While we all know that an active love life is a source of fun and enjoyment, scientists have long been discovering its effects on our bodies. Studies have found that spending more time in the bedroom is connected with weight loss and even a lower risk of hypertension. Other studies, however, have explored the effects of intimacy on the brain.
As it turns out, a lot of processes go on in our brains during a heated session.
Male Stimulation and the Brain
According to research, penile stimulation positively affects the blood flow in our secondary somatosensory cortex and the posterior insula. These parts of our brain are linked to processing emotions and the sensations of warmth and pain.
Furthermore, penile stimulation also decreases the blood flow in the amygdala – a part of the brain linked to anxiety disorders.
Female Orgasm and the Brain
In women, the effects of intimacy on the brain are virtually the same. One 2017 study from the Rutgers University in Newark found that several parts of the brain were significantly activated when women reached an orgasm. All of these regions (more than five of them) play a role in processing emotions, as well as sensations of pain.
One study also found that the rhythmic simulation during sex can induce a trance-like state. This study compares the effects that the female orgasm has on the brain to those induced by music or dancing.
The Bottom Line
So, what are the effects of intimacy on the brain? It seems that both male and female satisfaction is linked to improved mood and pain management. Not only that, but it can also promote better sleep and put us in a trance-like state of pleasure.
