New publications
Scientists have recorded a woman's brain activity during orgasm for the first time (video)
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Scientists from Rutgers University, New Jersey (USA), for the first time recorded a woman's brain activity during orgasm. The recording was made over five minutes using functional magnetic resonance imaging.
The researchers presented their findings at the annual Neuroscience Symposium in Washington, DC.
The videos show the development of brain activity during periods of sexual arousal, orgasm itself, and recovery.
Study author Professor Barry Komisaruk said: "We can see a pattern of activation in the areas of the brain that are responsible for the development of orgasm."
Co-author of the study, sexologist Nan Wiese, said: "When I first started my PhD in the 1980s we didn't have these types of research methods. Now we can look at how different areas of the brain are activated to produce orgasm. It's a fantastic opportunity to explore how different parts of the brain interact. I think this study confirms that sexuality is a very complex process."
The aim of the study was to identify the mechanisms behind the inability to achieve orgasm in individuals of different sexes.
The animation film - made up of a series of shots taken at two-second intervals - shows how 80 different areas of the brain (40 on each side) are involved in the onset of orgasm. The film uses colours from different spectra - from deep red to white - to show the oxygen activity of different parts of the brain. When orgasm is achieved, almost the entire brain turns yellow or white. Early in the film, you can see that the genital areas of the sensory cortex are the first to become active - this is a response to touch in the genital area. Then the limbic system - the part of the brain responsible for long-term memory and emotions - comes into play.
At the moment of reaching orgasm, the cerebellum and frontal cortex are significantly activated - this is the result of muscle tension. The peak of reaching orgasm corresponds to the activation of the hypothalamus, which secretes oxytocin - a chemical substance that causes pleasure.
The method developed will help to understand how brain activity changes and, perhaps, ultimately, improve symptoms associated with pain, depression and anxiety.
"We use orgasm as a way to experience pleasure. If we can learn how to activate the pleasure areas of the brain, we might be able to apply this knowledge more widely," the study's authors say.
[