A Sexologist Explains How Full-Body Orgasms Come from the Sympathetic Nervous System

We often hear that our brains are our biggest sex organ. And, as a sexologist and sex journalist, I can tell you that this is absolutely true.

The brain is a non-negotiable player in getting turned on and experiencing orgasm. Yet, the role of the brain in sexuality is far more complicated than you might think. Your brain and body work in tandem, sending signals to each other during arousal. It is an ever-flowing communication system that needs to be tended to, cared for, and treated gently.

Otherwise, you can’t have those full-body orgasms you crave.

Read: How To Have A Full Body Orgasm

That’s right. Without the female body completely engaged in its highest potential for pleasure, total and complete orgasmic release is basically impossible. Is your interest piqued? Perhaps this freaks you out a little? That’s OK.

Let’s take a look at the response center to better understand what the hell is going on: Enter the Autonomic Nervous System. This collection of nerves is hugely impactful in sex. Without it, we’d be screwed (and not in a good way).

What is the ANS?

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) has a big job: It runs much of the involuntary stuff your body does, such as temperature regulation, respiration (aka: breathing), and controlling blood pressure. The ANS contains two subparts: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems (PNS) work in opposing, but complementary, ways. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for increasing involuntary bodily actions, like breathing, heart rate, etc, whereas the parasympathetic nervous system works on the opposing responses: slowing heart rate, calming breathing, and bodily relaxation.

To put it really simply: The SNS says, “ON!” and the PNS says, “OFF!”

How the ANS Plays Into Arousal (or Lack Thereof)

In Vagina by author Naomi Wolf, she takes time to explore the extremely complex and interwoven parts of female sexual arousal. Particularly, the vital role the Autonomic Nervous System plays in female sexual arousal.

The brain affects the ANS, which then affects the body. This is why when you’re taking a hot bath and think of that one time your partner went down on you while using a stainless steel dildo inside of your vagina can leave you wet and wanting without the slightest physical touch. Conversely, the vulva, clitoral complex, and vagina can also feed into the ANS, which then speaks to the brain. As Wolf points out, it is a constant feedback loop.

The ANS manages many of the critical things connected to arousal and orgasm, such as respiration, blushing of the skin, and blood-flow to the genitals. The blood-flow to your genitals signals the vagina to get wet.

Read: 31 Fascinating Facts About Orgasm

The SNS and PNS controls that pesky “flight or fight” response cycle, as well as the opposing relaxation response. When you relax, the ANS begins to heal your body from the wear and tear of everyday life.

In a sexier sense, when totally calmed, the ANS allows us the relaxation and full breadth of stimulation possible for female pleasure.

The SNS is a crucial part of whether you become aroused or if attempts at arousal are successful. This system is actually responsible for whether or not you respond positively or negatively to the erotic touch of a romantic partner. The SNS takes impulses and signals that travel from the vagina up to the brain for processing. Is this good or is this unwanted?

Calming the ANS

It’s important to understand that you cannot make the ANS do anything. You cannot control it. To calm it, you have to be in the right environment, with the right partner, and under the right sexual circumstances. Meaning: You need to be completely and totally comfortable and down to clown.

It is possible for female-bodied to go into another plane of reality when they orgasm, but you have to feel safe in order to relax into a transcendent state.