dreamer_easy | (no subject)

The cover story of the latest edition of the Journal of Consciousness Studies is the eye-catching "Phantom Penises in Transsexuals: Evidence of an Innate Gender-Specific Body Image in the Brain" (abstract here). Now, the phenomenon of "phantom limbs" in amputees is well-known; 60% of men who have had their penises removed experience this, but only 30% of male-to-female transsexuals experience it after their operation. Which is interesting enough, but 60% of female-to-male transsexuals also report experiencing a vivid "phantom penis", including phantom erections - in may cases, since childhood. This leads the researchers to speculate there's a "hard-wired" image of the body, including its physical sex, in the brain. Extremely interesting stuff.

ETA much later: a 2010 followup disputes their calculations.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Fascinating! What I think of as a "girlie hardon" is not the sensation of having the male member, but just the feeling of blood racing to one's area. But you're describing the sensation that Mr John Thomas is actually in your pants - is that right?

Edited 2008-04-10 23:32 (UTC)

It's sometimes like you've described as a "girlie hardon" but sometimes like having a John Thomas. Sometimes I feel I should look down and have a tent in my trousers.

(no subject)

Re: Warning! TMI may be ahead.

Re: Warning! TMI may be ahead.