Love, Sex, Attachment: Three Different Brain Systems?

Posted By on May 20, 2009

Biological anthropologist Helen Fisher says so.

… And I’ve also come to think that it’s one of three, basically different brain systems that evolved from mating and reproduction. One is the sex drive: the craving for sexual gratification. W.H. Auden called it an “intolerable neural itch,” and indeed, that’s what it is.  It keeps bothering you a little bit, like being hungry. The second of these three brain systems is romantic love:  that elation, obsession of early love.  And the third brain system is attachment:  that sense of calm and security you can feel for a long-term partner.

Fascinating stuff. More for the ever-expanding reading list …

The implication, of course, is that it’s difficult to keep all three systems happy at the same time.

Comments

One Response to “Love, Sex, Attachment: Three Different Brain Systems?”

  1. I LOVED this lecture! I’m so glad she is anti happy pills (anti-depressants) – she says long term use disrupts our ability to enjoy naturally occurring happiness and sex – does more harm than good.

You've Been Tempted.

Shadowy "Into Temptation" has been a forum about evolving social-sexual networks and how they have changed and are changing lives. In other words, we talk about dating and sex.

The original intention was that this blog would also chronicle a book project on the same subject; but that is in flux, on hiatus, perhaps meant for another time.