Produced  by  Cinelive  Ltd  ‘What’s  the  Grey  Matter  with  Gregory?’  

www.cinelive.org.uk    

Love  in  a  Time  of  Chemistry    

Key  concept   Humans  have  a  dominant  hormone  or  neurotransmitter  in  their  neural  system  that  will  mean  you  fall  into  a  ‘category’  of   person   (Explorer,   Builder,   Director,   Negotiator)   and  match  certain  categories  of  person  more  than  others.  

 

Details      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key  Group  Discussion  Questions  

• Which  category  do  you  fit  into?  Family  and  friends?  

• Do  their  characters  and  partners  seem  to  match  the  rules  above?  

• What  problems  can  you  find  with  this  theory?  

• How  would  you  adapt/improve  the  theory?      

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

DOPAMINE  

The  NEUROTRANSMITTER  that  communicates  excitement  to  the  brain  when  we  display  certain  behaviours  

If  Dopamine  is  dominant  neural  system,  you  may  show  some  of  these  characteristics…  

• enjoy  new  things;  • adventurous;  • intellectually  curious,  mentally  flexible  and  creative.  

The  term  used  to  describe  you  is…  

EXPLORERS  

• Most  often  choose  other  EXPLORERS  • Least  often  choose  DIRECTORS    

SEROTONIN  

The  neurotransmitter  responsible  for  providing  a  sense  of  well-‐being  and  lack  of  anxiety  to  the  brain  

If  Serotonin  is  the  dominant  neural  system,  you  may  show  some  of  these  characteristics…  

• more  loyal  and  hard  working;  • more  socially  aware  and  motivated;  • have  a  strong  sense  of  responsibility;  

The  term  used  to  describe  you  is  …  

BUILDERS  

• Most  often  choose  other  BUILDERS  • Least  often  choose  NEGOTIATORS

TESTOSTERONE  

The  male  (androgen)  sex  hormone  that  regulates  changes  in  the  body  during  puberty  

If  Testosterone  is  the  dominant  neural  system,  you  may  show  some  of  these  characteristics…  

• an  acute  attention  to  detail;  • less  socially  aware;  • often  more  self-‐confident  and  assertive.  

The  term  used  to  describe  you  is…    

DIRECTORS  

• Most  often  choose  NEGOTIATORS  • Least  often  choose  BUILDERS  

OESTROGEN  

The  female  sex  hormone  that  regulates  changes  in  the  body  during  puberty    

If  Oestrogen  is  the  dominant  neural  system,  you  may  show  some  of  these  characteristics…  

• display  abilities  to  think  longer  term;  • greater  language  skills  and  intuition;  • read  others’  emotional  responses  better.  

The  term  used  to  describe  you  is…    

NEGOTIATORS  

• Most  often  choose  DIRECTORS  • Least  often  choose  EXPLORERS  and  BUILDERS  

Glossary  

procreation  –  the  process  of  sexual  intercourse  that  leads  to  reproduction  

insulin  –  the  hormone  produced  in  the  pancreas  which  is  critical  to  help  us  break  down  sugar  to  create  energy  

neural  system  –  the  different  systems  we  have  operating  in  the  brain  including  sensory  (hearing,  sight  etc.),  motor  (governing  movement)  and  endocrine  (governing  hormones).  

  Produced  by  Cinelive  Ltd  ‘What’s  the  Grey  Matter  with  Gregory?’  

www.cinelive.org.uk    

Beginnings  and  Beyond    

Key  concept   Our  body  emits  certain  neurotransmitters  and  hormones  at  different  stages  of  our  relationship  to  encourage  us  to  procreate  and  then  protect  the  child  until  it  reaches  maturity.    

   

INITIAL  LOVE  VS  MATURE  LOVE  

 

 

 

 

Key  Group  Discussion  Questions  

• What  are  the  effects  of  each  of  the  three  key  hormones  and  neurotransmitters    here?  

