The Biological Experience

Apropos of the addiction experience (though quite aside from lumping “uncommited sex” and “one-night stands” in with ‘transgressive infidelity’), this report about a specific variant of the DRD4 dopamine receptor biochemically links addictive behaviors with ‘sexual thrills’.

“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.

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.’” (Original Research Report)

People with the thrill-seeking gene variant were about twice as likely to report a history of one-night stands as those without the gene variant. Half of those with a love of risk imprinted in their DNA reported committing infidelity in the past, compared with 22 percent of those without the variant.

It also states fairly well why (fascinating though they are) these sorts of biochemical science bits have never had much experiential explanatory power with me:

“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.”

The interesting aspect to me (whether one is submissive, uxorious, prudish, promiscuous or anything else)  is that there are so many ways in which we are ‘predispositionally programmed’ (for lack of a better phrase) –even biochemically– to look for ‘the good things’ in life (‘feeling alive’: fire, zest) yet there are no guarantees about our path choices for getting there (meaning, significance). It’s all part of why I think of life and living life as a “game” we “play” within a “biological meaning matrix“.

~ ~ ~

When consequences overwhelm,
when futility looms ‘neath the edge
of inevitable end of all,

I remember:
We want things, make choices.
(And whether we get what we want or not,)
Life, consequences, continue, happen.
(And whether we cope well or not at all,)
Life always goes on (until it doesn’t).

We’re always who (biologically ‘what’)
we are; the experiences (and too
the symbolizations) of fate, free will,
decision, destiny, choice, desire,
love, drive, want, passion, the will to power,
ambition, transcendence, significance,
meaning, numinous, sacred and mundane –

all, each and every one, remain, persist,
and often, confusingly, coexist.