The Science Behind An Orgasm
- Posted on
- By L
We have them- but why exactly?
Frequent flyers and fanfiction writers alike have had this thought- what is physically happening when someone has an orgasm? If you were to walk through the order of operations within the body that lead to an orgasm, what would be included in those steps?
An orgasm, as we are probably familiar, is the sudden release of built-up sexual tension controlled by the nervous system, marked by rhythmic muscle contractions, a surge of brain chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin, and a deep state of physical relaxation.
THE PHYSICAL RESPONSE
Nerve stimulation: Physical touch activates high-density nerve endings in the genital areas (such as the clitoris or prostate/penis), sending electrical signals up the spinal cord to the brain.
Arousal buildup: Heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing speed up as blood flows heavily into the pelvic region.
Muscle spasms: The pelvic floor muscles, uterus, or base of the penis contract rhythmically and involuntarily every 0.8 seconds for about 10 to 30 seconds.
BRAIN/HORMONAL ACTIVITY
Brain activation: Brain imaging shows that over 30 different parts of the brain light up during climax, activating the brain's reward and pleasure centers (like the limbic system).
Control center shutdown: Parts of the brain responsible for fear, anxiety, and critical judgment (like the amygdala and prefrontal cortex) temporarily quiet down or "switch off," creating a feeling of total release and loss of control.
Chemical release: The brain releases a powerful wave of feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters, including dopamine (for reward and pleasure), oxytocin (for bonding), and endorphins (for euphoria and natural pain relief).
THE COOLDOWN
Calming down: The parasympathetic nervous system takes over after the climax, slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure back to normal.
Sleepiness: A final release of hormones like prolactin and serotonin promotes deep physical relaxation, contentment, and sometimes sleepiness.
So there you have it! And you finally know why your partner always passes out after sex. Hopefully now your Omegaverse Mafia AU BTS fanfiction can include science-accurate descriptions of an orgasm.
Happy writing!