• Do  those  sensations  mirror  feelings  of  being  ‘in  love’  or  attracted  to  someone?  

• Have  you  observed  examples  in  your  life  or  today  that  back  up  this  theory?  

• What  problems  can  you  find  with  this  theory?  

• How  could  you  adapt/improve  the  theory?  

 

 

 

INITIAL  LOVE  

Life  –  be   it   animal  or  plant  –  must  constantly  seek  to  procreate  or   fertilise   in  order   to  perpetuate   life.  Without  this  drive,  life  ceases  to  exist.  

Dopamine   is   a   neurotransmitter   that   is   part   of   the  body’s  pleasure  and  reward  system  –  do  something  that  encourages  the  survival  of  the  species  (e.g.  eat  when   you’re   hungry   or   procreate   with   a   partner)  and  you  receive  a  hit  of  dopamine  as  a  reward.    

ØWhen   we   meet   someone   to   whom   we   are  attracted,  the  body  releases  dopamine.  

ØFurther   dopamine   comes  with   further   contact  and  we  repeatedly    seek  out  that  feeling.  

Ø In   the   context   of   relationships,   dopamine   is  most   commonly   delivered   during   ‘the   chase’  which   is   what   provides   that   feeling   of  excitement  and  fun.  

Ø It   has   an   addictive   quality   (the   sensation   is  similar  to  the  effect  of  cocaine).  

 

MATURE  LOVE  

Is  lust  a  mechanism  to  bring  us  together  so  we  can  enjoy  something  more  significant  later  on?  

Oxytocin   is   a   hormone   that   is   released   when   we  touch  another  person  (sexually  or  non-‐sexually)  and  is  believed  to  create  a  deep  bond  or  connection  

ØWhen  we  hug   someone   it   can   give   that   sense  of  well-‐being  thanks  to  the  release  of  oxytocin.  

ØDuring  sex,  when  we  orgasm  there  is  a  release  of  oxytocin   in   the  body,  particularly   in  women  but  also  in  men.  

ØAs   the   relationship   develops,   male   oxytocin  levels  catch  up  with  female  levels.  

Serotonin   is   the   final  neurotransmitter  and  delivers  a   feeling   of   well-‐being,   contentment   and   trust  within  a  relationship.  

ØDopamine  has  dropped  off  after  3-‐4  years   in  a  relationship   but   serotonin   and   oxytocin   levels  have  increased.  

ØMany   divorces   take   place   after   this   first   3-‐4  years  as  the  ‘excitement’  wears  off.    

A  synapse  linking  two  brain  cells  with  the  help  of  neurotransmitters  

  Produced  by  Cinelive  Ltd  ‘What’s  the  Grey  Matter  with  Gregory?’  

www.cinelive.org.uk    

An  Influx  of  Testosterone  

 Key  concept   If   a   body   produces   increased   levels   of   testosterone,   then   the   individual  will   experience  

higher  energy  levels,  a  greater  sexual  appetite  and  improved  concentration.  

 

Details   Frederick  Banting  successfully  operated  on  a  pancreas  to  stop  it  from  producing  digestive  enzymes   and   instead   only   produce   insulin   which   would   treat   diabetics   who   could   not  break   sugar   into   glucose   to   provide   energy.   This   procedure   was   a   success   and   earned  Banting  and  his  collaborator  John  James  Rickard  Macleod  of  Scotland  a  Nobel  Prize.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It   follows   logically  that   if  a  human  can  be  cured  of  an  ailment  through  a  treatment  that  rebalances   their  hormone   levels,   if   someone   received  a  huge  boost  of   a  hormone,   that  would  lead  to  an  increase  in  related  behaviours.    

Therefore,   if   we   experience   an   increased   level   of   testosterone,   as   it   is   the   hormone  believed   to  be  primarily   responsible   for   sex  drive,  we  will   experience  an   increase   in  our  sexual  appetites  and  energy.  

