What is Lust? Science Behind Lust and How to Recognize It

Did you know that lust is much more than just physical attraction? It is a deep-seated desire that can take you over and make your heart beat faster. Lust goes beyond just seeing someone attractive, it is a passion that overtakes you and drags you to undiscovered hidden desires. But what exactly is it?

What is lust?

Lust is a natural and instinctive desire for sexual gratification. It is a powerful feeling that overwhelms and draws you to another person. Lust is a basic desire inherent to being human, and it plays an important role in our psyche and relationships.

Lust is usually triggered by physical attraction. It can start with something as simple as a certain look, a subtle touch or a smile. It can also arise from shared interests, humor and charisma. In essence, it is about being attracted to someone in a sexual way, where you crave intimacy and all the physical pleasures that come with it.

Characteristics of feelings of lust

The characteristics of lust feelings can vary from person to person, but there are some common aspects that often occur. First, there is a strong physical attraction , where you feel the desire to be close to the other person and be intimate. You feel a thrill and a tingling in your body when you think about that person or are with that person.

Secondly, lust is often impulsive and intense. It overwhelms you. It makes you act on your desires rather than rational considerations. You can lose yourself in the moment and let your lust guide you.

Thirdly, lust is often accompanied by increased libido and sexual energy. It can lead to a strong need for sexual satisfaction and the urge to express your lust and then with the person you are attracted to.

The science behind lust

Lust is a complex feeling that can strike you in a variety of situations. But what actually happens in your brain when you experience lust? And why do you experience lust in the first place? Scientists have done extensive research into the various aspects of lust, from its biochemistry to its evolutionary function.

Hormones and Biochemistry Behind Lust

When you feel lust, several hormones are released in your body, including testosterone, dopamine, and oxytocin.

• Testosterone, the main sexual hormone in men and women, plays a crucial role in increasing libido and enhancing sexual attraction.
• Dopamine, also known as the ‘reward hormone’, is released during feelings of lust and provides a sense of pleasure and excitement. It gives you the motivation to act on your desires and seek sexual satisfaction.
• Oxytocin, also known as the ” cuddle hormone ,” is released during physical intimacy and orgasm. It plays an important role in strengthening the emotional bond between partners and creating a sense of connection and trust.

Together, these hormones play a crucial role in creating feelings of pleasure and stimulating sexual desire. They work together to give you an intimate, satisfying feeling that goes beyond physical attraction.

Processes in your brain

Through neuroimaging and psychological studies, researchers have gained interesting insights into the processes that take place in our brain when we experience lust. It turns out that the amygdala, a brain region involved in emotions, plays an important role in generating feelings of lust.

Evolutionary function of lust

The evolutionary function of lust is a fascinating subject in scientific research. Lust has the function of ensuring that we reproduce and pass on our genes to future generations. In the course of evolution, different strategies have developed to ensure the survival of our species. Lust is one of these strategies, because it motivates us to engage in sexual relations and enjoy intimate contact. We can therefore say that lust has been of crucial importance in the development and reproduction of humanity.

• It increases our chances of finding sexual partners and reproducing.
• It increases the diversity of genetic material, which is beneficial for the survival of our species.

ALSO READ: 114 Best Date Ideas for First, Second and More Dates

Lust vs. Love

When it comes to relationships and emotional connections , it is important to distinguish between lust and love. While both feelings can be positive experiences, there are clear (emotional) differences between the two.

Emotional differences

Lust is usually associated with a strong physical desire for another person. You feel an intense attraction, excitement and a strong urge for sexual satisfaction. Lust can often be accompanied by a temporary obsession and focus on the physical attractiveness of a person.

On the other hand, there is love. It is a bit more profound and involves a wider range of emotions, including empathy, affection, devotion and caring. Love goes beyond the physical and also involves the emotional aspect. It is more about a desire to grow together and share a life together.

Physical Attraction vs. Emotional Connection

In lustful relationships, physical attraction is often the most important element. It is about the lustful energy that arises when seeing or thinking about the other person. The pleasure and satisfaction are mainly focused on the sexual interaction and the desire for physical touch.

Love emphasizes emotional connection and intimacy. It involves a deeper connection on many levels, including emotional, mental, and spiritual. While physical attraction can play a role in loving relationships, it is not necessarily the most important aspect of the relationship. It is about sharing life experiences, offering support, and building a strong bond with each other .

In short, lust can be considered an intense, physical attraction that energizes a relationship, while love is more profound and creates an emotional connection.

ALSO READ: Couples Have More in Common Than We Think’

How lust expresses itself

Lust is a powerful emotion that can be expressed in different ways in different types of relationships. Whether you are just starting a new relationship , have been in a committed relationship with your partner for years, or are involved in an affair, lust can be present in different ways and can influence your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Here are the ways lust can express itself in new relationships, committed relationships, and affairs.

