THURRRRST …
The thirst is real! It’s cold, it’s dark and January was exactly 100 days long. Now it’s February and society is about to throw your single status in your face to generate the highest levels of Q1 consumerism. Don’t succumb to the pressures. Don’t let society tell you that you need to be coupled to make it through this month. You got this, girl! Hang in there!
The SP1NSTER™ is not at all suggesting that you run in the opposite direction of love. Listen, we all deserve and desire an enriching, fulfilling, can’t live without you, passion fueled, giggly, supportive love. What we are recommending is that you not hurl yourself into familiar pain, familiar chaos, or familiar fun that you’ve been able to untangle yourself from in order to fill the void.
I’ve done it. I am totally guilty of backsliding into the dustbin of ex-lovers because I haven’t seen the sun after 4pm in 60 days and I am bored and a seasonal emotional wreck. Guilty! I will totally admit it. I doubt that I am alone. The thrill of receiving a flirtatious notification can boost your mood. Do you send a cheeky reply? The way you react to these daring messages largely depends on the sender and your relationship with them. But ever wonder what's happening in your brain when you receive those racy pics?
“In 2023, around 77% of TEXTERS HAVE SENT, whilst 88% HAVE received a RISKY TEXT.”
When you receive a nude, your brain kicks into action. Visual processing comes into play, and the image is sent to the brain's primary visual cortex as electrical signals. Interestingly, science has found that nudity has a real impact on the speed of this process, adding a dash of spice to your neural activities.
If the risqué photo comes from your boo, a longtime crush, or someone you’ve just met, get ready for a surge of feel-good chemicals that leave you tirsty for more. On the flip side, if the pic is more awkward than arousing, it might put a damper on your mood. So, next time you're contemplating sending that thirst trap, remember: the brain reacts, and it reacts big.
Research found 80% of the men and almost 50% women reported receiving a “dick pic.” Among those who had ever received such a photo, 90% had received one without asking for it. “This includes 90.7% of women — 90.7% of heterosexual, 91.3% of lesbian, and 90.8% of bisexual women — and 87.1% of men — 88.1% of gay men and 82.1% of bisexual men,” the authors of the study wrote.
Some men have malicious motives, according to previous research, heterosexual men primarily send unsolicited images of their genitals to women in the hopes of receiving either similar images or sexual interactions in return. Women of all sexual identities reported predominantly negative reactions. Researchers also found that 50% of women who received unsolicited genital images reported feeling “grossed out” and 46% felt “disrespected.” Only 26% of women reported having a positive reaction.
The study found just 7.5% of heterosexual women and 12% of bisexual women reported feeling aroused by at least one unsolicited dick pic they received. While the majority of women did not report feeling aroused, it’s important to not overlook the variation in responses and the variation of the images received.
Sending or receiving risky texts and nudes may seem innocent and cheeky, but it's essential to consider that texts last forever. The brain reacts differently based on factors like gender, frequency of receiving such images, hormonal birth control use, and, of course, whether you actually wanted the photo. A seemingly innocent thirst trap can trigger powerful reactions in the brain, so send those sexy text with caution. AND - be sure you’re not sending the sext to the wrong chat. Another story for another day, friends.
Sending risky/thirsty texts and nudes is a game that comes with both wins and losses, babes. You may get the immediate response you desire but will that gratification last? Ask yourself and know that the answer might be a big fat “NO!” Understanding the science behind the brain's reactions adds a layer of intrigue to the digital dance of thirst vs. romance. Always remember that once it’s out there, it’s out there forever! Whether you're navigating the neural pathways of a sext or crafting your online persona, remember: a little restraint goes a long way.