You may have heard of the different places on the body which, when stimulated, can add to sexual pleasure, but did you know that the brain is actually the largest erogenous zone in the body? That’s why it can be helpful—and interesting—to learn about the way sex interacts with your brain and nervous system, to better understand your own body. Through our limited understanding of how the brain functions, we have found some understanding of its interaction with sex and other activities and experiences that can stimulate similar reactions.
There are many sections of the brain that are influenced by sexual activity. During the initial erotic response, in which blood flows down to the genital area and internal stimulation begins, people with male and female genitals experience different brain activity. Those with penises experience increased activity in the insula and the somatosensory cortex, which relate to sensory perceptions and survival needs. Those with labias also have increased activity in the insula, but also in a few more brain regions. Increased brain activity occurs in the prefrontal cortex and the orbitofrontal cortex, which are connected to cognitive processes and decision-making. It also occurs in the cingulate gyrus, which regulates emotional response and behavior, and the cerebellum, which controls motor function.
This distinction is interesting; anthropologists and evolutionary scholars would likely connect it to the difference between early male and female sexual strategy, wherein males are able to reproduce frequently and with many partners, while females must be more selective because they can only reproduce about once a year, less frequently than many other species.
During sex, the lateral orbitofrontal cortex, which controls logical reasoning, completely shuts down as a method of directing focus towards achieving orgasm and limiting interrupting thoughts or emotional responses. As a person reaches orgasm, more parts of the brain are activated. At this point, the genital sensory cortex gets involved, increasing the perception of sensations like touch and temperature, and the thalamus works to send these signals. The hypothalamus is also stimulated, which has many functions but namely activates the pituitary gland, which releases hormones. Finally, the motor areas and substantia nigra are engaged, which control movement in the body.
Sexual activity, and specifically orgasm, also impact the central nervous system through the release of hormones. Oxytocin which is commonly referred to as the “cuddle hormone” is released during sex and has many positive benefits to the body. It is known to decrease pain sensation, relieve headaches and cramps, and lower stress by offsetting the cortisol levels in the body. There is a surge of oxytocin released during orgasm, but physical intimacy as a whole produces it. Next, dopamine is released during orgasm, which creates a positive emotional response in the body. Serotonin is also produced, namely following the orgasm, which promotes relaxation and may be connected to the feeling of sleepiness following sex. Finally, prolactin is released in the body, which is beneficial to sleep but is also a critical hormone in milk production for those who lactate!
There are several effects of this brain activity and hormonal releases in sex. One benefit is decreased stress and anxiety, caused by the release of oxytocin. Another is increased brain function during the aging process. For biologically male people, studies have shown that older folks who are sexually active have a generally better cognitive function. For biologically female people, studies have shown that they have better memory recall long-term. For this reason, you may want to consider gently reminding your loved ones to include some sexual stimulation in their lives. (Vibrators make great holiday gifts.) Additionally, incorporating the best supplements for brain health can further support cognitive function and well-being.
With the surge of hormones released into the body during and after sex, an addictive feeling can manifest in which the body is constantly seeking to replicate this feeling. The evolutionary cause of this is likely to encourage people to continue having sex, which in some cases can lead to growing the species. Overall, sexual stimulation increases blood flow to the brain, which is proven to increase healthy brain function long-term and can lead to quicker memory recall and improved cognition. So, a roll in the sheets a day may very well keep the doctor away.
Even if your holiday season is looking a little less Love Actually and a little more Home Alone you can still get some of the great benefits of brain-stimulating sex. The obvious option here is masturbation, which can definitely give you all of this brain activity and hormone release, but there are other unconventional options too. Research suggests that music and dancing produce similar brain activity, so put on your all-time favorite album and have a dance party at home! Eating your favorite foods can work too, like in that Ratatouille scene where Remy bites the fruit and cheese together—Brain scans have shown that this scene is actually pretty similar to the neural connections your brain makes.
By Sydney Sullivan