Ménage à trois? Wild orgies? One night stands? Who says science can’t be sexy?
Certainly not Binghamton University researchers, who are hard at work uncovering the sultry secrets behind human sexual behavior.
The team – led by Dr. Justin Garcia – recently identified a dopamine receptor gene known as DRD4 that is purportedly linked to chronic infidelity and “uncommitted” one-night stands.
And wouldn’t you know it?
The very same gene has already been linked to alcoholism, gambling addiction and a predilection for really bad horror movies.
Oddly enough, another study claimed the mysterious gene was responsible for political liberalism, along with “openness” to new social situations.
“What we found was that individuals with a certain variant of the DRD4 gene were more likely to have a history of uncommitted sex, including one-night stands and acts of infidelity,” Garcia confirmed.
“The motivation seems to stem from a system of pleasure and reward, which is where the release of dopamine comes in. In cases of uncommitted sex, the risks are high, the rewards substantial and the motivation variable – all elements that ensure a dopamine ‘rush.'”
Garcia also noted that individuals carrying the “thrill-seeking” gene were twice as likely to have a history of one-night stands as those without the variant.
“[Still], the study doesn’t let transgressors off the hook. These relationships are associative, which means that not everyone with this genotype will have one-night stands or commit infidelity.
“Indeed, many people without this genotype still have one-night stands and commit infidelity. The study merely suggests that a much higher proportion of those with this genetic type are likely to engage in these behaviors,” he added.
[Via LiveScience]
