and at what age?

Been finding out many things have changed for me and I am not that old. Foods I hated before, aren't so bad and things I liked are boring. Outlook on life has changed as well. Always been a realist but I have become even more aware, which I didn't think was possible.

I haven't seen a difference in what I am typically attracted to... but lately been appreciating the calmer, laid back sort. Always was an affectionate person, but lately more so.  

Sort of confusing as I have and still am a horn dog, but I would be grateful just to curl up and cuddle. Be touched and chat with a warm body.

I KNOW I am not alone in this.

The people I work with say you age in seven year increments..
I'm starting to belive them.
Thinking back. Life changed for me at 14 21 and 28.
I agree with the food thing..
But I think it's my body telling me, craving healthier foods.
If I ate the way I used to. I would be a fat man.

I'm a guy... So I will be kicked out of the man club if I admit just hanging out, and being lazy with a girl doesn't appeal to me.. It never used to.. Your right

Our taste buds do change - like you mentioned certain foods that we hated as kids we now like and vice versa. Usually for the better, like I now love spinach, green beans, asparagus, broccoli, etc.

When I was in my teens/20's I had a strong desire for older women (30's-40's) more so than girls my age. Now, I desire younger women - but 99% of providers are younger than me anyway. LOL!
I still find myself pretty horny - but I do crave the close physical contact with a woman like the cuddling you mentioned more now than when I was much younger.
I don't know if for me it was more gradual or it happened in increments (~ 7 years) like you and others mentioned.

Hefner likes 'em young and hot and so do I.

I will admit to it just hanging out with woman is nice!!!!!!!!!

Our bodies change as we grow older, and our minds become shaped by new experiences.

I notice the same things that you mention.

Some things don't change however.  For example, I've always loved massage and always will.

A person needs some guideposts even while exploring new lands.

I believe it was Emerson who wrote, “The years teach us much that the days never knew.” Life is about change – and, ideally, growth. More than the ebb and flow of tastes and fancies, the real question is, am I a better person now than I was then.

END OF MESSAGE

I would add that growth does not necessarily have to make us a "better" person (if we define "a better person" as "a more worthwhile person").  Growth which simply makes us more self-aware, and able to have more realistically positive beliefs about ourselves, can still be very worthwhile.  

 

 

 

-- Modified on 5/12/2013 11:38:09 AM

Adult neural plasticity in humans is real.  New neural pathways are created and strengthened, as the Hebbian Axiom that "neurons that fire together, wire together" makes a physical reality out of our experiences.

Genetic predispositions, when triggered by experiences, result in gene transcription.  The proteins created by this help in creating and strengthening neural pathways through several mechanisms: increased dendritic spine growth, increased density of neurotransmitter receptor sites on the surface of the dendritic spines, and increases in the time period during which the neuroreceptor sites are "open" to receive the neurotransmitters.  

This is the answer to the "nature vs nuture" debate.  The answer is that both "nature" (genetic predispositions) and "nuture" (the experiences that we have) are important, as the second triggers the first and causes the physical changes in the brain which I described above.

Liked to taste you THEN and NOW.  

I've also noticed a few changes in my tastes when it comes to foods and my outlook on life.  I use to hate onions and garlic when I was younger, but now I like them as long as they're cooked.  Although, I still hate brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage.

I noticed that I'm less of an optimist today than I was in my younger days.  I'm more of pessimist today.  I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

Although some things never change.  I've been addicted to cute blondes, since my first crush when I was in the 4 grade ...LOL.  Although, I do like brunettes and redheads, as well. :-

I've recently been reading a bit about neural plasticity and find it pretty damn fascinating. Learning about the brain never ceases to excite me.

Now you're talking about adult neural plasticity, and I had been wondering about that. What I have been reading has focused on children and how horrible experiences prior to 3 years old can hard wire a brain to dysfunctionality emotionally and intellectually. I understand that the hard wiring can be undone with extensive and expensive therapy (sometimes successful but more often than not unsuccessful), and I had wondered what would happen if nobody cared and the child grew into an adult and then wanted to make changes. Is it even possible?

Any books you can recommend on the concept of adults and neural plasticity?

Also, can an experience (nurture) create a physical change in the brain even if no genetic predisposition (nature) existed? I am thinking that if an experience is traumatic enough, the brain changes physically regardless of genetic predisposition.

I guess the question is "worthwhile" from whose perspective? I would say that someone who is "more self-aware, and able to have more realistically positive beliefs about [themselves]" is a more worthwhile person in their own eyes.

END OF MESSAGE

I have also heard the 7 year theory. I believe I read somewhere once that after every 7 years, we are completely new people physically because all our cells have died off an been regenerated.

But yes, my core desires remain. I have merely added more desires as I have gotten older.  

I have noticed that I get dizzier these days. So my tastes in amusement park rides have evolved to exclude some I would have waited in endless lines for as a younger woman.

I have to agree, I appreciate cuddle time a lot more. I also appreciate a provider who will provide me with plenty of foreplay, and a long session with one pop byt deeply satisfies is better than two or more quick pops.

I visited with my favorite last night, and we went at it for an hour before either of us O'ed. In act, I came harder than I have in a long time. It was heavenly and the time afterward with the glow was wonderful.

Brain science is making tremendous advances.  It has already had a huge impact of the practice of psychotherapy, and this impact will only grow in the future.  I can see a time in which insurers will expect to see progress which is measurable by brain imaging techniques (at this point, mostly fMRI or PET).  

Yes, we know that neural networks which are usually formed during infancy do not form in some individuals, often as a result of the infant being neglected.  This will result in problems for the individual later in life.  Can psychotherapy "rewire " the brain and reverse the physical impact on the brain of an individual's problematic infancy?  It can, within limits.  An individual can create and strengthen those neural networks which are used during healthy, adaptive thinking, and can engage in that kind of thinking in a therapeutic alliance with a cognitive behavioral therapist, for example.  

I posted on this recently on the TER Media discussion board.  

You also ask about trauma.  Looking at PTSD, we know that some individuals have more genetic susceptibility than others to developing PTSD as a result of trauma, but that does not mean that those with less genetic susceptibility are "invulnerable" to PTSD - if the trauma they experience is sufficiently severe, they will also develop PTSD.  The flooding of the brain's HPA with cortisol can overwhelm anyone.  However, PTSD can be treated (though not "cured") with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, usually with a combination of Cognitive Reframing (learning to think about the traumatic experience more realistically) and Exposure Therapy (gradual exposure to "triggers").

 

 

I'll have to go check out your post on the media board.  

This last part has some very interesting implications for soldiers returning from combat. I am aware that they can supposedly get help if they need it, but I wonder how good that help actually is, and if they even realize they need it. It just seems like all soldiers who have seen combat should as a matter of course be evaluated for PTSD upon returning from active combat duty.