MRI brain with the OFC switched off for an orgasm
NASA / Wikimedia Commons

How orgasm hits your brain’s off switch

When we’re so turned on we orgasm, our brains are actually turned off in a major way. The latest brain scan research reveals what goes on in our brains when we date, have sex, and fall in love.

Why would parts of our brain literally shut down when we climax? It could be so that we can really let go of our inhibitions, say Dutch researchers who have studied the brain scans of young couples while they orgasm.

One area of the brain called the orbitofrontal cortex, or OFC, is involved in keeping things cool and under control. So it makes perfect sense that it turns off so that we can… well… totally lose control when we climax.

That’s true for both men and women, their research has shown. And although men’s and women’s brains look pretty similar during sex, there are some important differences, sexpert Dr Serge Stoleru told Love Matters at the World Congress for Sexual Health.

Faking it

In women, parts of the brain linked to fear and anxiety also get switched to off mode during an orgasm, the Dutch researchers found. All women know just how important it is to feel comfortable and relaxed, something which scientists can actually see in the brain.

But when the women in the study faked an orgasm, their brains didn’t shut down at all. Instead, areas that help control movement became active. So though women can be pretty great at pretending to climax, there’s something totally different going on in their brains.

Getting aroused

The OFC – the same area that turns off during an orgasm – is also pretty important when it comes to checking someone out, and getting aroused when we do, says Dr Stoleru. It gets revved up by testosterone in men and by estrogen in women.

During the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels are at their max right before ovulation. That helps explain why women might feel more aroused and up for sex at that time, since their OFC is more active than usual.

Animal love?

If we start dating the person we’re into, it can be next to impossible to keep our eyes off them. That intense attention we pay our sweetheart is thanks to the parietal cortex, a part of the brain that helps us focus on things around us, especially ones we desire.

Over time, if we fall in love, just seeing our partner’s face is enough to set off an area deep within our brains called the ventral tegmental area. Besides humans, all vertebrates, even fish, have this brain part in common, Dr Stoleru told Love Matters. So though romantic love is something we think only humans experience, who knows, maybe it’s something we share with others in the animal kingdom.


Have you felt parts of your brain shut down during sex? 😉 Share your experiences below or join the discussion on Facebook.

Image: Love Matters / NASA/Wikimedia Commons / Viktorus/Shutterstock

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Recent Comments (67)

    1. We are glad you agree,
      We are glad you agree, Kazungu!

    1. Haha, why is it scary,
      Haha, why is it scary, Charlynn?

    1. Hi Bravo,
      why’s that?

      Hi Bravo,
      why’s that?

    1. Share you relazation .. ? 😛
      Share you relazation .. ? 😛

  1. Is that really true I can’t
    Is that really true I can’t believe it

    1. Hi Carol,

      Hi Carol,
      why, is it really that absurd?

  2. my penis is small 4 nches
    my penis is small 4 nches when erect.i need advice coz i fear i cant satisfy my incoming gal

    1. Hi Dan,

      Hi Dan,
      don’t worry at all, your penis size is absolutely normal! As to regards of your future partner, most nerve endings are located at the entrance of the vagina, not towards the end, so the length of the penis isn’t all that important.
      Also, what is much more important to satisfying a woman is knowing where the clitoris is, and what to do with it. It’s a woman’s real erogenous hotspot: knowing about it is FAR more important than penis size will ever be!

  3. wow thank u can somebody
    wow thank u can somebody enlarge the penis

    1. Hi Dan,

      Hi Dan,
      yes, it is possible, but only with a very complicated surgery. All other methods, pills, lotions, pumps, will only cost you money without any effect.

    1. We are glad to hear you agree
      We are glad to hear you agree, Winnie!

  4. Absolutely true. I like your
    Absolutely true. I like your discusions, they aim at imroving my sex,love and life

    1. We are so glad to hear that,
      We are so glad to hear that, Harrun!

  5. I concur with the reseacher
    I concur with the reseacher,because during the act the lady makes alot of promises,calling you all sorts of names but later if you ask her about it she says i never said that

    1. Haha, that’s a bit awkward!
      Haha, that’s a bit awkward!

  6. What makes amans penis fall
    What makes amans penis fall while at the act??????

    1. Hi Jaroh,

      Hi Jaroh,
      do you mean losing your erection while having sex?

    1. And why would we be kidding,
      And why would we be kidding, GM?

  7. Altho’ i ejaculate one of my
    Altho’ i ejaculate one of my testical i very small.i there any possibility to me lack baby?

    1. Hi Stev,

      Hi Stev,
      is there any reason why it is small? Did you have an accident, or was it always like this? It shouldn’t affect your fertility. If you are concerned, please discuss it with a doctor.

  8. after ejaculation ,bloodflow
    after ejaculation ,bloodflow reduces in the the penis thereby becoming less stiff

    1. Hi Pierre,

      Hi Pierre,
      yep, and then you have what is called the refractory period, the period it takes to recover from the last erection.

  9. is it true dat if a man
    is it true dat if a man continous to erect after ejaculation then it is a sign of contracting an infection from the female. ?

  10. why do women fake ogarsim?
    why do women fake ogarsim?

    1. Hi Simby,

      Hi Simby,
      ah, a great question.
      To please their partners, to stop from feeling pain (when sex takes too long), or, because they simply have never had an orgasm and don;t want to disappoint or own up. There are probably 100 more reasons. What do you think?

