Marnia Robinson penned “Cupid’s Poisoned Arrow” a decade back, exploring the biological reasons behind male behavior during chastity. She highlights three key neurotransmitters—dopamine, prolactin, and oxytocin—that govern how men act around orgasm. Dopamine fuels that ecstatic high at the moment of climax; prolactin is released by the body following the event to regulate (and often override) dopamine, triggering the post-climax slump we feel; while oxytocin drives our desire for closeness or “pair bonding.” According to her, avoiding ejaculation keeps dopamine levels steady enough to foster a sense of well-being when caring for one’s partner, treating them with respect and affection. Additionally, she notes that prolactin can create a two-week window where men care less about their current partners and feel biologically compelled to seek out other women as potential mates. To summarize briefly—and it is an oversimplification.
Has anyone here read the book? What do you think? She proposes Karezza—sexual intimacy without ejaculation—as a method to offset this dip in devotion. How does that sound?
Enforced chastity seems like a solid way to avoid that slump, maintaining high dopamine and consistent positive behavior. Robinson’s work offers a scientific backing for why we act the way we do while locked up.
Any thoughts? Jamie