Scientists in the UK are working on methods to stimulate the brain, specifically in the orbitofrontal cortex, the part of the brain that feels pleasure from eating and sex. According to The Telegraph, implantation of a chip into that area of the brain is expected to result in increased sexual pleasure. Previous studies in one woman with very low sex drive becoming one with a very active sexual appetite. However, the scientists reported, “She didn’t like the sudden change, so the wiring in her head was removed.”
Using this chip technology, deep brain stimulation may be used to revive or enhance areas of the brain that are lacking. This is already done for Parkinson’s disease, and it would appear now that researchers are looking to do the same for pleasure enhancement. Even better, scientists believe it may be able to work on an electric switch to be used as needed.
As the Oxford researcher Aziz stated:
“When the technology is improved, we can use deep brain stimulation in many new areas. It will be more subtle, with more control over the power so you may be able to turn the chip on and off when needed. In 10 years’ time the range of therapies available will be amazing – we don’t know half the possibilities yet.”
In fact, this is the frightening part. Turning on sexual stimulation with the flip of a switch–like with the Clapper? Of course, such a device has the potential to be abused just as erectile dysfunction medications are used by those without ED, just for enhancement. But when one is talking about implanting a chip in the brain–aren’t the concerns about risks and abuse greater? How would doctors be able to tell the difference between those suffering from true anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure, from those who can and who want to be enhanced? Or should they have to? Is the brain exceptional in this way?
These are tough neuroethics questions for which we need answers soon. As in, before someone develops an Orgasmatron chip that’s ready for consumers–and that is certain to be in high demand.
Summer Johnson, PhD