By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID

The Associated Press WASHINGTON – Gay men’s brains respond differently from those of heterosexual males when exposed to a sexual stimulus, researchers have found. The homosexual men’s brains responded more like those of women when the men sniffed a chemical from the male hormone testosterone.

“It is one more piece of evidence … that is showing that sexual orientation is not all learned,” said Sandra Witelson, an expert on brain anatomy and sexual orientation at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada.

Witelson, who was not part of the research team, said the findings clearly show a biological involvement in sexual orientation.

The study, published in Tuesday’s issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was done by researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

They exposed heterosexual men and women and homosexual men to chemicals derived from male and female sex hormones.

These chemicals are thought to be pheromones _ molecules known to trigger responses such as defense and sex in many animals.

Whether humans respond to pheromones has been debated, although in 2000 American researchers reported finding a gene that they believe directs a human pheromone receptor in the nose.

The Swedish study was one of a series looking at whether parts of the brain involved in reproduction differ in response to odors and pheromones, lead researcher Ivanka Savic said.

The brains of different groups responded similarly to ordinary odors such as lavender, but differed in their response to the chemicals thought to be pheromones, Savic said.

The Swedish researchers divided 36 subjects into three groups – heterosexual men, heterosexual women and homosexual men. They studied the brain response to sniffing the chemicals, using PET scans. All the subjects were healthy, unmedicated, right-handed and HIV negative.

When they sniffed smells like cedar or lavender, all of the subjects’ brains reacted only in the olfactory region that handles smells.

But when confronted by a chemical from testosterone, the male hormone, portions of the brains active in sexual activity were activated in straight women and in gay men, but not in straight men, the researchers found.

The response in gay men and straight women was concentrated in the hypothalamus with a maximum in the preoptic area that is active in hormonal and sensory responses necessary for sexual behavior, the researchers said.

And when estrogen, the female hormone was used, there was only a response in the olfactory portion of the brains of straight women. Homosexual men had their primary response also in the olfactory area, with a very small reaction in the hypothalamus, while heterosexual men responded strongly in the reproductive region of the brain.

Savic said the group is also doing a study involving homosexual women but those results are not yet complete.

In a separate study looking at people’s response to the body odors of others, researchers in Philadelphia found sharp differences between gay and straight men and women.

“Our findings support the contention that gender preference has a biological component that is reflected in both the production of different body odors and in the perception of and response to body odors,” said neuroscientist Charles Wysocki, who led the study.

In particular, he said, finding differences in body odors between gay and straight individuals indicates a physical difference.

It’s hard to see how a simple choice to be gay or lesbian would influence the production of body odor, he said.

Wysocki’s team at the Monell Chemical Senses Center studied the response of 82 heterosexual and homosexual men and heterosexual and homosexual women to the odors of underarm sweat collected from 24 donors of varied gender and sexual orientation.

They found that gay men differed from heterosexual men and women and from lesbian women, both in terms of which body odors gay men preferred and how their own body odors were regarded by the other groups.

Gay men preferred odors from gay men, while odors from gay men were the least preferred by heterosexual men and women and by lesbian women in the study. Their findings, released Monday, are to be published in the journal Psychological Science in September. The Swedish research was funded by the Swedish Medical Research Council, the Karolinska Institute and the Magnus Bergvall Foundation. Wysocki’s research was supported by the Monell Center.

Source: Washington Post Date: 9 May 2005

Attract Gay Men With Pherazone!

by nurse naughty

C-Rings appear to be just simple things, but they actually have many shapes, sizes and features that are worth exploring. Plus, they are an amazing way to expand a guy’s orgasmic experience.

If you are new to c-rings, you should start by trying a stretchy ring and work your way up to a more solid ring. If you’re looking to use a solid, more advanced users ring, having the right size is essential.

Wearing a ring that is too loose will limit how effective the ring will be. Wearing a ring that is too tight can cause pain or even cause priapism, which means an erection that does not go away. It may sound funny or exciting to have an everlasting erection, but this condition is painful and may require medical attention. So follow this guide to help you have the best experience possible!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What size am I?

A well-fitting c-ring should give you enough room where you can put it on or remove it at will, but be tight enough to deliver lots of sensation as you wear it.

