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LSD: the learning drug, or is it?

Let's face it when you think of LSD (or google it), images of trippy visuals, tie-dye shirts, and maybe even Ed Shereen melting into his guitar come to mind. But what if I told you there's a buzz about LSD being a learning drug? Buckle up, psychonauts, because we're diving down the rabbit hole of this mind-bending debate. First, let's be clear: LSD is illegal and carries serious risks, both mental and physical. This ain't some "magic pill" for instant enlightenment. But hear me out... some pretty impressive figures have experimented with LSD and claimed it unlocked new perspectives and even fueled creativity. Exhibit A: Steve Jobs. The Apple co-founder famously credited LSD with "a peak into the top of my mind" and attributed its influence to his design sensibilities. Think about it, the sleek, minimalist aesthetic of Apple products – could that be a trip-inspired epiphany? Exhibit B: Aldous Huxley. This literary giant wrote "The Doors of P...
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The Psychology of Masturbation (It's not what you think)

 




Masturbation is one of the most common sexual behaviours in humans.
A study reported that masturbation was more common than sex with a partner in adolescents and people aged 70 and over. About a quarter of men between the ages of 18 and 59 masturbated a few times per month to weekly.
Roughly, 20% of the participants reported masturbating 2 to 3 times per week, while less than 20% reported masturbating more than 4 times weekly.


Reasons for masturbation and satisfaction with one's current sex life might influence frequency. Women tend to masturbate more when they are having frequent sex and are satisfied with their sex lives, thus “complementing” the sex they are already having. On the other hand, men masturbate more when they have less sex and are less satisfied with their overall sexual experiences. In this way, they "compensate" for the sex they were missing.


Masturbation is a widely observed behaviour in various mammalian and non-mammalian species. Young chimpanzees fashion DIY sex toys using pieces of chewed-up fruit. Female Sulawesi crested macaques engage in behaviour where they slap their rumps while repeatedly inserting their fingers into their vaginas.

Self-pleasure is common throughout the animal kingdom: from dogs humping unwitting teddy bears to dolphins thrusting their penises into decapitated fish (yes, it's true), animal masturbation is a raucous affair.





In one study, captive male Chacma baboons were observed masturbating while ogling females with large prosthetic bottoms. These prosthetic bottoms were attached by researchers to mimic the natural swellings that females develop when they are most fertile.


Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the function of masturbation in primates and other species. Previous research has shown that marine iguanas have an ingenious secret. Bigger males monopolize females, physically separating smaller males from their partners if they spot them copulating. To get around this, small males masturbate and store their ejaculate in a specialized pouch located at the tip of their penis. Next time there is an opportunity to mate, they quickly deposit their pre-prepared ejaculate.


Another possible explanation for male masturbation is that ejaculation allows males to replenish their semen with fresh, high-quality sperm more likely to outcompete other males.



References 

  1. Lateefah Roth, Peer Briken & Johannes Fuss (2023) Masturbation in the Animal Kingdom, The Journal of Sex Research, 60:6, 786-798, DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2022.2044446)2
  2. https://www.njsexualmedicine.com/blog/what-is-the-normal-frequency-of-masturbation#:~:text=For%20adolescents%20and%20people%20age,than%204%20times%20a%20week
  3. (M. Brindle et al.The evolution of masturbation is associated with postcopulatory selection and pathogen avoidance in primates. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Published online June 7, 2023. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2023.006)

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