You’re more likely to take a woman to bed if she’s been fully and properly fed first (i.e. not starving). No, we’re not kidding. Scientists from Drexel University say so.
In the study, researchers used MRI imaging to examine the reward centers in the brains of hungry and satiated women—some of which were past-dieters, and others who had never dieted—as they viewed “romantic pictures.” Then they compared the same group of women as they viewed neutral stimuli in the fasted and fed state.
Interestingly enough, the young women—regardless of their dieting history—had greater brain activation in response to these sexual images in the reward-related areas after having eaten, than when they were hungry. Typically, people demonstrate a greater sensitivity to rewarding stimuli like money and drugs when they’re hungry. But not when it comes to sex, apparently.
“In this case, they were more responsive when fed,” study author Alice Ely, PhD, said in a release. “This data suggests that eating may prime or sensitize young women to rewards beyond food. It also supports a shared neurocircuitry for food and sex.”
So, if you’re planning a romantic night out in hopes of it leading to a romantic night in, make sure to make a stop at a restaurant, or cut out all the excess travel time and cook her a meal at home. Satiate her hunger, and odds are, she’ll satisfy yours.