Lust in new relationships

When you first start a new relationship, lust can play a central role. At this stage, there is often a strong physical attraction between you and your new lover. You may desire each other passionately and your body may respond to the presence and absence of the other. You feel aroused and often have extremely high sexual desires.

During this lustful phase of a new relationship, you can lose yourself in exploring each other’s bodies and discovering each other’s sexual needs and desires . It can be an exciting – and energetic – time where physical intimacy often plays a major role.

• There is strong physical attraction and intense sexual desire.
• You are often excited and have a lot of energy in the bedroom.

ALSO READ: Is He The One? Not If He Does These 25 Things

Lust in long-term relationships

In long-term relationships, the intensity of lust can change, but it is definitely still there. The physical attraction can evolve into a deeper form of connection, where you are driven not only by lust, but also by love.

In this phase of lust, it can be especially important to keep the passion and excitement alive. That means trying new things together and experimenting with different forms of intimacy.

• A deeper form of connection, driven by both lust and love.
• Trying new things and experimenting with different forms of intimacy.

Lust in business

In affairs, lust can play an important and sometimes unpleasant role. A secret relationship with someone else can intensify lust. The forbidden nature of an affair adds to the excitement and passion you feel in the presence of your affair partner.

While lust can be a strong motivator in affairs, it can also be a source of guilt and fear. The feeling that you are cheating on your partner and the possible consequences of that can affect how you experience lust in an affair. Of course, we should also note that affairs are not necessarily based on lust alone. There can be other emotions and needs present, such as emotional connection, validation, or adventure.

• The forbidden nature of the relationship, which can intensify the excitement and passion.
• The presence of other emotions and needs, such as emotional connection and adventure.

How do you deal with feelings of lust?

Lustful feelings are a natural and normal part of our human existence. They can put you in confusing situations and be quite overwhelming. How do you deal with them?

Dealing with feelings of lust

Dealing with lust can sometimes be a challenge. First of all, it is wise to think about your own boundaries and those of others. Here are some tips to deal with lust in a healthy way:

• Discover where your boundaries are and what you are and are not comfortable with when it comes to feelings of lust.
• Talk openly and honestly with your partner(s) about your feelings and desires. Be clear about what you want and don’t want.
• Respect the boundaries of others. Remember that consent is always required in any sexual interaction.
• Learn to deal with rejection. Not everyone will have the same feelings of lust as you and that is okay. Respect the choices and desires of others, even if they do not align with your own.

ALSO READ: One-Sided Relationship? 22 Signs It’s Coming from One Side

Recognizing feelings of lust in others

Lustful feelings are not always easy to recognize in others. Everyone expresses lust in different ways and some people are better at hiding their lustful feelings than others. However, there are some signs that you can notice:

Physical signals:

• To blush or become red.
• Rapid breathing.
• Dilated pupils.
• Excitement (in the genitals).
• Changes in heart rate.

Behavioral signals:

• Flirting, such as making eye contact , smiling, or using body language to show interest.
• Subtle touches or physical contact.
• Showing more interest in sexual topics or conversations.
• Increased need for intimacy and closeness.

How we see lust

Lust is a normal and human desire that is present in many aspects of our lives, also within our society. There are several factors that influence how we experience lust and how we deal with it. Two important aspects are important: the influence of media on our perception of lust and the role of lust in the age of online dating.

ALSO READ: 35 Playful Dates to Keep Your Relationship Alive

The influence of media

The media has a huge impact on our society and the way we look at things. So also on lust. Series, television programs, magazines and online platforms often show a highly simplified form of lust, in which it is all about physical attractiveness and the superficial fulfillment of this sexual need. These images – that you and I see every day – influence the expectations and standards surrounding lust.

By constantly being exposed to a certain ideal image of lust, we tend to compare our own desires and experiences with what we see in the media. In the long run, this can lead to feelings of insecurity, dissatisfaction and even loss of self-esteem. Knowing this, it is good to realize that the media can give a distorted image of lust and that this does not always correspond to reality.

• Don’t be too influenced by the ideal image of lust that the media presents to you.
• Focus on developing a positive relationship with your own body and sexuality, free from external expectations.

Lust in the age of online dating

The digital revolution has revolutionized the way we date and find potential partners. With a simple swipe on a dating app, we can conjure up a whole range of potential matches. This abundance of choice seems like the perfect breeding ground for lust, but it also brings challenges.

Lust is often the first emotion that comes to the fore. We are attracted to the appearance of another person and often base our interest solely on the photos and limited profile information we see. This can lead to superficiality and cause other, deeper aspects of a person to be ignored.

• Try to look beyond superficial attraction.
• Take the time to really get to know someone before making decisions based on lust alone.

P.S. Are you already following Gistinger.com on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter?