health
February 15, 2026
Are we hard-wired for infidelity?
Monogamy may be held up as an ideal, but evolution has other ideas
TL;DR
- Humans have evolved with two competing drives: the desire for romantic bonds and the appetite for sexual novelty.
- A specific version of the dopamine D4 receptor gene is associated with a 50% higher likelihood of reporting infidelity.
- This genetic predisposition for sensation-seeking, including sexual novelty, may have been adaptive for our ancestors.
- While biology isn't destiny, understanding these drives is key to navigating modern relationships.
- Healthy ways to integrate novelty into a relationship, such as shared experiences and exploring fantasies, can strengthen intimacy and passion.
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