Chemicals set men and women apart

Robert Chacon

Men may be from Mars and women may be from Venus, but it’s our

chemistry that sets us apart.

For women, the affection, being listened to and understanding

produce chemicals that lead to happiness, and in men happiness is

derived from solving big problems, said John Gray, author of several

books about relationships, including the 1992 bestseller, “Men are

from Mars, Women are from Venus.”

Gray will speak Saturday at La Canada Presbyterian Church. His

presentation begins at 6 p.m., and afterward he will sign copies of

his books.

It often surprises people that the happiness of a marriage or

relationship is largely dependent upon a diet that stimulates the

production of right-brain chemicals, Gray said.

“Nobody anticipates this -- that the chemical biology of men and

women relate to their style of communication,” he said.

Biochemical research proves the validity of what he has been

saying for decades and puts forth in his latest book, “The Mars and

Venus Diet and Exercise Solution,” Gray said. The hormones of men and

women are different, and they affect moods and motivation in

relationships in a different way, he said.

In men, for instance, the production of testosterone is a path to

happiness, Gray said. In women, oxytocin is the chemical that leads

to bliss.

The brain’s production of dopamine and serotonin also figures

largely in the success of a relationship.

“I will teach natural nutritional guidelines that people can use

to produce more dopamine and serotonin,” Gray said. “To maintain a

loving relationship, you need the right minerals, vitamins and

proteins.”

But don’t expect his speech to sound like that of some

star-crossed biology teacher. He will liven up the talk with

anecdotes, role-playing and the more familiar advice from his Mars

and Venus series of books.

“People will discover that their problems are not just their

problems. They are universal trends,” he said.