by two distinctly separate parts of the brain, understanding this fact is key when it comes to spotting a lie, because while the same muscles are involved in a fake smile and the real thing, minor differences exist because different mechanisms are controlling them. There is a significant amount of research for instance to support the idea of "smiling with your eyes", it appears that only when a smile is real, do the muscles around our eyes contract. 


In total there are currently around 17,000 recognized facial expressions and your unconscious recognizes in a way your conscious mind can not hope to achieve, so rule number one is trust your intuition. 


Speech patterns are also generally a good place to start, while there is no universal indicator here, liars will generally use more negative words than people telling the truth, it is also not uncommon (in case of a unplanned lie) for the liar to repeat the question in an outraged tone, rather than actually answering, planned lies also tend to be accompanied by exaggerated tones or overly flat tones. 


When it comes to body language, this varies greatly depending on whether the lie is spontaneous or pre-planned, so we'll look at them separately, and then together.  


Pre-planned:
-Less blinking
-Too much eye contact


Spontaneous:
-More blinking 
-Not enough eye contact


Both:
-Covering disgust with a smile, it is difficult not the pucker the nose
-Conversely masking sadness is given aware by a raised brow
-Less gestures
-Pupils dilate
-Fidgeting with hair and clothes 


It is important to remember that many of these behaviors are simply indicative of stress or anxiety, and therefore may not simply occur when someone is lying. 


To finish off, I am not by any means condoning lying,but I personally do believe that many moral grey areas exist and that non-self serving lies might have a place in some situations. But bare in mind that the research says (unless you are a sociopath and pathological liar), lying makes us uncomfortable, it leaves us in a state of lasting unrest and fear, causing rumination and intrusive memories... so think before speak. 


This is Z, signing out. 

The Chemistry of Love (take 2).

Day twenty seven:

A while back (before I had the world's worst hang over and then caught a lung infection) I promised Danni and Emma another blog, to clarify that even I don't believe love only comes down to chemicals and biology.

So here goes; The Chemistry of Love Part Two (this time with less chemistry I promise).

Firstly I guess what maybe I want to clarify is that love having a biological process to back it up only furthers its existence rather than diminishing it. Because here we have this ridiculous phenomenon which renders us speechless, senseless and otherwise irrational and despite this isn't some pseudo-spiritual occurrence but one that messes with they very chemistry of our brains.

Oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine, we know they fluctuate as we fall in and out of love...when we have sex with stranger and bond with our new born children but why?
There's the mystery you should content yourself with Danni, or rather tear your hair out over. It doesn't make sense, heck half the time it makes the opposite of sense, it contradicts natural selection and general well being turning us into hyper-maniacs (literally, see the previous blog if you haven't already kids).

Mark Twain once described love as "the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired"
Just to play the devils advocate... how does unrequited love fit in to this?

John Marsden made the simple observation that love is "liking someone with all their faults". (No criticism here from me, if only because he's my hero, he once signed a book of mine "live, love, take risks" <3 )

Henry Louis Mencken- Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence.
(This one I can not agree with more, though that is not to say it is a positive outcome!)

C.S Lewis- We love to know we are not alone.

Diane Arbus- Love involves a peculiar unfathomable combination of understanding and misunderstanding.

Just a short blog today, assignments beg my attention so lets end with the best quote I've heard to date from the lovely Emily Dickinson who said; "That love is all there is, is all we know of love".

So till next time; Live. Love. Take Risks!
-Z 

Because Love is a Ghost

Because Love is a Ghost
The distraught musings of unwritten letters
Indelible fragments of nonexistent memories
An unspoken promise bourn aloft
On the far flung hopes of something better

The ghost of a reality
Tenuously hinged on consciousness.
An evanescent ruse, a dream
a dream of her.
A dream of mortality.

The execution of fleeting passion,
Nuanced in agony
Tormented by ambivalence.
A purgatory for the surreal
Because Love is a Ghost.

The Chemistry of Love

Ok, so because right now I have 2 weeks worth of chemistry lectures to watch as well as this mornings chemistry lecture, I am writing a procrastinatory blog instead. Wow it turns out procrastinatory is a word. I love language...! Quash your  laughter at my nerdiness immediately and keep reading. 


So here's the thing, we talk about sex and sexuality a lot, (especially for of you who've been reading since my notes were called "The Whatever Generation", in which case as tried and tested readers I demand you check out the real blog http://idburnthiscitydowntoshowyouthelights.blogspot.com/


But what about love? 


