Contrary to popular belief, there is more than one good reason to have an orgasm. From better sleep, to pain relief, and of course, a little pep in your step – having regular orgasms is now regarded as a gentle panacea for a wide variety of complaints.
With every body and every orgasm completely unique (hint: there are up to 6 kinds of orgasms), everyone can harness sex magic in a way that is most significant, healing, and satisfying to them – and maybe even themselves alone.
Here at IMBIBE, we always say sex is a little like a choose-your-own-adventure, completely tailored to your needs, wants and desires in that moment (and always completely and utterly enhanced with a little V-Oil).
So what’s the nitty-gritty about the Big O? We’re getting into it … in more ways than one:
What is an Orgasm?
Pleasure seeking people will agree that the body can experience a variety of different orgasms, depending on which area of the body is being stimulated – which provides different levels of pleasure for different people.
Most experts agree that orgasms come in a variety of lengths, intensities and overall satisfaction. Although different erogenous zones can result in different quality orgasms, there are two types of female orgasms that are front-of-mind: vaginal (are deeper in the body and are usually accompanied by pulsations of the vaginal canal walls) and clitoral (felt on the surface of the body, like a tingly feeling along your skin, and in your brain).
Every orgasm doesn’t fit in a box, but can be generally summarised by what’s called the sexual response cycle.
Every orgasm doesn’t fit in a box, but can be generally summarised by what’s called the sexual response cycle, breaking every orgasm into four stages: anticipation, excitement, plateau and the big one, climax.
Feel Good Hormones
The common thread across all good orgasms is the flooding of intense pleasure hormones throughout the body and brain, every time:
Oxytocin: dubbed the ‘love hormone’, which facilitates feelings of love and attachment
Dopamine: known to trigger intense feelings of reward, desire, and pleasure
Endorphins: causing complete euphoria and stress reduction
Serotonin: the happy hormones, regulating mood, appetite, and sleep
Keeping hormones balanced is super important to your mood, immunity and reproductive health, and regulating your menstrual cycle is a critical component of balanced hormones. Read: How to Live in Alignment with Your Menstrual Cycle.
Four Reasons to Have an Orgasm
If we were writing prescriptions for health and happiness, we would start with the orgasm. And here are the four best reasons why:
01. Real Connections
Climaxing makes you connect. With yourself and with others. According to a 2016 study, it was found that orgasms had a heavy influence on building personal connections. This connection is driven by the flood of neurotransmitters released into the bloodstream and brain during climax.
Connection is the ultimate level of intimacy and can really enhance the sensation and pleasure of your orgasm. 10/10 recommend.
Connection is the ultimate level of intimacy and can really enhance the sensation and pleasure of your orgasm. 10/10 recommend.
02. Enhanced Sleep
When your body orgasms (as we mentioned above), it receives a surge of the hormone called oxytocin, the healing, pleasure, feel-good hormone. This rush of oxytocin helps to calm the nervous, reduce anxiety and create the perfect biological environment for the enhanced production of the sleep hormone, melatonin.
Melatonin ushers the body and brain into deep, relaxed, restful sleep… which we could certainly all use more of.
03. Confidence
Nothing speaks louder than unabashed confidence … and orgasms can help you get there. Knowing your body’s needs and wants (and fulfilling them) helps to establish a strong connection with yourself. And having a strong self-love game helps to up-the-ante on confidence and speaking up for what you want.
The more confident you feel with yourself, your body and your needs, the more confidently you’ll be able to connect with your partner and ask for what you need, in and out of the bedroom.
04. Reduce Stress
"The physical release after an orgasm can be tremendous, allowing the body to fully relax and be still," explains Dr. Phillips. "The coordinated breathing that occurs and focuses on orgasm helps redirect thoughts away from stress and towards pleasure. Orgasm releases dopamine (a type of pleasure chemical) which is a major neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and desire in the brain," she explains.
A 2013 study from the University of Munster in Germany, showed a link between sexual activity and headaches and migraines, with 60% of participants reporting an improvement of their migraine attack, and 70% of them reported moderate to complete relief, largely due to the release of feel-good hormones called endorphins during climax.
Another favourite way to reduce stress (and keep your libido going) is to incorporate Adaptogens into your daily routine. Find out more: What Adaptogens Are and Why You Need Them.
