1. Presents Sexuality and the Brain—XO and XXY?—Surely you’re joking!
Arlene R. Taylor PhD
Brain References

2. “It would appear that in most cases life is sexually transmitted…”

3. Remember Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Whatever else human beings are, they are relational, spiritual, and sexual (whether
or not they engage in sexual activity)
The brain is your primary
sex organ – sex begins
and ends in the brain
Sexuality impacts every
aspect of life, personal, professional—
at home, school, church, work, play …

4. Nature plus Nurture Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Humans are a combination
Nature: genetics – genes,
chromosomes, DNA
Nurture: epigenetics – environment,
hormones, cellular memory,
gene expression
But it is complex and not as fool-proof and straightforward as one might think

5. Human Genome Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org
Your complete set of genetic information encoded within 23 pairs of chromosomes
in the cell nucleus
(plus cellular memory
in protein strands)
A chromosome is a
single piece of coiled
DNA, a biomolecule that holds the blueprint for how living organisms are built - 99% of all DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) in your body is
found in chromosomes

6. Chromosomes Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Pairs 1-22 are numbered by size and appearance –
normally the
same in males
and females
The 23rd pair =
sex chromosomes

7. Sex Chromosomal Patterns Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Typical female
pattern:
44 + XX
Typical
male
pattern:
44 + XY
Sperm – smallest human
cell
Ovum – largest human
cell

8. Default Setting Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
All fetal brains start out
looking very similar
Without a chemical bath, the brain’s
default position will result in an
Empathizing (female) brain that sprouts
more connections in centers related to
communication and to the processing of
emotions

9. Templating & Variations Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
When everything goes according to
to the perceived schedule, the brain
develops and templates as expected by
family, society, culture, religion, and etc.
Either a primarily Systemizing or Empathizing brain in which the
brain matches its body housing
Templating mismatches (variations) do occur

10. Hormonal impact: Brain doesn’t always match its body housing regardless of chromosome patterns

11. Gender Brain Continuum Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Empathizing Brain
Equated more with
female brains – XX
XO, XXX
50-50
IntersexBrain
XX XY
Systemizing Brain
male brains – XY
XXY, XXXY, XXXXY
Includes 95% of the population
Checklists of psychological maleness
or femaleness give two scores (no one
is completely empathizing or systemizing)

12. “We Have Chemistry!” Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
When you and a romantic partner “have
chemistry” – you're right!
Neurochemistry triggers
sweaty palms, butterflies
in your stomach, a sense
of attachment / anxiety /
excitement / anticipation, and so on
That’s all it is: Brain Neurochemistry

13. Hijacked Brain Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Your brain is the most outstanding organ on this planet
It works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from birth—until you fall in romantic love
Then it gets hijacked by PEA or phenylethylamine and you become a Pea Brain

14. Brain Chemicals Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Falling in romantic love or being in love is fueled by a tsunami of at least three neurochemicals:
Phenylethylamine
Norepinephrine
Dopamine
Without this chemical impetus many likely would never marry or have children . . .

15. 1. Phenylethylamine or PEA Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
PEA is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter that resembles an amphetamine (stimulant); it triggers the release of norepinephrine and dopamine
It is also found in some foods
such as chocolate and avocado
PEA is responsible for the elation
and head-over-heels sensations
associated with falling in love

16. Addicted to PEA … Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
The couple may not make it past the PEA brain stage (if sexually active, PEA may last a little longer)
Some move from one relationship to another as soon as PEA begins to fall—
seeking that passionate PEA brain stage
If they marry, one or both may
have extramarital affairs trying
desperately to re-experience
that romantic hormonal tsunami

17. 2. Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline) Arlene R
2. Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline) Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Both a hormone and a neurotransmitter, it works with the autonomic nervous system (acts largely unconsciously)
and regulates sexual arousal
PEA triggers the release of norepinephrine, you feel the
effects in the form of sweaty
palms and a pounding heart

18. 3. Dopamine: Feel-better Hormone Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Dopamine is released when you feel or anticipate feeling better (50% is in the GI)
Release is triggered by phenylethylalanine, adrenalin, and by sexual activity
Emory University: voles (a rodent) chose their mate based on dopamine release - when female voles were injected with dopamine in the presence of a male vole, they later selected him from a group

19. “Honeymoon” . . . Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Chemically speaking, the honeymoon is over, about 18 – 48 months into a relationship (especially if relationship includes sexual activity)
You may have some small neurochemical tsunamis but rarely like it “used to be” – so grow up, get over it, and work
on building the relationship
(Hollywood relationships . . .)

20. Unconditional Love Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Unconditional love is a choice and requires maturity, constant nurturing, and commitment
Relationships that last longer than months are assisted by three other (different) neurochemicals:
Oxytocin
Serotonin
Endorphins

21. 1. Oxytocin – Bonding Hormone Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Plays a role in the neuroanatomy of intimacy, pair bonding (sexual activity increases oxytocin) and maternal behaviors
Oxytocin crosses the BBB but is destroyed in the GI Tract
Evokes a sense of contentment, reduction in anxiety and stress, promotes feelings of calmness and security when in the company of the mate, and allows orgasm to occur

22. 2. Serotonin Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
A neurotransmitter found primarily in the brain and central nervous system or CNS and in the gastrointestinal tract (90%)
It is believed to impact mood
and has been found to
contribute to feelings of
well-being and happiness
Increases with mild to
moderate physical exercise

23. 3. Endorphins – Brain Opiates Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
As the brain develops tolerance
to “love chemicals,” it starts
to release endorphins—
produced during exercise,
love, and sexual activity
Endorphins can calm anxiety, reduce stress, relieve pain, and increase attachment and comfort

24. Attraction Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Notices first the person’s clothes, eyes, and figure
Appreciation of
sex partner is more
romantic than sexual
Attracted to wealth, position, skill, and see possibilities
Attracted first to looks (figure, face, clothing)
Decide in about seven
seconds if they want to get better acquainted
More aggressive and
fall in love faster
(25% by first date)

25. Socialization Differences Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Males are encouraged to sow their wild oats; females are not and there is more censure for female sexuality
Even in the era of “free love,” promiscuity is accepted as more of a male norm
Some cultures: females are encouraged to LOOK sexual (arm candy for male partner) but then punished emotionally if they respond to flirting

26. Think Ahead Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
To compensate for the hormonal tsunami that hits you when you’re “in love”
Be clear about your standards
Identify key characteristics for a partner
Be the type of person you want to attract
Do you want that individual as the parent of your child(ren)?

27. Think Ahead, Cont’d Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Get to know the family—do you want them as relatives for your child?
The more you have in common, the less energy it will require to keep the relationship going
Trying to change someone is
a dead end street
The past is the best predictor of the future

28. Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
The Best and the Worst
Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Where there is an ongoing relationship of caring. Where there is a sense of humor. Where there is a sense of mutual mercy. Where there is a sense that God has given sex to you there is nothing livelier.
But when it is merchandised as a commodity for instant gratification,
there is nothing deadlier than sex.
―William Swing
(Your body is a temple…)

29. Know Better – Do Better Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
It is not that I do not know
what to do; it is that I do
not do what I know.
–Confucius
By itself, knowing is insufficient
Knowing must be practically
applied by choice in doing . . .
What do you know and what do you do?