The UBC Sexual Psychophysiology and Psychoneuroendocrinology Laboratory is a research laboratory located on two floors within the UBC Department of Psychology. Run by Dr. Boris Gorzalka, researchers in the lab conduct behavioural neuroscience, clinical, and forensic research pertaining to human and animal models of sexuality.
The behavioural neuroscience division investigates animal models of human behaviour. The focus of this research is to investigate the functional role of serotonin receptor activity, endocannabinoids and adrenal and gonadal steroids in animal models of sexual dysfunction, anxiety, depression and other forms of psychopathology.
The clinical division focuses mainly on female sexuality, investigating topics such as sexual and gender identity disorders, the effects of various pharmacological agents on sexual functioning, the effects of sympathetic nervous system activation on sexual functioning, and sexual functioning in pre- versus postmenopausal women. Much of this research utilizes the vaginal photoplethysmograph to assess female sexual arousal. In addition, the laboratory investigates the influence of culture on sexual attitudes, behaviours, and experiences.
The forensic division is a relatively new division of the laboratory and is still in the process of being fully developed. To date, the research has mainly been focused on men who solicit sex from street prostitutes. Further research in this division is focused on exploring and understanding the nature and causes of sexual offending in order to develop effective treatments for male offenders. New studies will focus on men who have been convicted of various sexual crimes, including pedophilia, sexual assault, and incest. A penile plethysmograph, similar to the vaginal photoplethysmograph employed with women, will be used to measure sexual arousal in men physiologically.
Both the clinical and the forensic divisions are often in need of participants for various studies. For information on current research involving human research participants, please see the Research Participants section.