5 replies to this topic

[Wingless]

The simple answer here could be that depression is causing both a lowered response to music, and a diminished sex drive. However, arousal levels from music and sex almost always seem to go hand in hand, I can't say I've noticed a strong correlation between them and general depressive symptoms.

 

I've also noticed a curious effect from a few substances that increase both music appreciation and libido simultaneously. Piracetam, for instance, has caused a noticeable increase in libido and emotional response to music, the same goes for Phenibut, and occasionally coffee/marijuana/alcohol (though not nearly as consistently).

 

I can't really make sense of it. I don't see why these two conditions should go together. I don't want this all to be linked to depression because it doesn't actually help me understand it any further. I suppose what I'm really trying to pinpoint is what neurotransmitters/hormones could be responsible for arousal from both sex and music.

Edited by Wingless, 22 August 2015 - 03:01 PM.

[CQW]

You were almost at the answer, you mentioned it in your post tag "dopamine".

 

"Humans and animals take actions quickly when they expect that the actions lead to reward, reflecting their motivation. Injection of dopamine receptor antagonists into the striatum has been shown to slow such reward-seeking behavior, suggesting that dopamine is involved in the control of motivational processes"

 

Essentially, you're more likely to pursue pleasurable activities under the influence of higher concentrations of dopamine, which further elicit the release of more dopamine. It's what makes dopaminergic drugs addictive. You eventually lose interest as neurons either desensitize to the dopamine, or neurons run out of dopamine reserves.

[StotheG]

I've struggled with depression for much of my life. Literally, I have to be listening to music to actually get some  work done. Music is processed across the brain, not merely in a single region or center. That, plus the emotional stimulation of music, provides a catalyst for a brain that's actually slowed down in other ways. 

 

For whatever neurochemical element you want to look at, I think that we can see depression as a form of decreased brain activity. Activities that call on multiple parts or the brain to become activated inherently counteract this tendency. 

 

What's odd about this, at least for me, is that often enough the music I prefer is actually 'sad' music. It still does help me. I suppose this is secondary to the question, but I'd be curious to know what music you listen to in this state as a whole. For instance, I find this score of John Barry's highly evocative https://www.youtube....v=esrTfwBiOM0. 

 

In terms of an increased libido, however, I think the answer to that depends on multiple factors. For instance, are you married or single? Sex drive is always present, at some level, but the terms of our relationship and potential partners has a dramatic influence on sex drive, testosterone levels. These are never stagnant. 

 

Sex drive is one of our core biological drives: we are highly goal oriented when aroused, and therefore, as a consequence of your own interest higher arousal translates directly into higher libido. While this might be true as a general fact, in a sense, it also speaks to your own particular priorities. Just an assumption. 

 

 

 

[Wingless]

You were almost at the answer, you mentioned it in your post tag "dopamine".

 

"Humans and animals take actions quickly when they expect that the actions lead to reward, reflecting their motivation. Injection of dopamine receptor antagonists into the striatum has been shown to slow such reward-seeking behavior, suggesting that dopamine is involved in the control of motivational processes"

 

Essentially, you're more likely to pursue pleasurable activities under the influence of higher concentrations of dopamine, which further elicit the release of more dopamine. It's what makes dopaminergic drugs addictive. You eventually lose interest as neurons either desensitize to the dopamine, or neurons run out of dopamine reserves.

 

See that's what I suspected but for some reason the idea that dopamine has such a central role in my life is really bothering me, because I highly suspect I have chronically low levels of it.

 

 

 

I've struggled with depression for much of my life. Literally, I have to be listening to music to actually get some  work done. Music is processed across the brain, not merely in a single region or center. That, plus the emotional stimulation of music, provides a catalyst for a brain that's actually slowed down in other ways. 

 

For whatever neurochemical element you want to look at, I think that we can see depression as a form of decreased brain activity. Activities that call on multiple parts or the brain to become activated inherently counteract this tendency. 

 

What's odd about this, at least for me, is that often enough the music I prefer is actually 'sad' music. It still does help me. I suppose this is secondary to the question, but I'd be curious to know what music you listen to in this state as a whole. For instance, I find this score of John Barry's highly evocative https://www.youtube....v=esrTfwBiOM0. 

 

In terms of an increased libido, however, I think the answer to that depends on multiple factors. For instance, are you married or single? Sex drive is always present, at some level, but the terms of our relationship and potential partners has a dramatic influence on sex drive, testosterone levels. These are never stagnant. 

 

Sex drive is one of our core biological drives: we are highly goal oriented when aroused, and therefore, as a consequence of your own interest higher arousal translates directly into higher libido. While this might be true as a general fact, in a sense, it also speaks to your own particular priorities. Just an assumption. 

 

Yeah I listen to music constantly, though when I'm super depressed most music has absolutely zero interest to me and just sounds dull and boring.

 

I do listen to sad music when I'm depressed though, and I do agree that it tends to help, despite the common belief that it won't. Even when I'm in a good mood I tend to abhor cheery/upbeat music and generally prefer chill electronic music with a lowered emphasis on vocals/lyrics, and occasionally various genres of rock music. For me the purpose of music is to guide my thoughts and elicit emotional responses that I wouldn't otherwise have any practical way to evoke.

 

I've been single for nearly 2 years, I have noticed I'm in an intimate relationship my sex drive does go up.

 

I always figured high arousal is a symptom of high libido but the way you describe it makes more sense. In general sex is a very low priority in my life, but it still confounds me how I can go for days or even weeks without masturbating, or months without sex and not care.
 

Edited by Wingless, 23 August 2015 - 05:57 PM.

[Arjuna]

Both require dopamine to be functioning correctly.

"You can't come [cum], then fight or play. You can't do it. When I get ready to come, I come. But I do not come and play." - Miles Davis, the best jazz player of all time. By the way the etymology of the word jazz comes from jizzum, meaning the music is about sexual energy.

[monamie]

Yes, that's my experience. 

 

Feeling pleasure is my inability. Music, sex/orgasm, beauty, sun shining on me. All these seems to go together....

 

To me, music is not "soothing" like I think i should be. It makes me feel uncomfortable. 

 

Dopamine dysfuntion would be the cause, some connection with lowish cortisol.... I don't know!

 

 

 

Actually I don't think the sex-drive is the problem here, I think it is the ability/inability to feel pleasure that has been injured in some way.

Edited by monamie, 30 August 2015 - 09:23 AM.