The hormone. Formerly known as metastin, kisspeptin — which is appropriately named, if we might add — is a hormone that’s linked to feelings of sexiness, lust, and romance. It plays a key role in the onset of puberty, sexual maturation, and in the body's “ovulatory mechanism,” according to Science Direct. In other words, it’s pretty darn important.
The study. Now, let’s get to the nitty-gritty stuff. For the study, researchers from Imperial College London injected 29 healthy, adult men with a dose of kisspeptin. So, what’d the scientists find? Well, they found that the injection boosted the brain’s response to images of couples in sexual or romantic situations.
The study. When showed these sorts of pictures, the participants’ MRI scans showcased increased activity in parts of the brain stimulated by sexual arousal, Metro reports. But what about when the volunteers were showed non-romantic or non-sexual images? Turns out, the same effect in the brain did not occur in these situations.
What it means. So, what do the study’s findings mean? Well, they could mean that conditions like impotence, which have at least some psychological basis, might soon be treatable with a simply a kisspeptin injection. No, really. That’s all it could take!
What it means. Professor Waljit Dhillo, who led the study, explained in the report that the research could also be used to treat emotional factors which may lead to fertility. How? Well, it’s known that the brain plays a key role reproduction. However, what’s not known is the full extent of that role.
Treatment. Professor Dhillo pointed out that most of the research and treatment methods for infertility currently focus on the biological factors that may make it difficult for a couple or single parent to conceive naturally. "These of course play a huge part in reproduction,” he said, according to U.S. News, "but the role that the brain and emotional processing play in this process is also very important, and only partially understood."
Treatment. In regards to seeking treatment for psychosexual disorders, Professor Dhillo said, according to the Independent: “Our initial findings are novel and exciting as they indicate that kisspeptin plays a role in stimulating some of the emotions and responses that lead to sex and reproduction.” He added: "Ultimately, we are keen to look into whether kisspeptin could be an effective treatment for psychosexual disorders, and potentially help countless couples who struggle to conceive.”
”Mental Viagra.” It seems to us, then, that the study’s findings beg the question: Can the hormone kisspeptin be used as a sort of “mental Viagra”? Apparently. When asked whether or not it could by The Telegraph, Professor Dhillo said: “Yes, exactly like that.”
Mood. In addition, kisspeptin seemed to be involved in regulating mood, the researchers found. What’s more, the hormone also seemed to play a part in reducing negativity. This suggests that kisspeptin may actually be able to combat depression, according to the Independent.
Mood. However, the study found that injecting kisspeptin didn’t impact positive mood. But, it did reduce negative moods, affecting the parts of the brain linked with not only romantic love, but maternal love as well. Not to mention, even unconditional love. Yes, really.
Mood. “Our study shows that kisspeptin boosts sexual and romantic brain activity as well as decreasing negative mood,” Dr Alexander Comninos, also from Imperial College, who co-authored the research, said. “This raises the interesting possibility that kisspeptin may have uses in treating psychosexual disorders and depression which are major health problems which often occur together,” he added. Keep in mind, however, that further studies will be needed in order to investigate this.
Sex offenders. Last but certainly not least, the hormone could also be used to help sex offenders by allowing them to “feel lust without needing such graphic triggers,” according to The Telegraph. “So far we have only done this on study on healthy young men, without sexual problems so we need to see if could be repeated on those with disorders,” Professor Dhillo explained to the U.K. outlet. "But we did find that those people who had lower pleasure ratings to begin with gained the biggest effect.
Safety. In terms of safety, is kisspeptin, well, safe? “This hormone is in all of us, so we know that is safe, and maybe one day there will be a tablet that people could take to boost this effect,” Professor Dhillo said, according to The Telegraph. "This started out as a crazy idea and we did the experiment to see if it would work, and we have the first indication that it might.”
Reactions. The study’s finding sound impressive, right? … Right? Not so fast. Turns out, not everyone’s on board the kisspeptin-train. “Oxytocin in a spray is great for mental illness,” one user commented on the Independent. “You used to be able to get it over the counter agh the chemists, now you cannot get it on prescription. This is probably due to it being cheaper and quicker than traditional menthol health medication."
Bottom line. Currently, the team plans to look into the effects of kisspeptin in a large group including women alongside men. Curious for more about the study? Look at the published report for yourself over at the "Journal of Clinical Investigation."
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