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Christopher Ryan, author of Sex at Dawn, told a TED conference that human sexual behavior is comparable to our ape brethren. Chimps and bonobos don't restrict sexual activity, and they use it much in the same way as humans, as a manner of bonding. A new study finds that the hormone oxytocin is at the root of our desire to be with one person. Men who were spritzed with the hormone and showed pictures of their romantic partners showed a renewed attraction for that person and less so for strangers. The release of oxytocin triggers dopamine, a hormone that influences reward, motivation and even addiction. It makes people feel more trusting and more social and is triggered by massage, hugs and other social interaction. So it's not a question of what's "natural" – it's simply a question of you and your partner's desires.
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