The Brain's Amygdala Becomes Less Active During Orgasm
Sexual pleasure activates different parts of the brain than fear; it is no wonder that the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing fear, activity is reduced during orgasm. Researchers have shown this using fMRI scans of people having orgasms while watching pornography, showing that the area lights up less during orgasm than during anticipation. This means that when you feel threatened or anxious, your body is responding differently to pleasure, which helps explain why people can get turned on even though they are afraid. The brain's ability to switch between emotions may be related to the brain's reward system, which releases dopamine in response to pleasurable stimuli such as food, drugs, and sex. Dopamine also plays a role in motivating behaviors like eating and procreation.
When someone has an orgasm, their brains release oxytocin, a hormone known to promote bonding and trust. Oxytocin is often referred to as the "cuddle" hormone because it makes people want to snuggle after sex. It can increase feelings of attachment and make them want to stay with their partner longer. Some studies suggest that women experience more intense orgasms than men, but researchers do not know if the difference is due to biology or socialization. In other words, it may simply be that women receive less sexual education about how to reach orgasm than men do. Other theories propose that the clitoris, which many women need to climax, provides less physical satisfaction than penetrative intercourse does for men, who can orgasm through masturbation alone. There is also evidence that the G-spot, a sensitive spot inside the vagina, could provide additional satisfaction for some women.
The amygdala is one of several parts of the limbic system responsible for processing emotion; others include the hippocampus (memory), hypothalamus (body temperature regulation), and prefrontal cortex (executive function). The limbic system sends information throughout the body, including the endocrine system, and influences our behavior by releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.
When we feel threatened, our heart rate increases, and we may start sweating or trembling. When we are aroused, blood flow to our genitals increases, making us sexually attractive to potential partners. Our brains process this information and decide what to do next: fight, flee, freeze in place, or mate. These decisions happen automatically without conscious thought. Orgasm is an extreme form of pleasure, so it makes sense that the brain would shut off other processes during it.
Sexual pleasure releases dopamine into the brain's reward system, activating the nucleus accumbens, which controls motivation and reinforcement learning. This means that the more pleasurable something feels, the more likely people will seek it out again in the future. Sexual pleasure can even become addictive, leading to compulsive sexual behaviors such as pornography use disorder, which involves excessive viewing of sexual media despite negative consequences on health, relationships, and daily life. This is often related to a lack of social support and intimacy, so seeking out companionship rather than pleasure could help alleviate these problems.
The amygdala plays an essential role in processing fear, so when it becomes less active, we might feel less scared. Orgasms are also accompanied by increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, which regulates attention and decision-making. The combination of reduced fear and increased focus means that during orgasm, we may be more open to new experiences and ideas than usual. It could explain why some people have profound insights after sex, while others simply fall asleep!
The brain's ability to switch between emotions may be critical for our survival because it helps us respond appropriately to threats and opportunities.