The Kinsey Institute

Episode 481: Can Our Brains Handle Modern Dating? - Sex and Psychology From dating apps to AI matchmaking, we're exploring how modern technology affects the human brain and how it's reshaping intimacy.

Humans evolved for face-to-face courtship in small communities. So what happens when we take that same mating psychology and drop it into a global, app-based marketplace? @kinseyinstitute.bsky.social Director @drjustingarcia.bsky.social has the answer. www.sexandpsychology.com/blog/podcast...

Want to know more about the little-known history of sex research? Start in our archives kinseyinstitute.org/collections/...

You can find books and articles from Shere Hite in our archives, alongside many other researchers in this field 👏

Episode 480: The Evolution Of Love And Desire - Sex and Psychology Are humans built for monogamy? What happens inside the brain when we fall in love? Unpacking the neurobiology of love, desire, and attachment.

Humans evolved powerful brain systems for both attachment AND novelty. That tension explains a lot about modern relationships, as @drjustingarcia.bsky.social from the @kinseyinstitute.bsky.social explains on today's episode. www.sexandpsychology.com/blog/podcast...

Find us @spspnews.bsky.social this week and stop by this session 👇

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More people want open relationships, but many don't last. A sex researcher shares the 3 top reasons couples return to monogamy. Dr. Justin R. Garcia, who runs the Kinsey Institute, found that consensual non-monogamy doesn't work for most people. Here's why.

Dr. Justin R. Garcia, who runs the Kinsey Institute, found that consensual non-monogamy doesn't work for most people. Here's why.

A headshot picture of Geena Davis with science of love logo

Thank you @greatergoodmag.bsky.social @geenadavisorg.bsky.social for having us join this podcast 🎧

We loved exchanging ideas on the science of love with you 🧬

@drjustingarcia.bsky.social

greatergood.berkeley.edu/podcasts/ite...

Thank you for having us join episode 2!

Are Condoms Going Out of Style? Six Theories on Why Condom Use is Decreasing - Sex and Psychology People today are less likely to report using condoms than they were in the past. For example, among teens, the number who reported using a condom the last time they had intercourse dropped from 59% to 54% between the years 2013 and 2017—and the drop was similar for both male and female teenagers. During the same time period, condom use rates also declined among adult men who have sex with men, but this group experienced an even steeper drop.So what’s behind this trend? Why do condoms seem to be going out of style for so many people?

Condom use has been dropping across several demographic groups--but the reasons for this are many and varied. Here's a look at some of the contributing factors. https://www.sexandpsychology.com/blog/2020/3/4/are-condoms-going-out-of-style-six-theories-on-why-condom-use-is-decreasing/

A Valentine’s gift for yourself? 💝

🚨 March session closing soon 🚨

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SF exhibit focuses on LGBTQ psychiatry history Beginning in the 1930s Louise Lawrence began clipping out news articles about transsexuals, cross dressing, and other aspects about the lives of gender-nonconforming people for a scrapbook she was cre...

Rarely-seen letters, photographs, and archival materials related to LGBTQ people and the field of psychiatry from the archives of the Kinsey Institute are now on display in the exhibition "Desire on the Couch" in SF at the California Institute of Integral Studies.... www.ebar.com/story/162597...

Thank you for sharing!

Thank you!

Want more Sex Ed? Our partners at the Kinsey Institute have compiled research summaries from recent studies related to the topics covered in each episode of Crash Course Sex Ed. You can find links to relevant resources in the description of each Crash Course Sex Ed video, and at complexly.info/sexed

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New study out now ❤️‍🔥

Among 10,036 single U.S. adults aged 18 to 99, on average participants reported experiencing passionate love twice in their lifetime, while 14% had never experienced it.

doi.org/10.54899/ijp...

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✨Enter to WIN✨ The Intimate Animal Gift Box with a copy of the book 📖 + goodies from the Kinsey Institute, Esther Perel & Mienne 🎁

Enter here ⬇️
knsy.in/bookprize

@drjustingarcia.bsky.social @littlebrown.bsky.social

LEARNING NETWORK VIRTUAL FORUM AI & GBV: Harms, Impacts, and Emerging Practices in Prevention & Response

Join us Feb 4 for a presentation w/ Dr. Ellen Kaufman about the risks & opportunities around virtual connection

Sign up here: kh-cdc-ca.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Want to go deeper than pop sex ed? 👀

Take a look at our 4-day certificate program for a research-driven, ethically grounded, and interdisciplinary course on sexuality. knsy.in/intensive

A picture of museum text being applied on a gallery wall with a ladder

Behind-the-scenes. We’ve just finished installing our NEW exhibition w/ CIIS “Desire on the Couch” opening Jan 28 in San Francisco. Come explore a century-long dialogue between psychoanalysis, sexology, & community knsy.in/desire-ciis

Last day to preorder!

knsy.in/intimateanimal

Here are 6 tips and strategies from sex therapists on how to spark more sexual desire in your relationship. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/well/sex-drive-libido-desire.html?unlocked_article_code=1.GlA.3LCo.gZMQ1gYXIbYF&smid=url-share

Picture of crash course series with birds and bees

We're recruiting for a new study, can you help? Must:

Have seen at least 1 episode of YouTube series "Crash Course Sex Ed"

Be a parent / caregiver for someone <18 

Live in USA 🇺🇸

IF yes. Please consider taking a short survey to share your 💭 on sex ed: iu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Adults in a class with text overlayed “kickstart your learning with a certificate from the Kinsey Institute”

If your work touches sex, relationships, or intimacy, you’ve probably been asked questions your formal training never covered. Want to build credible, research-driven knowledge?

🎓 Check out our 4-day Human Sexuality Intensive course. knsy.in/intensive

Desire on the Couch | Kinsey Institute and CIIS Desire on the Couch Desai / Matta Gallery, California Institute of Integral Studies January 28 - March 14, 2026 Desire on the Couch trans...

In San Francisco? Join us for our NEW exhibition Desire on the Couch w/ CIIS exploring a century-long dialogue between psychoanalysis, sexology, & the lived experiences of everyday people knsy.in/desire-ciis

Happy New Year! ✨ Stay up-to-date on all our events, courses, scholarships, and more coming in 2026 by subscribing to our newsletter 📧 ⬇️

knsy.in/subscribe

The State Of Dating Entering 2026 - Sex and Psychology 2025 dating trends give us insight into the dating landscape in the new year. Finding a partner will be all about authenticity and organic connections.

Increasingly, it seems that people don’t feel as much pressure to be in relationships as they used to. And when they do get into relationships, they’re looking for partners who are genuine and authentic. https://www.sexandpsychology.com/blog/2025/12/24/the-state-of-dating-entering-2026/

Headshots of Justin and Nayeema with headline text reading virtual Q&A

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY ⚡️📖

Preorder The Intimate Animal - a new book from Kinsey Institute Exec Director @drjustingarcia.bsky.social - to request an exclusive invite for a Q&A with Dr. Garcia + @nayeema.bsky.social

Details: knsy.in/intimateanimal
Register by: Jan 26, 2026

@littlebrown.bsky.social