I have a friend whom ardently announced on a hung-over road trip once that she believes love does not exist. She suggested when we fall "in love" it simply a justification of lust in cohorts with friendship.


Personally I think it comes down to how you define love. 


The oxford dictionary;


-An intense feeling of affection
-A deeply romantic or sexual attachment to someone
-A great interest of pleasure in something


Assuming love is a hypothetical construct (e.g. truth, hate, motivation) these all provide a plausible circumstance for its existence.


But in the popular culture of westernized society love has exceeded the boundaries of this definition, it now comes with connotations of irrationality and a certain blindness, the kind that can only end in heart-break and disaster. Society it seems, loves to take what should be a simple concept and polarize it till an alternate and ambivalent definition has been created. Thus to many Love has become inexplicable, almost spiritual occurrence,  one so ridiculous that much of our generation has lost faith in the whole idea. 


But what if there was a scientific explanation for "love"? Can we explain this phenomenon in the same way we can explain sadness, and joy? (Which occur consequently with the release of certain neurotransmitters and hormones in the central nervous system).


"Love" is perhaps the most complex, widespread neurological process to date, and there's still a lot of potential candidates as far as neurotransmitters involved go, but here's some research to consider.




When we first fall in love, serotonin levels plummet to a degree similar to that of sufferers of obsessive compulsive disorder. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter linked to feelings of well being, excessively low levels of Serotonin can even lead to "religious experiences" and other delusions. 


In addition to Serotonin, dopamine floods the brain, giving a high similar to that of illegal stimulants, creating a strong association between pleasure and our love interest. Despite dopamine being a normal neurotransmitter (also released when we eat chocolate and even shop) it is highly addictive, and thus break-ups can lead to withdrawal symptoms worse than those of many addictive drugs. 


If you've ever wondered why the lines between love and good sex become blurred, then the answer you're looking for could be Oxytocin, a polypeptide hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. It is released in women during labour and is best know for its role in cementing the relationship between a mother and her new born child. But Oxytocin is also released during orgasms for both males and females.The amount of Oxytocin released into the brain increases with the quality and quantity of sex, and creates a sense intimacy similar to maternal closeness. 


It can also affect the sex-appeal of total strangers, the more Oxytocin coursing through our veins the more attractive and trusting we find strangers. It is thought that this neurotransmitter dampens the activity in the amygdala, a region of the brain which deals with fear. So next time you have a wonderful one night stand, which ends with you swearing undying love to the persons involved, remember oxytocin. 


But then again... who am I to say what's love and what isn't? 


Notably Oxytocin levels also surge with the use of the drug Ecstasy, meaning that "coming down" after a high, is literally equivalent to having your heart broken. 


One particular study in Switzerland has found that teenagers who consider themselves to be in love, exhibit symptoms and brain wave pattern similar to people suffering from hypomania. They required an average of one hours sleep less than others their age, acted 60% more compulsively, particularly when driving, and had reoccurring intrusive memories similar to people suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome. As to whether these symptoms were psychosomatic or not, research was inconclusive.


I have a biology lecture now, 
So till next time, don't give up on love.
-Z 

A Guide to the Perfect Wingman

Day Sixteen:

So I know today's blog was meant to expand on the concept of a gender spectrum, but what can I say, I'm tired, I'm lazy, and a little bit hung up. 

So, today I bring you the guide to finding the perfect "Wingman".

I have a friend (quite determined that she should merit a mention in this blog), who believes that meddling in other peoples sex lives can only lead to disaster. This is a theory I thoroughly disagree with, when the meddling is of the prescribed kind, a carefully thought out ploy to help a friend in need never goes astray. 

Lets start with the criteria necessary for a good wingman;

-Not considerably more or less attractive than you, IF you plan on taking them out with you (wing men can act in many ways as you will see). 

-LOYAL; you have to be sure this person will never steal the girl/guy you are after, it tends to help if you have distinctly different types.

-Good at talking, being smart and manipulative are always a bonus as well. 

-Forgiving, when you drink to much, throw up on their shoes, sob on their shoulder, your wing man needs to be willing to patch things up and not hold it against you.

Lets start with the roles of a wing man;

1. RESEARCH: we're talking possible relationship here not one night stand, in this case it is your wing man's job to subtly ask around, google and generally read up on your potential love interest. So that you find out about that Harry Potter fetish, STI or psychotic boyfriend before you take your clothes off.

