Curvy Women Activate Brain Like Recreational Drugs

Men are hardwired to get turned on by sexy curvy-looking bodies. The sight of a nice ass, shapely legs, or round, firm breasts activates the nucleus accumbens in the brain, which is the same center that reacts to many recreational drugs.

Scientists from Georgia Gwinnett College, led by Steven Platek, found differences in the activity of this brain center after men observed “before-and-after” photos of women who had plastic surgery to make them look more curvy. This study explains why so many men like to watch porno films— it stimulates the brain just like drugs. (Communicative & Integrative Biology, 3: 282-283, 2010)