Professor   Eugen   Steinach,   an   Austrian,   developed   the   ”Steinach   Operation”   which  consisted  of  a  partial  vasectomy  that  he  believed  would  encourage  the  testes  to  produce  more  testosterone   instead  of  sperm  and   increase  the  overall  amount  of   testosterone   in  the  body.  

 

Key  Group  Discussion  Questions  

• Is  testosterone  the  main  factor  in  the  human  sex  drive?    

• What  else  is  it  responsible  for?  

• Have  you  heard  of  any  other  examples  of  humans  taking  hormones?    

• What  effects  (in  addition  to  the  alleged  increase  in  sex  drive)  would  this  have?  

• What  observations  have  you  made  that  could  show  this  theory  to  be  true?  

• What  problems  can  you  find  with  this  theory?  

 

 

 

 

The  ceremony  unveiling  the  Nobel  Laureates.  

Nobel  Prizes  are  awarded  in  many  

categories  including  Biology  

Glossary  

procreation  –  the  process  of  sexual  intercourse  that  leads  to  reproduction  

insulin  –  the  hormone  produced  in  the  pancreas  which  is  critical  to  help  us  break  down  sugar  to  create  energy  

 

  Produced  by  Cinelive  Ltd  ‘What’s  the  Grey  Matter  with  Gregory?’  

www.cinelive.org.uk    

Rats  and  the  role  of  Oestrogen    

Key  concept  

In   rats,   experiments   have   been   carried   out   that   show  female   rats   to   have   heightened   sexual   appetites   just  before  they  ovulate.  This  is  the  same  for  women.  

 

Details  

In   the  period   leading  up  to  ovulation,   rats  have  been  shown  to  produce  greater   levels  of  oestrogen  from   the   ovaries   and   this   coincides  with   an   increase   in   sexual   displays   –   typically   presenting   their  behinds  to  the  males  and  raising  their  tales.    

Therefore,   as   female   rats   approach   ovulation,   they  display  greater  sexual  appetites.  This  encourages  them  to   mate   with   a   male   counterpart   and   stand   the   best  chance   of   fertilisation   so   that   the   species   might  continue.    

This   translates   perfectly   to   humans.   Women   tend   to  show   an   increased   sexual   appetite   in   the   time   leading  up   to   ovulation   which   coincides   perfectly   with   the  increased   levels  of  oestrogen   in  the  blood.  The  ovaries  are   communicating   with   the   brain   through   oestrogen  and   encouraging   sexual   activity   to   take   place   at   that  stage.  

 

Key  Group  Discussion  Questions  

• Allegedly  oestrogen  spikes  just  as  female  rats  ovulate.  Is  this  the  same  of  women?  

• Does  the  behaviour  of  the  female  rats  represent  increased  sexual  appetite?  

• Why  do  animals  respond  so  strictly  to  hormonal  signals?  

• Can  we  rely  on  humans  to  respond  in  the  same  way?    

• What  problems  can  you  find  with  this  theory?  

• How  could  you  adapt/improve  the  theory?  

Glossary  

oestrogen  –  a  hormone  or  group  of  hormones  that  develop  female  characteristics  in  the  body  

ovulation  –  the  moment  when  the  ovaries  release  an  egg  to  the  fallopian  tube  ready  for  fertilisation  

estrous  cycle  –  the  cycle  in  which  an  egg  is  prepared  for  release  from  the  ovary,  released,  travels  down  the  fallopian  tube  to  be  fertilised  or  breaks  down.  

follicular  phase  –  the  stage  during  the  estrous  cycle  when  the  follicles  in  the  ovaries  are  preparing  to  release  an  egg  

luteal  phase  –  the  stage  after  ovulation  when  the  egg  travels  down  the  fallopian  tubes  and  the  lining  of  the  uterus  grows  thicker  preparing  for  pregnancy