puberty is still one of the great unsolved mysteries in biology .
kisspeptin is a naturally occurring hormone that stimulates the release of other reproductive hormones inside the body .
our data suggest a potential role for kisspeptin as an important mental viagra ’ is on the horizon after scientists discovered that a hormone which surges during puberty can activate lust signals in the brain .
the scientists behind the early - stage study , from imperial college london , are now keen to explore whether kisspeptin could play a part in treating some psychosexual disorders - sexual problems which are psychological in origin , and commonly occur in patients with infertility .
now scientists at imperial college london have found that an injection of kisspeptin can trigger chemicals in the brain which occur when people feel amorous and aroused .
kisspeptin is a protein that when released from the brain triggers the cascade of biochemical changes that leads to puberty , turning children into adults .
however , the pathways involved are multiple , complex , relatively poorly understood , and involve reproductive and metabolic hormones , pheromones , neuronal networks , peripheral organs , and various sensory signals , among others .
sexual and emotional responses are fundamental drivers of human behavior , and the links among sex , bonding , and reproduction ultimately ensure the survival of most mammalian species ( 20 ) .