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What are the distinct neurochemical components of sexual pleasure?

Biology Asked by DJG on November 19, 2020

Sexual activity is usually described as pleasurable.

What neurochemical systems does sex activate? Does the presence or absence of a partner make a difference — say, in the activation of the oxytocin system?

Undoubtedly, sexual activity is salient, and so it surely involves dopamine. (Salient activities, whether painful or pleasurable, activate the dopaminergic system.)

What about these systems:

  • adrenergic
  • gabaergic
  • cannabinoid
  • nicotinic
  • opioid
  • serotonergic
  • cholinergic
  • glycinergic
  • histaminergic
  • glutaminergic

2 Answers

Sexual response is primarily related to nitric oxide and its products. All of the systems you mentioned play a role, however the core pathway is from touch stimuli, to oxytocin release, to nitric oxide and dopamine accumulation, to motor response (orgasm) followed by prolactin to counteract said neurochemicals and temporarily suppress sexual response.

Answered by liu on November 19, 2020

Sex gives you dopamine, oxytocin, adrenaline, and endorphins.

Answered by 4D Neuron on November 19, 2020

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