From Saturday Night Live to feminist organizations, everyone has taken a turn poking fun at Fifty Shades of Grey. But literary and cultural criticisms aside, E.L. James’ so-called mommy-porn has taken the book world by storm. And with talks of Harry Potter star Emma Watson being cast as protagonist Anastasia Steele in the upcoming movie version of the book, the Fifty Shades phenomenon seems to have some serious staying power.

But what makes James’ work so appealing? And why do women opt for the written word while men choose visual stimuli like Playboy?

Read on to find out why stories are more arousing than pictures and how reading Fifty Shades of Grey can jump-start your sex life.

Saucy stories leave lots to the imagination!

You’ve probably heard that men are more visual than women when it comes to sex, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Women are visual creatures too, but sometimes we like to envision our own version of events and people.

Carlyle Jansen,...

Sexting is hot! From naughty words to saucy pics, smart phones can pack as much erotic power as our traditional battery-operated devices. And though this techno-sex behaviour is low risk in some respects (STIs, unintended pregnancy), it carries a unique set of risks with regard to personal disclosure.

Here are a few tips for hotter, safer sexting:

Don’t show your face.

You’re gorgeous. But you don’t want that beautiful face attached to your super sexy body to be plastered on every social networking site around. Photos and videos can go viral and reach millions in a matter of minutes, so shoot from the neck-down.

Take close-ups.

This is a great way to keep your partner-in-sexting guessing as well as help disguise your identity. I have clients who go has far as adding fake tattoos to anonymize their photos, as you can never be too cautious.

Ask First

Sending unsolicited sexts is tantamount to harassment, so ask your flirty friend if they want your pics...

We all know that size doesn’t matter…at least when it comes to change. Small changes can have a huge impact on your sex life, so commit to making one minor change per week to keep things hot and steamy in (and out of) the bedroom.

I describe 3 simple changes below:

Change your timing

Nighttime sex can get boring. Even worse — it can become non-existent. With our hectic schedules, multiple responsibilities and spiking stress levels, we’re often too tired for sex after a long hard day. If you find yourself choosing sleep over sex, but you’re still longing for a little action, try being sexual at a different time of day.

Morning sex is a great way to start your day as you take advantage of higher testosterone levels after a good night’s sleep. And since sex can burn calories and give you a healthy glow, taking advantage of that morning wood is healthy too.

A little afternoon delight is another good option if you can slip away from...

We all know that size doesn’t matter… at least when it comes to change. Small changes can have a huge impact on your sex life, so commit to making one minor change per week to keep things hot and steamy in (and out of) the bedroom.

I describe 3 simple changes below:

Change your timing

via GIPHY

Nighttime sex can get boring. Even worse — it can become non-existent. With our hectic schedules, multiple responsibilities and spiking stress levels, we’re often too tired for sex after a long hard day. If you find yourself choosing sleep over sex, but you’re still longing for a little action, try being sexual at a different time of day.

Morning sex is a great way to start your day as you take advantage of higher testosterone levels after a good night’s sleep. And since sex can burn calories and give you a healthy glow, taking advantage of that morning wood is healthy too.

A little afternoon delight is another good option if you can slip...

Getting over your ex is never easy and when there is cheating involved in your break-up, it only complicates matters. It’s normal to feel a torrent of emotions ranging from deep sadness to full-on rage and many people find that a cheating ex can adversely impact their self-confidence. But the effects don’t have to be long-lasting. In fact, since you’ve already broken up, you’ve taken the most important and difficult step toward moving on. Now all you have to do, is take care of yourself and look toward your sunny and sexy future!

Read on for tips and advice from women who say they’re totally over their cheating exes.

Make it a clean break.

Thirty-three year-old Denise* insists that this is a non-negotiable and the experts tend to agree. If you’re going to get over a break-up, you need time to heal and continue to grow on your own. This doesn’t mean that you have to pretend that your ex has vanished off the face of the Earth, but you...

Part One

Despite what the spammers who clog my junk-mail box may believe, I’m not a believer in miracle pills and quick-fixes to sex problems — and believe it or not, I don’t want to add inches or last longer. Really! All jokes aside, the truth is that a hot sex life takes work and you can’t resolve deep-rooted issues overnight. However, the power of the mind is quite exceptional and my clients report higher levels of sexual self-confidence and ultimately, intensified sexual experiences after completing the exercise outlined below.

Make a list of your sexual strengths.

From your technical prowess and hot physical features to your sexual energy and top-notch attitude, a little positive sexual self-talk can go a long way. Even my clients who feel sexually lost can identify some of their strengths that make them sexually strong. A few of the creative and empowering items, I’ve seen on my clients’ lists include:

• Great hair
• Strong endurance...

Part One

Despite what the spammers who clog my junk-mail box may believe, I’m not a believer in miracle pills and quick-fixes to sex problems — and believe it or not, I don’t want to add inches or last longer. Really! All jokes aside, the truth is that a hot sex life takes work and you can’t resolve deep-rooted issues overnight. However, the power of the mind is quite exceptional and my clients report higher levels of sexual self-confidence and ultimately, intensified sexual experiences after completing the exercise outlined below.

Make a list of your sexual strengths.

From your technical prowess and hot physical features to your sexual energy and top-notch attitude, a little positive sexual self-talk can go a long way. Even my clients who feel sexually lost can identify some of their strengths that make them sexually strong. A few of the creative and empowering items, I’ve seen on my clients’ lists include:

• Great hair
• Strong endurance...

These types of research findings make me want to go back to school and study neurology!

In the latest brain-map research, scientists have actually identified the areas in which brain activity is most prominent when love is in the air -- and the mind.

By analyzing results from 20 studies, Jim Pfaus, a professor of psychology at Concordia University, developed a complete map of how love and desire relate to brain activity.

According to Science Daily:

"Love and sexual desire activate different areas of the striatum. The area activated by sexual desire is usually activated by things that are inherently pleasurable, such as sex or food. The area activated by love is involved in the process of conditioning by which things paired with reward or pleasure are given inherent value. That is, as feelings of sexual desire develop into love, they are processed in a different place in the striatum."

Pfaus explains that love is partically derived from desire. "Love is actually a habit that is...

These types of research findings make me want to go back to school and study neurology!

via GIPHY

In the latest brain-map research, scientists have actually identified the areas in which brain activity is most prominent when love is in the air -- and the mind.

By analyzing results from 20 studies, Jim Pfaus, a professor of psychology at Concordia University, developed a complete map of how love and desire relate to brain activity.

According to Science Daily:

"Love and sexual desire activate different areas of the striatum. The area activated by sexual desire is usually activated by things that are inherently pleasurable, such as sex or food. The area activated by love is involved in the process of conditioning by which things paired with reward or pleasure are given inherent value. That is, as feelings of sexual desire develop into love, they are processed in a different place in the striatum."

Pfaus explains that love is partically derived from desire. "Love is actually a...

Dr. Jess is very excited to be joining a select group of "newbie" couples in beautiful Negril, Jamaica in October. Couples' Retreat is designed for curious twosomes interested in improving their communication skills, intensifying passion & exploring the ins and outs of The Lifestyle.

Date: October 19th - 26th, 2012

Location: Hedonism II, Jamaica

Click here for more information.