subject: Is It For Better Or For Worse? [print this page] Women base their sexual interest in men on men's natural scent. Each human's unique scent is an external expression of their immune system's genes, known as MHC. In one study t-shirts worn by men 2 days in a row were put in identical boxes. Then women were asked which men were the sexiest based on the smell of the t-shirts. The women were most attracted to men with an MHC most different from their own. This is nature's way of helping women produce healthier offspring. A woman's sense of smell peaks when she's ovulating - which makes "scents".
Who ended the previous relationship is important to both men and women. In a study published in Evolutionary Psychology, 102 women and 96 men - average age 19 - were shown profiles on a fake online dating site. Amongst a lot of trivial information, each profile contained the statement "My last relationship ended because..." and each profile had 1 of 3 answers: the person was dumped, was the dumper or didn't respond. Women found men more attractive if they'd been the dumper, but men found women more attractive if they'd been dumped. Of course, those with no previous relationship were "down in the dumps".
Many relationships end because of money. Money causes more problems in American relationships than sex does. According to a CESI Debt Solutions national survey of more than 200 people, 80% of spouses make secret purchases and 18.5% have secret credit cards. Thirty-four percent of the secret purchases are clothes or accessories and 24% are food or dining. Forty-three percent of the respondents used secrecy to avoid arguments and 38% worried their financial unfaithfulness could result in a separation or divorce. Then there's the 24% who said they'd never tell their spouses about their spending habits - making the "for worse" part of the marriage vow worse.
But who knew instrumental music could be as enjoyable as sex. In a study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, 8 volunteers were given PET scans that showed their brains released more dopamine - the same feel good chemical released during sex - when they were listening to their favorite music instead of music in general. MRI's showed dopamine surged 15 seconds before a special highlight in the music and again when the highlight occurred. The music chosen by the volunteers ranged from classical to bagpipes. Maybe spouses having problems with sex could benefit from "facing the music".
