Lecture 1 During sex most people experience high pleasure, does it mean that more sex would make you happier? I will talk about the human ability to let the imagination run wild beyond the here and now, an ability that comes at an emotional cost: sadness. Therefore, flow states in which we are completely immersed in something without thinking about anything else increase happiness. Should we aim for never-ending present? In this meeting I will explain the complex connection between sex, relations, and happiness. I will also present the concept of 'attachment theory', a central psychological theory that will accompany us throughout the course. I will begin to talk about the underlying biology of attachment which will be the subject of the next lecture. As this is the first lecture, I will also introduce myself. I hope that this lecture will help you avoid common mistakes if you aim for more happiness. Let's start!

Lecture 2 Human beings are built for relationships, and this is a rare characteristic in the animal kingdom. Only about 5% of mammals create long-term bonds. How does this happen? In this lecture, I will talk about monogamy, a broken heart, and oxytocin. Does sex create a bond or does the bond create sex? How does nature keep us in long-term relationships? Is there a gene for empathy or a gene for romantic attachment? How do researchers study these things? Among other things, the lecture will help you to avoid staying in toxic relationships. Additionally, I will talk about the impact of trauma and genetics on the ability to form relationships, trust, and cooperation, as well as autism and synchronization. In the past 20 years, there has been tremendous development in understanding the brain basis of relationships, but unfortunately, it is often accompanied by many myths. Therefore, in the lecture, I will explain the current and supervised view in the study of the brain and relationships. All you need is love.

Lecture 3 What is love? Love is a mystery that has occupied writers, poets, and philosophers throughout history. What do brain researchers say? In this lecture, I will talk about the motivation system, about the neural pathway of desire, about wanting too much, such as during addiction to pornography, how to harness our motivation towards our goals instead of the other way around. I'll explain why the understanding of the motivation system is important for long-term relationships and will dispell common myths. In general, we are wired to want more than to enjoy, but the permission to enjoy is given. Romantic love, though, has a unique characteristic: the desire to have sex with the partner. What is the neural basis of desire? Can we cause an eruption of desire with the press of a button? This could be advantageous for many as problems with desire are the most common sexual issue among women. Indeed, understanding the neural basis of desire has been translated into treatment. I will explain what medications are available today and what the current research directions are. I will talk about 'go' and 'no-go' in the sexual motivation system and about personalized medicine. Moreover, this knowledge is used to treat premature ejaculation. I will also touch sexual orientation, conversion therapy and male sexual behavior in females. Wow!

Lecture 4 After understanding how the brain creates desire, in this lecture I will explain the physiology of sexual behavior and how the brain oversees the act of love. I will explain how the brain communicates with the sexual organs, dispel common myths, discuss treatments for impotence, and explain the physiology of female arousal (lubrication), and squirting as well as male erection and ejaculation. I will talk about the role of the clitoris vs the vagina in orgasm, about men's multi-orgasm, and orgasms in spinal cord injury patients. I will also explain in depth the organization of the nervous system with a special emphasis on the autonomic nervous system. This will explain how arousal occurs in rape (!) and is also related to several theories on emotions. Do you like it deep?

Lecture 5 The lecture will focus on pleasant up to orgasmic sensations: how the brain understands touch and especially pleasant and even erotic human touch, and how the brain connects touch and emotion. I will also touch on (..) the importance of touch and about communication through touch. I will discuss substances that activate pleasure neural networks and the connection between pain and pleasure. How does feeling safe change the perception from unpleasant to pleasant. I will explain the surprising results regarding what actually makes sex enjoyable for males and females and of course, the orgasm: I will discuss types of orgasm, spontaneous orgasm, and orgasm in the brain. How is the orgasmic experience created by the brain? Finally, what does it take to make sex unforgettably great? So we end the course touching pleasure. It has been my pleasure to spread the knowledge, I hope you will/did enjoy the course. Thank you for participating!