By Elite Reporter
When it comes to sex, there is a lot of speculation about how an
orgasm affects the brain. It’s like a little death because it’s often
thought that your brain shuts off during an orgasm for a little bit in that
moment. But while that may be the case, that doesn’t mean that the
brain, in addition to the body, isn’t affected by an orgasm.
In fact, the brain is even more affected by an orgasm than the body and in far more complicated ways. Although it being a complex organ, there are many behaviors and reactions that experts and researchers understand about the brain, but much of the science of sex and sexuality still has yet to be explored.
It Lessens Anxiety
With this lowered decision-making comes lessened fear and anxiety
about, well, everything. If you’re really in the moment, as many are
during an orgasm, most other concerns go out the window. It’s about
feeling good, or rather great, and nothing more. It’s normal to become
more primal during intimacy, only worrying about pleasure and reward.
Oxytocin Is Released
Oh, yes! The cuddle/love hormone! After an orgasm, you brain releases
a whole boatload of hormones. One of which is oxytocin that creates
the need to cuddle and feel close to your partner. The cuddling effect
kicks in during this time when our brains release oxytocin, increasing
the physical desire for closeness and bonding.
The Hippocampus and Amygdale Light Up
The amygdale is a highly emotional area. It’s responsible for sexual
functioning, fear and aggression. The hippocampus, which is
responsible for long-term memory making, starts bringing forward our
fantasies and desires, activated by the surrounding sensations, candle
light, smell of perfume. If you want to truly heighten the experience
and take it to a new level, you want to really set the mood. Whatever
the mood means to you and your partner.
It Relaxes Our Decision-Making and Problem-Solving
While this is going on, we start to feel bolder and more confident;
insecurities start to slip away thanks to our lateral orbit frontal cortex.
The orbit frontal cortex controls our decision-making, so it’s because of
the effect that the orgasm has on this part of our brain that our
decision-making drops from our priority list.
Pain Tolerance Is Increased
The anterior cingulate cortex and insular cortex light up during a sexual
experience. These areas of the brain, during sex, inhibit pain sensations.
What this means is that tolerance for pain is increased, hence the
reason those engaged in sub/dom sex can withstand more in the
moment than they might otherwise.
For example, an individual will be
less sensitive to pain from spanking or biting during sex when their
pleasure is heightened. When our bodies are overcome with pleasure,
it dulls the pain sensations. This is why when you’re in clothing and not
expecting it and someone slaps your butt, it can really hurt even if you
enjoy impact toys intimately.
Muscle Tension Is Increased
There is a reason things tense up and your face contorts. The
cerebellum increases, which increases your muscle tension and adds a
grimace to our face when we orgasm. The cerebellum is in charge of
motor functioning which are connected to large nerves that run up your
body to the spinal cord, so this causes neuromuscular tensions, which is
emotional, physical, or mental stress that affects the nerves and
muscles.
Your Brain, Like Your Body, Feels A Build Up Of Sensations
You may think your flushed face and heavy breathing is from all the
work you’re doing, but it’s actually a physical response to your body
reaching climax. There is a buildup in your brain and body until we
reach climax. You feel your heart rate increase and start to breathe
heavier, your face gets flushed.
Your Brain Slows Down
While you may not have a little death, your brain will slow down. Once
you orgasm, there is a slowdown in the brain. The hypothalamus, which
controls motor functioning which is connected to large nerves that run
up and down your body to the spinal cord, releases hormones two
hormones, oxytocin and serotonin which can cause, contractions in our
uterus, the after-feeling of orgasm. Post orgasm, we might feel happy,
relaxed and even sleepy.
Your Brain Wants More
An orgasm will have your brain wanting more, thanks to all those mood
boosting endorphins that you make you like you’ve been rewarded.
During sex, the nucleus releases a hormone, dopamine which is associated with feelings of euphoria, bliss, and motivation. It’s like a
drug: You want more, like chocolate, it increases your desire for more.
Our Brain Gets a Ping
It all starts with genital stimulation. When your genitals are stimulated,
they’ll send a signal to your brain’s limbic system waking your
emotional centers of the brain. The limbic is a network of nerves and
systems in the brain, controlling instinct and mood, basic emotions like
fear, pleasure, anger and drives hunger, sex, dominance, care of
offspring. So, all you need is a little touching and feeling to get things in
your brain moving.
Your Brain Is Ready For a Siesta
After sex, as the brain cools down, your genital stimulation decreases,
and sexual interest levels off as an after-effect of the rush of hormones.
By this point, not only is your body done and ready to nap it off, but so
is your brain.
However, scientists are still not 100 percent sure why we have orgasms.
There are many hypotheses on the biological purpose for orgasms
including curating strong bonds or being the reward center for the act
of creating offspring. Regardless of the reason for our ability to orgasm,
the act itself is known for its wellness benefits. Research suggestions
euphoria and dopamine rush rewards associated with sex is known
provide wellness to our brains by increasing blood flow across the
brain. So orgasms are good for you mind and body, so you should be
having as many as possible. Whether that means with a partner or by
yourself.