To measure your body, use a piece of string. Loop it behind you balls and bring both ends of the string to the front where your penis meets your abdomen. Find a comfortable amount of snugness and mark the area where the two side of string meet with a marker.

Measure the string in inches (this will be your circumference) and divide it by 3.14. That number is your diameter and how c-rings are sized. Most men measure about 1-7/8” to 1-3/4”.

Quick C-Ring Sizing Chart

5.50” = 1-3/4” ring

5.89” = 1-7/8” ring

6.28” = 2” ring

How does a c-ring work?

What the c-ring will do is restrict the veins that allow blood to flow out of your penis. You will have two subtle sensations – you will feel harder and you will feel bigger. It will also take you longer to orgasm and then it will be more intense.

How do I put a c-ring on?

Put your whole package (penis and balls) through the c-ring. Put a little lubrication on the inside of the ring then start by gently pushing on ball through the ring at a time. Then carefully push your semi-erect penis through the ring. Once in place, you can go about your regular sex play.

But note: some people report that they like to wear the ring on just their shaft, and not around their whole package. So feel free to experiment and find what suits you best.

How long can I wear a c-ring?

C-rings should not be worn for extended periods of time. You should not sleep with a c-ring on. If you feel pain or numbness in your penis or testicles, remove the ring. If you are new to wearing a c-ring, we recommend starting with no more than about 15 to 20 minutes.

What if my erection won’t go down & I cannot get the ring off my body?

Don’t panic. Instead, try to relax, slow down your heart rate and circulatory system – including the rate of blood flow to your penis.

Also take a cold shower or bath to help your penis become more flaccid.

If the ring is anything other than metal you can carefully put the tip of scissors and nip the edge, sacrificing the ring.

nurse naughty recommended:

100% Medical Grade Silicone  Cock Rings by Tantus Inc.

More Healthy Cock Rings by Sparticus HERE

Eco-Friendly Cock Rings

If you and your partner are in search of the perfect destination for your commitment ceremony and honeymoon, exotic surroundings that will allow the two of you to relax and spend time together away from the stresses of everyday life, or even if you are simply looking for the perfect spot for an extended tryst with a new beau, the options for a gay romantic vacation are essentially limitless. With the ancient architecture of Greece and the pristine beaches of Hawaii standing out as just two of the many options available for gay romantic getaways, you are only limited by the type of vacation you prefer.

Whether you are seeking fun in the sun, a trip filled with mountaintop adventures, or a spiritual, intimate journey for just the two of you, the ideal vacation that will perfectly meet your needs is just waiting to be had. Ask each other what you want to do and do it!

A gay couple looking for a relaxing vacation on the beach can choose from several options around the world, including Spain, South Africa, Bali, Greece, Egypt, Brazil, Morocco or Hawaii. Gay romantic vacations to beach locations that also offer historical and cultural attractions are particularly appealing.

A suggest could be visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza and the ancient ruins of Egypt, shopping for souvenirs in the Khan al Khalili Bazaar and seeing the treasures of King Tut on display at the Egyptian Museum allows couples to share an array of experiences, while also providing plenty of time for lounging on one of Egypt’s beautiful beaches.

When couples choose destinations like Hawaii or Bali for their gay romance getaways, they have the chance to hike to the top of volcanoes, visit ancient temples, shop for handmade crafts made by area artisans and indulge in exquisite local cuisine when they are not strolling on the beach under the moonlight or spending a relaxing day sunbathing. When couples have the opportunity to make lifelong memories exploring cultural and historical sites together, while also having plenty of time for hitting the beach, gay romantic travel can be even more meaningful and fulfilling.

For a gay couple interested in another type of excursion, there are many options to choose from, such as wine tasting or sightseeing in France, skiing or snowboarding in Germany or New Zealand, shopping or taking in theater productions in England, taking part in a tour of Ecuador, Turkey or China, or taking a spiritual journey through Bhutan, India or Burma.

Every couple has a different idea regarding their perfect gay romance getaway; however, with the plethora of gay romantic destinations from which to choose, as well as a variety of tours and couples’ retreats that focus on intimacy and connection, any gay couple seeking an exhilarating, fulfilling romantic trip is sure to find a perfect option that will allow them to thoroughly enjoy their time together.

Commentary originated by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys arranges gay weekend breaks and has gay tantra retreats.

Article Source: ArticleSnatch Free Article Directory