Description

The Science of Orgasm by Dr. Barry R. Komisaruk, Dr. Carlos Beyer-Flores and Dr. Beverly Whipple, 2006This unique book offers a thorough compilation of what modern science, from biomechanics to neurochemistry, knows about the secrets of orgasm. The three coauthors—neuroscientist Komisaruk, endocrinologist Beyers-Flores and sexuality researcher Whipple (coauthor of The G-Spot and Other Discoveries About Human Sexuality)—begin with a short overview of the role of hormones and the nervous system, as well as how the body changes during orgasm. Later chapters go into greater detail, describing the connection between the brain and genitals, and how various factors, from aging and physical condition to drugs, disorders and diseases, affect sexual response and orgasm. While some of the information is fairly common knowledge (the connection between antidepressants and reduced orgasmic response, for example), other topics, such as “phantom” orgasms in men and women with spinal cord injuries, orgasmic “auras” experienced by some epileptics and sexual response in transgendered individuals, provide fascinating glimpses into the complex and subtle interaction of brain and body in this most intimate and euphoric of states. The authors do a good job of keeping technical discussion at or near the layperson’s level, and an extensive bibliography provides a wealth of resources for further investigation of this intriguing topic. ContentsPreface  1. Definitions of Orgasm2. Different Nerves, Different Orgasmic Feelings3. Bodily Changes at Orgasm4. Are Orgasms Good for Your Health?5. When Things Go Wrong6. Diseases That Affect Orgasm7. How Aging Affects Orgasm8. Pleasure and Satisfaction with and without Orgasm9. The Nervous System Connection10. The Neurochemistry of Orgasm11. Effects of Medication12. Counteracting Medication Side Effects13. Recreational Stimulant Drugs and Orgasm14. Depressant Drugs and Orgasm15. Herbal Therapies16. Hormones and Orgasm17. Mechanism of Action of Sex Steroids18. Nonreproductive Hormones in Orgasm19. Atypical Orgasms20. The Genital-Brain Connection21. Orgasms after Brain Surgery or Brain Damage22. Imaging the Brain during Sexual Arousal and Orgasm23. The Cast of Characters How Brain Components Contribute to Orgasm24. Consciousness and OrgasmGlossaryReferencesIndex