The Great Mysteries of Sex with Mary Roach
Science Vs Podcast Recap
Published:
Guests: Mary Roach
What Happened
Mary Roach, author of 'Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex', discusses the often-overlooked scientific study of sex. Inspired by Masters and Johnson's pioneering work, including their use of a penis camera to film inside the body during intercourse, Roach highlights the historical absence of sex from physiology textbooks until well into the 20th century.
Roach recounts how Robert Latou Dickinson influenced Alfred Kinsey's shift from gall wasps to sex research. Kinsey's studies, which included filming male prostitutes, debunked myths about ejaculation by showing semen mostly 'glops' rather than shoots out, challenging misconceptions held for decades.
In her research, Roach visited the Danish National Committee for Pork Production, where she observed that stimulating sows could increase fertility by 6%. The process mimics the actions of a boar, demonstrating how animal husbandry can offer insights into human sexual behavior.
The episode delves into the controversial 'up suck' theory, historically believed to aid conception by drawing semen into the uterus. Masters and Johnson, using artificial semen and X-rays, disproved this theory, while recent studies suggested orgasm might still enhance sperm retention by as much as 15%.
Roach shares her own experiences participating in sex research, including using a vaginal photoplethysmograph to measure arousal and partaking in an ultrasound study of sexual intercourse. These studies often blur the line between physiological and psychological arousal, revealing that physiological responses can occur subconsciously.
Cindy Meston's research at the University of Texas Austin reveals that women have a broader range of stimuli that trigger arousal compared to men. This finding contrasts with previous beliefs and highlights the complexity of female sexual response. Additionally, unusual triggers for orgasm, such as brushing teeth or cycling, emphasize individual variability in sexual experiences.
The episode touches on the taboo surrounding discussion of anal cancer, as exemplified by the misreporting of Farrah Fawcett's death. Roach notes that societal discomfort with discussing certain aspects of sex can hinder research and awareness, as seen in the ridicule faced by researchers like Roy Levin.
Finally, Roach cites Masters and Johnson's findings that gay and lesbian couples often experience more fulfilling sexual relationships due to gender empathy. This challenges conventional views and underscores the importance of communication and understanding in sexual satisfaction.
Key Insights
- Masters and Johnson developed a penis camera to visually document the internal mechanics of sex, a groundbreaking step in the scientific study of human sexuality. Their work was pivotal in removing the secrecy surrounding sex research.
- Alfred Kinsey's shift from studying gall wasps to human sexual behavior was influenced by Robert Latou Dickinson. Kinsey's methodical approach, including filming male prostitutes to study ejaculation, helped dispel longstanding myths about sexual functions.
- The Danish National Committee for Pork Production found that stimulating sows akin to a boar's behavior increases fertility by 6%. This agricultural insight shows potential parallels in human sexual behavior regarding fertility and arousal.
- Research by Cindy Meston highlights that women exhibit a broader range of arousal stimuli compared to men, who often have more specific triggers. This finding emphasizes the nuanced nature of female sexual arousal and challenges previous assumptions.