What is orgasm? A model of sexual trance and climax via rhythmic entrainment.
Socioaffective neuroscience & psychology January 1, 2016 Adam Safron 56 citations
Orgasm remains poorly understood despite being one of the most intense pleasures. A new model proposes that sexual stimulation entrains mechanical and neural oscillatory systems, creating synchronized networks where positive feedback loops deepen sensory absorption and trance, potentially culminating in climax when critical thresholds are surpassed. Rhythmic stimulation and its modulation by salience are central to reaching these thresholds. Differences in orgasmic response between individuals or with different partners may serve as a mechanism for adaptive mate choice, as rhythmic stimulation combines honest fitness indicators with cues about potential investment, influencing the likelihood of continued sexual encounters with specific mates.