Sex in the Brain : How your brain controls your sex life
by Amee Baird
4.28 · Rating details · 36 ratings · 5 reviews
In Sex in the Brain, clinical neuropsychologist Dr Amee Baird reports on the brain pathologies of people whose sex lives have undergoing dramatic change, for better and worse.
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Petra X - sadly 1 step forward & 2 back
Aug 17, 2020Petra X - sadly 1 step forward & 2 back rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
A 5-star read. Very heavy on the science, very fun though, as sex should be. The end chapter was about the differences in brain between major porn consumers, male, and those who only viewed it an average way (twice a week!) It is a bit of a chicken and egg situation, it isn't clear cut like the brain changes in drug or alcohol addictions. How the author decided to investigate it was quite funny. There was a businessman sitting on the train and she was sitting opposite. Where others looked at their papers or phones, he held his straight in front of his eyes but she could see the reflection in the mirror - early morning hard core porn. It amused her, but not the woman sitting next to her who went ballistic. (The man kept his composure at the tirade but got out at the next station).
The book is absolutely unique and talks about the sex changes brought about by dementia - one woman with whom it was difficult to have a coherent conversation went in for sexting. She had lined up a man to come to her house and rape her daughter! One type of epilepsy has an aura first that affects women, they have an orgasm and then a fit. But it is so pleasurable that even though they co-operate with doctors about trying to control the epilepsy, they hide the orgasmic aura and generally resist surgery if it is considered necessary. Parkinsons, Asperger's and strokes can all affect sexual desire and preference.
The most important idea I got from the book was if there is any neurological or psychological, that is brain, issue you are seeing a medical professional for, you must ask what the sexual implications of the disorder and treatment are. And if treatment whether medical or surgical, if the sexual function is negatively affected, can it be treated. The doctors, psychologists, nurses and surgeons aren't going to tell you if you don't ask.
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Notes on reading Size matters, the bigger the better! In this very scientific book on sexuality and the structures, systems and pathologies in the brain that affect size, it is definitely proven that the bigger it is the better. The amigdala that is. Normally the size of a 5c piece, even one a little bigger, say 6c, increases the libido. The bigger it is the more you want sex, remove it and uh, there you go, a lifetime of 'not tonight darling' ensues. Luckily we have two so even if one is damaged or surgically removed, the sex drive would still be there.
This is a fascinating book. A lot of it is case studies in what went wrong and what the consequences were sexually speaking, (not always bad, but mostly). One huge, possibly impactful issue emerges, neurologists and neurosurgeons do not, often will not, discuss the possible effects of treatment or surgery on a patient's sex life. Should you find yourself in a position where you need any kind of treatment to your brain, then you, as the patient, or the patient's partner must raise the issue and make them discuss it.
One of the more fascinating cases is paedophilia caused by a brain tumour. It could have been a latent sexual preference, but since the thought police don't (yet) exist, doesn't matter what someone thinks, only what they express and do. But it might not have been. A man went to prison for interfering with his teenage daughter - the mother went to the police. During his sentence, he complained of a screaming headache and got diagnosed with a brain tumour that was swiftly removed. He returned to a normal sexuality and eventually went home to live with the family.
Some years later he again began to have fantasies of sex with young girls and children and collected, as the first time, a hoard of related pornography. The brain tumour was regrowing. Another operation, and again, he was cured.
It seems that the amigdalae are the seat of impulse control, sexuality and appetite and of (some) personality traits. Any damage to them will have results. One man who was a real curmudgeon became a loving husband afterwards!
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Wading through Finding Freedom: Saint Meghan and her Royal Puppy Harry and the failed coup of taking over the Royal Family (view spoiler) This sex and science book was light relief from that. Even reading "Triganometry as a profitable hobby" would be more enjoyable than that syrupy confection of hypocrisy, lies, conjectures and stratospheric praise. But I shall do it. I will not fail and dnf it. I WILL NOT. I might have to employ the kitchen method. (Keep book next to microwave and kettle, read only when waiting for them to ping.
As an aside Welsh jokey slang for a microwave is popty-ping, isn't that lovely and onomatopoeic? Popty is Welsh for oven and ping is what it does. Of course). (less)
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Lyanhua Khash-erdene
Jan 31, 2021Lyanhua Khash-erdene rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Interesting facts of sexual behaviour changes caused by brain injury and disorders under sexy title.
Dr Amee Baird completed her PhD and Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology) at the University of Melbourne and wrote the book in 2019 after several years of completion of her PhD study.
The book helped me understand how sexual orientation or desire can be affected by trauma or disorders also how sex can be dangerous to seduce brain issues to get worse. Interestingly written facts about different neurological disorders and brain injury in relation to sex drive. Not recommendable to people who want to read about human general sexuality.
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Phoebe Chin
Aug 04, 2021Phoebe Chin rated it it was amazing
Shelves: read-with-a-broken-brain, easy-read
A fun, quick, informative read.
I started reading this on a whim sometime last year (2020, I think) and re-borrowed it to continue from where I'd left off. Raises some interesting questions about cognitive decline and the legal consequences thereof if a crime is committed as a result of neurological changes. (less)
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Essam Munir
Aug 10, 2020Essam Munir rated it liked it
Generally, the book dealt with an interesting topic in neuroscience. It is more like an attempt and I couldn't put it in a certain category "is it a narrative of cases? or delving into the neuroscience of sex?". It is like scratching the surface. I was hoping for more in-depth discussion of the accounts of patients. (less)
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Elliott Dooley
Apr 20, 2021Elliott Dooley rated it it was amazing
In the style of the great Oliver Sacks, Dr Amee Baird presents her most interesting casses of patients experiencing sexual changes after a brain injury. Some of these cases bring complex legal and moral questions that will leave you puzzled. For those interested in the neurology/psychology this book is a fascinating look at how fragile the essence of "you" is in the face of a brain injury. This is Baird's first book and I certainly hope its not the last. (less)
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