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French Researchers Study the Brain Scans of Porn Watchers

by Christine Whitney on June 20, 2008 at 09:29 AM



A team of researchers from France's University of Picardie Jules Verne were curious about erections. So they came up with a study designed to uncover just what goes on in mens' minds when they look at "certain images" (porn). The complicated study involved such diverse elements as a "penile plethysmograph," fishing videos, and smut. Eight bros watched raunchy vids or something while researchers tracked their erections, er, reactions, and, according to boingboing, "how hard they were."

Researcher Harold Mouras and co. studied whether "mirror neurons," neurons that are activated both when a person performs an action and watches that action being performed, were involved in erectile processes. And what better way to find out than good ol' fashioned pornography.

And mirror neurons are behind it all! the study suggests. The scientific data is a bit mind-boggling, but basically shows that those crazy neurons can act like erectile triggers, and can "activate" an erection each time one looks at dirty pics on YouPorn.

The "bold" study is said to be the first of its kind. Oh, those French. [Source: New Scientist via BoingBoing]

Tags: science, sex

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