Global warming is increasingly affecting nature and our environment. But that's not all. Warmer temperatures also have a direct impact on our behavior. For the first time, a connection between global warming and our sexual behavior has now been scientifically proven.
Europe is experiencing the warmest start to spring since weather records began. However, the above-average temperatures not only have an effect on nature and the environment, but also on ourselves. The casual dating platform Titt4Tat has noticed a trend and got to the bottom of it together with an endocrinologist.
Spring fever at record levels
Never before has spring started so hot so early, and at the same time Titt4Tat's user numbers climbed to unimagined heights. A coincidence? The experts say: not at all! The rising temperatures are not only cranking up the mercury, but also the
hormones. More sunshine means more serotonin and dopamine in the blood - and that not only makes you happier, but also more willing to flirt.
Science explains
Warmer weather leads to more sunlight, which boosts vitamin D and testosterone production and increases libido in men and women, according to a study of Science&Humans (January 24). The increase in serotonin levels caused by more sunlight improves mood and reduces conditions such as depression and anxiety, making people more likely to engage in sexual activity. Longer days and better weather encourage outdoor and social activities and provide more opportunities for sexual encounters. Lighter clothing in the warmer months can increase people's physical attraction and arousal. Overall, the combination of hormonal changes, improved mental well-being and increased social interactions in warmer weather contributes to higher levels of sexual activity.
This theory was put forward in a study by Oxford Academic back in 1992 and today it has become a measurable reality.
What does this mean for our love life in the future?
"The record registrations this spring confirm this: The warm temperatures are fueling desire. Openness and willingness to flirt are on the rise," says Titt4Tat.
If we turn our gaze to the slightly more southerly countries, we might get an indication of where our dating and flirting behavior will be heading in the future.
"Whether the reserved Swiss will actually become the Latin lovers of the future cannot yet be answered conclusively. However, it cannot be denied that the trend is already pointing in this direction".
Oxford Academic also confirms this. While people in colder countries become more sexually active when temperatures rise, the exact opposite happens in southern countries when temperatures rise.
