Electrode to the Pleasure Center

[The_Controvert]

Ok, if you took a psychology class, you probably heard about the experiment where the scientists put an electrode in the brain of a rat and when the rat pulled a lever, it got a pleasant shock.

The rat chose that lever over the food lever and eventually starved to death.

My question: Has this ever been tried on humans? I would imagine some folks would pay for this!

[miatachris]

You may enjoy the book “The Terminal Man” by Michael Crichton.

[Johnny_L.A]

The electrode thing was used in Larry Niven’s Ringworld books.

From http://husted.com/hgsf/Tasp.htm :

Tasp

A device which can be used from close-range to stimulate the pleasure centers of the brain. Tasps are primarily used by practical jokers who “make someone’s day” from hiding.

Wireheads have had a wire connected directly to the pleasure center which is stimulated by a “droud” and produces an effect superior to the tasp. This practice is highly addictive and users usually indulge to the point of neglecting all other pastimes, including body maintenance (compare fornixator).

The tasp, however, being operative on anyone from a distance, can also be used as a weapon. As a defense, the victim becomes generally disinterested in violence and therefore poses no threat. Offensively, the wary victim comes to realize that “anything that feels this good” must be addictive. The victim would be wise not to risk further exposure and eventual slaving to the tasp.

[Grok]

Geez, only two replies and they both have covered what I was going to say. Guess that means we’re pretty good at this…

[incitatus]

I remember a lecture about this in my psych intro course a few years back. A student asked if the experiment had ever been tried with humans. If I recall correctly, the professor answered the it had indeed been tried with humans but the results were nothing like what you see with rats. The subjects described the electrodes as producing a very mild and unremarkable pleasure (nothing like full-body orgasms or anything) and they had no trouble restraining themselves from pushing the button.

I have no idea why it works so well with rats but not with humans. Maybe rats are easier to please.

[dqa]

Orgasms at the Push of a Button