Question

Let’s say some imaginary person has swiped right and is finally going out on a date. They are nervous before the date (STRESS!), but then have a nice, delicious dinner (FEEDING!) and good conversation, and then, because everyone involved has given continuous, enthusiastic consent (yes!), they engage in what scientists like to call “the sexytimes” (SEX!). Describe what is happening in the imaginary person’s autonomic nervous system at each of these three stages of the date. Be sure to cover which branch of the autonomic nervous system is activated, which neurotransmitters are being released, from which section of the spinal column/which specific neurons/nerves are involved, and which targets (muscles, organs, glands, etc.) are activated.

Answer 1

Catecholamines are released during stress. dopamine, epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) included under these.
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) has a direct role in physical response to stress
Dopamine is released during eating.
The neurotransmitter dopamine is produced in response to sexual stimulation.
parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) stimulates sexual arousal, salivation, lacrimation, urination, digestion, and defecation. The PSNS primarily uses acetylcholine as its neurotransmitter.