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Asexuality Is Finally Breaking Free from Medical Stigma (www.scientificamerican.com)

submitted 5 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/science@lemmy.world

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New research on asexuality shows why it’s so important for doctors and therapists to distinguish between episodes of low libido and a consistent lack of sexual attraction

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Over the past two decades psychological studies have shown that asexuality should be classified not as a disorder but as a stable sexual orientation akin to homosexuality or heterosexuality. Both cultural awareness and clinical medicine have been slow to catch on. It's only recently that academic researchers have begun to look at asexuality not as an indicator of health problems but as a legitimate, underexplored way of being human.

In biology, the word “asexual” typically gets used in reference to species that reproduce without sex, such as bacteria and aphids. But in some species that do require mating to have offspring, such as sheep and rodents, scientists have observed individuals that don't appear driven to engage in the act.

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[-] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 0 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

It's probably just an issue with oxytocin.

It does a lot of stuff, but what's important here is it's about social bonding. When it's not functioning correctly, you just never get lonely, you don't have the negatives from lack of social relationships including romantic.

Also, it's what make orgasms feel amazing. So without it, your getting rid of the two main positives for sexual relationships.

You might still enjoy the act of sex, you just don't get the huge addicting high at the end of it.

So it's at most a "sure, why not" thing compared to everyone else. And for some people, it's just not worth the hassle to varying degrees.

We also haven't identified any genetic markers, but there's likely some out there. And there's environmental issues when young that can effect it your whole life.

So we barely understand the "nurture" component and no idea about the "nature" side of things.

Edit:

Rather than keep responding to the same comments, please just scroll down for more information before replying.

[-] novamdomum@kbin.social 20 points 5 months ago

Hey there chief, got any sources for your comment? Like any kind of peer reviewed references to the links between oxytocin and loneliness, romantic relationships and orgasm? Would be interesting to read.

[-] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 23 points 5 months ago

You'd be better off with general academic articles or even just the Wikipedia for it if you don't know anything about oxytocin yet

But here you go:

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-48708-003

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22281209/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3183515/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8009111/

Unless you have a background in medicine/psychology it'll probably be over your head. But if your familiar with any type of research you can probably manage.

I'd start with something this tho

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxytocin

[-] novamdomum@kbin.social 14 points 5 months ago

Thanks, that was actually really interesting and I learnt stuff I didn't know beforehand. The thing is your comment seemed to trigger quite a few people (me included) because it seemed insensitive. Thankfully you later commented that "For some people (like all the ones in the article) they want it fixed. Others are perfectly happy the way they are, and both are fine and none of anyone else’s business" so you obviously get it. It's funny how easy it is for people to misunderstand each other in forums like this. This has been a learning experience for me.

[-] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 14 points 5 months ago

No worries.

Came here from /all like most people probably did. I was used to /science on Reddit where most people have a scientific background.

So my comment assumed familiarity with all the basic stuff. And yeah, science wise you have to be a little insensitive talking about this stuff, but most of the time it's described as "clinical" instead.

Which has not worked out well from all the replies I got lol.

I just didn't know the tone of this community