The Neuroscience of Aromantic and Asexual Identities
- Emanuela Brun
- Jun 7
- 2 min read
Before diving in:
Aromantic (aro) people experience little or no romantic attraction to others.
Asexual (ace) people experience little or no sexual attraction.
Both identities exist on spectrums with many variations and are valid ways of experiencing attraction and relationships.
Research on aro and ace individuals is still emerging, but what we know so far shows these identities are natural and valid parts of human diversity, not choices or disorders.
What we know so far:
Low sexual attraction does not equal dysfunction
Asexuality is not a disorder. The American Psychological Association recognizes it as a valid sexual orientation, not the result of trauma or dysfunction. Many ace people have healthy emotional and romantic lives, just without sexual desire.
Possible brain differences?
A 2015 study by Brotto & Yule found asexual individuals show lower physiological responses to sexual stimuli — not because of distress, but suggesting a different, not deficient, way of experiencing sexuality.
Some facts about asexuality and aromanticism:
Prevalence: About 1% of the population identifies as asexual (Bogaert, 2004).
Emotional Intimacy & Attraction: Research by Yule et al. (2017) shows aro and ace individuals often experience emotional intimacy and attraction differently, highlighting the diversity of human relationships.
Brain Activity: A study by Van Houdenhove et al. (2015) observed distinct brain responses to sexual stimuli in asexual women, suggesting biological differences in sexual orientation.
Natural Variation: Prause & Graham (2007) found sexual desire varies widely among individuals, supporting that asexuality is a natural variation rather than dysfunction.
Each person’s experience of attraction is unique.
It’s our responsibility to acknowledge and respect diverse identities to foster a more inclusive and understanding society.
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