Verified by Psychology Today

The Compass of Pleasure

Vice, virtue and the brain's pleasure circuits.

BDSM
The Neurobiology of BDSM Sexual Practice

David J Linden Ph.D. on March 20, 2015

How can one experience pain, either the physical pain of a smack on the tush or the emotional pain of humiliation, as pleasurable?

How can one experience pain, either the physical pain of a smack on the tush or the emotional pain of humiliation, as pleasurable?

Alcoholism
The Irish Ether Drinking Craze

David J Linden Ph.D. on June 1, 2011

County Derry, Ireland, 1880. During the 1830s Ireland was awash in alcohol, much of it produced locally in response to high alcohol import taxes imposed by the ruling British government. While many locals were assiduously distilling illegal poitín from potatoes or malted barley, a backlash against alcohol was also growing.

County Derry, Ireland, 1880. During the 1830s Ireland was awash in alcohol, much of it produced locally in response to high alcohol import taxes imposed by the ruling British government. While many locals were assiduously distilling illegal poitín from potatoes or malted barley, a backlash against alcohol was also growing.

Diet
Food, Pleasure and Evolution

David J Linden Ph.D. on March 30, 2011

One front in the societal war for your body fat is located in the test kitchens and offices of restaurant chains, commercial bakeries, and other "food service" corporations.

One front in the societal war for your body fat is located in the test kitchens and offices of restaurant chains, commercial bakeries, and other "food service" corporations.

Addiction
Cocaine, Nicotine and Your Inner Dog

David J Linden Ph.D. on February 2, 2011

Recently, hundreds of indigenous people staged a protest in front of the US embassy in La Paz Bolivia in which they chewed coca leaf and chanted "Coca es medicina!" The protest was peaceful and good-natured with protestors offering coca leaves to the Bolivian police, some of whom were happy to join in.

Recently, hundreds of indigenous people staged a protest in front of the US embassy in La Paz Bolivia in which they chewed coca leaf and chanted "Coca es medicina!" The protest was peaceful and good-natured with protestors offering coca leaves to the Bolivian police, some of whom were happy to join in.