Scientists research sex chip to stimulate pleasure in the brain

Would you implant a chip into your head to augment your sex drive? That's exactly what scientists are currently looking into: a device that sends tiny shocks to the part of your brain that is said to control the feelings of pleasure you get from both sex and eating. The neural stimulation is said to provoke physical stimulation, and according to Oxford Neurosurgery professor Tipu Aziz, such a device was successfully tried a few years ago, but removed when the subject complained about her constantly supercharged sex drive. He predicts future versions of the technology will let you turn the chip on and off when needed. Sure, sure -- but can you overclock it?

[Via Tech Digest, Switched]

[lpppppl @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:22PM]

Sex addiction on a whole new level

[Josh @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:41PM]

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*

[Cris @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:46PM]

"...Not today honey... the battery is running low..."

[eyEi @ Dec 23rd 2008 8:18PM]

You know what is as good as Sex?

.....no it is not chocolate...


The iPhone!

[slycooper_rocker [anti-panda death murder squadron force five] @ Dec 23rd 2008 11:01PM]

@ eyEi

you don't get out of the basement very often do you?

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Dec 24th 2008 2:36PM]

Bring on the three seashells.

[BigD145 @ Dec 24th 2008 1:34AM]

Give a guy breast implant and you'll get the same results: He will never leave the house.

[E71 @ Dec 24th 2008 9:54PM]

We're not going to lose track of the planet's garbage problem are we?

[loosely_coupled @ Dec 25th 2008 12:04AM]

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..

[eggothewaffle @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:23PM]

What the hell does someone named Tipu Aziz know about sex?

(I keed, I keed)

[melloncollie @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:25PM]

As much as someone whose handle name is eggothewaffle.

(I keed, I keed)

[eggothewaffle @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:26PM]

Touché :(

[dandaman @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:35PM]

i don't think eggothewaffle would know much about sex
but i do think eggothewaffle would know a lot about eating

[Bob S @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:42PM]

Aziz! Light!

[mike @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:55PM]

@ Bob S

Thank you for the Fifth Element reference. And for clearly beating me to the punch.

[slycooper_rocker [anti-panda death murder squadron force five] @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:23PM]

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.

[Ricky @ Dec 23rd 2008 6:42PM]

Sir, I could not disagree with your first statement more.

[JMacGill @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:26PM]

Hasn't anyone involved read "Terminal Man"?

[Andir3.0 @ Dec 23rd 2008 7:55PM]

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.

[Dan @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:25PM]

There is absolutely no downside to this product.

[KAIKAI @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:40PM]

what about std risks ??

[wickedpheonix @ Dec 23rd 2008 7:45PM]

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....

;)

[thedesolate1 @ Dec 23rd 2008 10:46PM]

I for one welcome our fembot overlords.

[D @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:25PM]

"but removed when the subject complained about her constantly supercharged sex drive"
at least she had the chip....

[D.S = digtal shit @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:37PM]

Where dose she live?

[Mothman @ Dec 23rd 2008 6:06PM]

Amazing!!

[brandon @ Dec 23rd 2008 9:00PM]

Giggity!!!

[whatishalo? @ Dec 23rd 2008 10:56PM]

I think the battery is dead on my wife's :(

[razorman7 @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:25PM]

"complained about her constantly supercharged sex drive"

What?

[Jon Nelson @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:31PM]

Betcha her husband wasn't complaining one bit.

[kjb434 @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:34PM]

Until he went out of town and she started bangin' every guy in the neighborhood.

[Jonathan-DBOSS @ Dec 23rd 2008 6:01PM]

@ razorman7

That's what she said.

[Jonathan-DBOSS @ Dec 23rd 2008 6:04PM]

@razorman7

that's what she said...

[IndiaTech @ Dec 23rd 2008 6:11PM]

A "That's what she said" joke on a sex related post. How intuitive.

[Arkenklo @ Dec 24th 2008 3:52PM]

@Jonathan: That's so pale I thought a piece of Engadget had fell out.

[x3qt0r @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:26PM]

the sex chip is already there.. it needs a potential difference to get it working.
and thats provided by p0rn..

[broli @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:26PM]

Can't wait for the hacks for that chip.

[The WC @ Dec 23rd 2008 6:54PM]

Hacking could take bondage to a whole new level...

But hijacking brains? I smell criminal offense.

[Trial @ Dec 24th 2008 8:29PM]

Criminal offense? Kinky.

[testdaflow @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:28PM]

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!

[Imran @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:28PM]

Hm, jailbreak your wife...

[TomServo @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:31PM]

Where do you think I got her from?

[Imran @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:38PM]

I wouldn't like to guess...

[Luke @ Dec 23rd 2008 9:26PM]

Best ever.

[Galley @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:30PM]

It's 2008; shouldn't we all have Orgasmatrons in our homes by now?

[kjb434 @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:35PM]

Good movie reference! Most people don't catch that little know Parker and Stone movie.

[StinkyPete @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:50PM]

You don't?!

[Samurai Jack @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:53PM]

Parker and Stone? Try Woody Allen. There are some things that predate the 21st century you know.

[bangladeshiluv @ Dec 23rd 2008 6:30PM]

haha. i love south park.

[bgrap500 @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:30PM]

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."