  11. my gal ussually complains
    my gal ussually complains after sex that she feels pain, what cud be the cause

    1. Hi Ben,

      Hi Ben,
      it could be that she is not wet enough when you start having sex, or that the sex is a bit too rough. Use some extra lubricant and be gentle. If the problem persists, please let her see a doctor.

  12. Hi,do you think the brain
    Hi,do you think the brain shut down can affect mans masculinity and be at a risk of being outweighed in a fight by a female who has not yet orgasmed?

    1. Hi Alex,

      Hi Alex,
      no, we don’t think it will affect his masculinity. Your second question is really interesting- we don’t have a ready answer for it, but it’s definitely interesting to think about. What do you think?

    1. Yay! Happy to hear that!
      Yay! Happy to hear that!

  13. i lyk the discusion so much
    i lyk the discusion so much,just to ask…how long should the refractory period take?

    1. Anywhere between a few
      Anywhere between a few minutes and a few hours. It changes from man to man, and can be affected by all kind of things, like age- the older you get, the longer it will take. So make it count- when it comes to sex, quality is better than quantity.

  14. My wyf takes 2 long 2 reach
    My wyf takes 2 long 2 reach orgasm, is this normal ?

    1. Hi Learny,

      Hi Learny,
      shouldn’t the question be- I take too long to make my wife orgasm, what can I do? I suggest you take a look at this article: http://lovematters.co.ke/resource/vulva. Women need stimulation of the clitoris to orgasm, and the in-and-out of intercourse does little to stimulate it. So do it during foreplay- use your hands and mouth, or your penis to stimulate the clitoris. Also, the average woman needs about twenty minutes to get aroused, so don’t expect an orgasm within the first half an hour. Some come quicker, some need longer. Does this help?

  15. Hi.

    Hi.

    my man has a big penis and whenever we are doing sex i feel pain ,i do try my best to avoid going to his house ,advice me

    1. Ouch! Sorry to hear that. Try
      Ouch! Sorry to hear that. Try different positions, especially those where you are in charge of how deep he penetrates, like you on top of him. Try using extra lube, tell him to be gentle, and make sure to tell him when it’s painful. Sex needs to be enjoyable for both. And tell him about your pain- you need to find a solution together!

  16. realy true. how can she be
    realy true. how can she be satisfied..?

    1. Hi Prince Luke,

      Hi Prince Luke,
      Most women have trouble having an orgasm without the clitoris being stimulated. This has nothing to do with size of the penis, as the in-and out movement of sex alone won’t get enough clitoral stimulation. Check out this section to learn more about the clitoris, and stimulate it during foreplay and intercourse: http://lovematters.co.ke/resource/vulva

  17. Its true n thats why even
    Its true n thats why even when a couple differs,after having sex theyl forget abt their differences n feel closer again! I can also attest to that bit of pretence. Its also true!

    1. Thanks for sharing, Tina!
      Thanks for sharing, Tina!

  18. wat causes loosing erection
    wat causes loosing erection after first ejaculation?

    1. Hi there,

      Hi there,
      This is completely normal for men to have what is called a refractory period, where it cannot get hard after ejaculation. Honestly, your body is just telling you that it needs some time. There is no real way to change it or make it happen less, so just try to work with your body. If you are really hoping to have more sex, then take the time to recharge and focus on your partner. This is a good time to focus on them and give them pleasure. You will become hard again in no time and continue.

  19. how long does it take to
    how long does it take to recover erection after ejaculation

    1. Hi Ayah,

      Hi Ayah,
      Anywhere between a few minutes and a few hours. It changes from man to man, and can be affected by all kind of things, like age- the older you get, the longer it will take. So make it count- when it comes to sex, quality is better than quantity.

  20. I can fuck 3 ladies before
    I can fuck 3 ladies before switching off

    1. Eric,

      Eric,
      congratulations. Can you satisfy all of them, too?

  21. This explains why men and
    This explains why men and women who once have sex never forget each other and may be inseperable or may greatly hate each other upon betrayal and men may often kill for it.

    1. That’s interesting, thanks
      That’s interesting, thanks for mentioning it!

  22. premature is my problem, how
    premature is my problem, how can i stop it?

    1. Hi Bin,

      Hi Bin,
      It sounds like you are coming earlier than you would like, this often happens to young men who don’t have a lot of sexual experience because they get very aroused very easily. With more sexually experienced men, it might be due to psychological problems, like fear, stress or depression.
      Generally though go slow, enjoy the buildup of touching and caressing each other. Make time for oral sex during your physical interactions. Take time focusing on your partner as well as yourself. Communicate together about what feels nice, what doesn’t and what you would like to try together. Experiment, explore and try new things!
      Make sure to use lots of lube and switch up the fun. Even if you do orgasm you can take some time to have oral sex with your partner until your body is ready to go again. Change positions and mix it up.
      Some people say condoms help them last longer, while others may use cock rings (just make sure it is the right size and not too tight!).
      Generally just remember that sex is more than just penetration and there are lots of ways to enjoy each other.
      If you are finding that you really cannot maintain an erection then it might be time to see a doctor. There are some medical conditions that can affect your performance but would need to be looked by a professional.
      You can also keep masturbating, however challenge yourself to last longer. Go slow, feel the way your body changes when you are getting closer to climax. Tease yourself, find tricks that help you delay the finish.

  23. why is it that some woman
    why is it that some woman dont wet

    1. Hi Ininga,

      Hi Ininga,
      they are probably not fully aroused yet. Spend some more time on foreplay, or use extra lubrication to make up for the lack of natural wetness.

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