http://ask.metafilter.com/tags/neurochemical Questions tagged with 'neurochemical' at Ask MetaFilter. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:46:54 -0800 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:46:54 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://ask.metafilter.com/100751/What%2Dbiologically%2Dcauses%2Dthe%2Dpleasure%2Dassociated%2Dwith%2Dan%2Dorgasm What are the underlying processes occurring during an orgasm that are the biological causes of the pleasurable sensation we associate with it? Is the sensation of orgasm a function of the nervous system, or is it something neurochemical in the brain, or both, or neither? Is the reason that certain masturbatory and/or sexual acts feel good because of nerve concentration in the erogenous areas, or is it something different or more in nature? I'm primarily interested in answers relating to the male orgasm ... as I expect the male orgasm and the female orgasm may have different biological processes given the different anatomy?<br> <br> And just to ward off any wisenheimers, I obviously understand the idea of Act A produces Obvious Biological Result B and Happy Sensation C. What I'm curious about is the underlying medical process behind that equation. tag:ask.metafilter.com,2008:site.100751 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:46:54 -0800 biological masturbation medical nerves nervoussystem neurochemical orgasm penis resolved sex sexual WCityMike