2. FOUNDATIONS & GROUND WORK:

I have split this into two categories:

Clubs & Bars (one night stand):

-Your wingman must know your type, and scout out potentials (this can also be considered research, along with talking to his/her friends)

-Wingmen are their to make you look shy and sincere, they can start a conversation, invite her/him and their friends over to dance with you, or if they're particularly skilled the head-tilt is always a useful tool.

The head tilt consists of 3 easy steps for the wing man: make eye contact, smile, and then simultaneously raise eye brows and tilt chin upward-wards in the direction you, indicating your interest. The smile must never be to suggestive however or they may assume you and your wingman are a couple.

-Distracting and occupying a girl/guys friends is also vital, and sometimes even necessitates  your wingman taking one for the team and dancing/hooking up with someone not even vaguely their type.  

Potential Relationships:

Potential relationships are a much trickier task for a wingman. 

Their is a range of things over time that a wing man can do to catalyze the process:

-A wingman should be able to use their eyes alone to tell everyone in a room that you and your potential love interest are off limits. This is vital. 

-Talking you up; a wing man should always steer conversations with your love interest toward you, and always turn your flaws into features while still making you seem human. 

-Alone time can always be engineered in a social situation if your wingman is a good actor, it is their job to think of reasons why you and your love interest may need to "go outside" to "get some air" because it looks much less suspicious this way. 

-Social networking via your wingman with the love interests friends is a fail safe way of gaining "friend approved status", facebook is your friend, but don't over do it.

3. CLOSING THE DEAL

Your wingman needs to be ready with a cab and willing to make their own way home. They need to be able to smile and console themselves with her/his less attractive friends and always carry spare condoms. They call you the next morning with pestering questions of how it went, and be willing to pick you up from some strange house on the other side of town. 

They are an amazing friend, and you owe them. 

Hope you all learned something, and got a laugh out of this,

Till next time, live fast and play hard kids,

-Z 

Questions on Gender

Day Fourteen:

Tonight I racked my brains for a long time about to what to write about in my tired state of mind and decided, whilst musing to muse that I would write about Gender, now I've done some reading but as always opinion will be a rampant element of my writing so correct me if my facts are at all askew. 

Lets start with the authoritative definition of the good ol' oxford dictionary, its a starting point at least... 

"the state of being male or female (typically used with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones) "

I like that... its better than expected (though far from ideal), I like that it has been considered that not only are some biological factors changeable (i.e genitalia) but that gender in it self is a societal or cultural construct.

It will always be argued that chromosomes are the be all and the end all when it comes to gender. There's only two combinations right?

xx and you're female, xy and you're male.

Well lets stop right there. Because there's a few exceptions to the rule we should discuss. 

It is actually possible to be "male" in the sense that male genitalia are present (phenotype) along with the distinct lack of a womb and still have two x chromosomes (thanks to a sex determining region usually present on the Y chromosome but some times found on the x chromosome).  It is also possible to be female despite having XY chromosomes. 

There are also cases in which individuals are born with XXY or XXXY or even XXXXY, however in most cases they will be "male" in the sense of phenotypes. 

It is also possible to have only a single X chromosome, which is the most common cause of Turners syndrome (wikipedia is your friend, to lazy to link). 

Look the point I'm trying to get across here is that even gender defined on the basis of chromosomes is subjective and relative.

Another circumstance which merits consideration is the possibility of inter-sexed individuals. 

Around one in 2000 babies in the western world will features stereotypical of both male and female phenotypes (generally as the result of chromosomal abnormalities, lets not get into that). It is medical convention, that in the case of such children the doctors in collaboration with the family involved will "assign" a gender to the individual, this may involve genital "corrective" surgery, this is rarely medically necessary, but rather for aesthetics. 

What I suppose frustrates me the most about this type of surgery, is not the fact it is conforming to the societal convention of two static genders, but rather that the infant has no ability to agree or disagree. In a society that claims to promote human rights and choice, here we are again, taking away the rights of a legitimate proportion of our population. 

This blog is getting rather long, so I'll leave you with the biology for now and we can discuss the psychology tomorrow. 

Till then, think about how gender affects you, look deep and seek out the oppressive stereotypes imposed on you, and refuse to be pigeon-holed, because you're more than your gender, and you know it.

Signing out,

-Z