Scientists research sex chip to stimulate pleasure in the brain
By Ross Miller 
posted Dec 23rd 2008 5:17PM
posted Dec 23rd 2008 5:17PM
[Via Tech Digest, Switched]
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Sex addiction on a whole new level
Surely this is only relevant to food-fetishists.
What'd be the point of being mid copulation, only for this device to kick in..
"Sorry love, i fancy a sandwich"
*leaves*
"...Not today honey... the battery is running low..."
You know what is as good as Sex?
.....no it is not chocolate...
The iPhone!
@ eyEi
you don't get out of the basement very often do you?
Bring on the three seashells.
Give a guy breast implant and you'll get the same results: He will never leave the house.
We're not going to lose track of the planet's garbage problem are we?
I hate how misinformed the Engadget writers are.. For god sakes guys, it takes all of five minutes to look something up on wikipedia.
This is NOT a "sex chip", nor was this technology created for said purpose. They simply re-purposed existing deep brain stimulation (DBS) technology which is currently being used experimentally to treat Parkinsons, Epilepsy, major depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder among other conditions. Even in this case, they were not attempting to enhance a healthy person's sex drive --- they were trying to correct a "disorder" of sorts whereby the patient doesn't experience normal sexual pleasure.
Anyways, I'm incredibly surprised to hear of this. The article didn't provide in depth details, but it sounds like they have the electrodes somewhere in the patient's orbitofrontal cortex. Since learning about DBS, I've always wondered what exactly would happen if you implanted the electrodes so as to directly stimulate dopamine neurons in the nucleus accumbens, which is the "pleasure center" of the brain. Most addictive drugs, in addition to sexual activity and even eating mediate a release of dopamine in that region of the brain.
Although DBS is currently a very crude experimental technology, the swift pace of scientific progress will no doubt lead to a future in which tiny electronic devices are able to mediate your mood, emotions, and state of consciousness. It is interesting to ponder how such technology would be regulated. Would everyone have brain implants that are able to mimic the actions of different drugs? Would such an "electronic high" that is able to create perpetual feelings of euphoria, well-being, contentment, and perhaps even empathy and compassion without the side effects or problems associated with conventional drugs lead to a peaceful and harmonious world without so much greed and selfishness? Or would it act as an impediment to societal progress from everyone being content with their situation. Certainly the desire for success and material wealth, recognition, etc drives much of the world's progress today.
Perhaps the device would only be activated on occasion, essentially acting as a high-tech replacement for alcohol, marijuana, or whatever else at weekend parties. Perhaps future employers would have detection technology to make sure you are not using the device during work hours.... Oh man this stuff brings up a lot of interesting questions..
What the hell does someone named Tipu Aziz know about sex?
(I keed, I keed)
As much as someone whose handle name is eggothewaffle.
(I keed, I keed)
Touché :(
i don't think eggothewaffle would know much about sex
but i do think eggothewaffle would know a lot about eating
Aziz! Light!
@ Bob S
Thank you for the Fifth Element reference. And for clearly beating me to the punch.
are we sure we need hornier people? most people are already horny as it is. i guess it would be good for clinically depressed people. but that's it.
Sir, I could not disagree with your first statement more.
Hasn't anyone involved read "Terminal Man"?
Also agree. There's TOO much focus on sex today. You'd think we were in some kind of population contest with China... the problem is that nobody can afford the kids.
"but removed when the subject complained about her constantly supercharged sex drive"
at least she had the chip....
Where dose she live?
Amazing!!
Giggity!!!
I think the battery is dead on my wife's :(
"complained about her constantly supercharged sex drive"
What?
Betcha her husband wasn't complaining one bit.
Until he went out of town and she started bangin' every guy in the neighborhood.
@ razorman7
That's what she said.
@razorman7
that's what she said...
A "That's what she said" joke on a sex related post. How intuitive.
@Jonathan: That's so pale I thought a piece of Engadget had fell out.
There is absolutely no downside to this product.
what about std risks ??
There is a way to make it better though.... put it into gun-form so that I can shoot a chip into anyone's brain and make anyone's sex drives go up the wazoo!
Unfortunately the courts would rule it as a form of rape, but until they do....
;)
I for one welcome our fembot overlords.
the sex chip is already there.. it needs a potential difference to get it working.
and thats provided by p0rn..
Can't wait for the hacks for that chip.
Hacking could take bondage to a whole new level...
But hijacking brains? I smell criminal offense.
Criminal offense? Kinky.
World population as of Nov 2008: 6.7 Billion
Population after release: 60 Billion! Better hurry up with the space station and Mars expedition as we need all the space to stash people in!
Hm, jailbreak your wife...
Where do you think I got her from?
I wouldn't like to guess...
Best ever.
It's 2008; shouldn't we all have Orgasmatrons in our homes by now?
Good movie reference! Most people don't catch that little know Parker and Stone movie.
You don't?!
Parker and Stone? Try Woody Allen. There are some things that predate the 21st century you know.
haha. i love south park.
Coming Out in 2015 :
Billy: "Dad, I Think I'm gay."
Crazy Parent: "That's ok son, they have a chip for that now, soon you'll just LOVE the ladies."