8 Bizarre Things Science Has Taught Us About Sex
7. Orgasms Make You Less Self-Conscious
In the same way getting your groove on makes you feel less disgusted, it also makes you feel less disgusting.
During an orgasm, the lateral orbitofrontal cortex takes a cheeky holiday. This part of the brain, just behind the left eye, is associated with self-evaluation, reasoning and self-consciousness, and so by briefly shutting down it allows you to be completely in the moment.
This occurs in both men and women, but the ladies also get another helping hand. During sexual arousal, activity in a woman's amygdala and hippocampus will decrease; these areas are part of the limbic system and are associated with fear and stress responses.
It has also be observed that the periaqueductal gray (PAG) actually gets fired up in the aroused female brain. This part of the brain is associated with pain suppression and in involved in Lordosis behaviour, or "presenting", as well as having a "taming" effect on the female, making them more submissive and docile.
So your brain is effectively drugging you into sex, which is kinda sinister.
This is ultimately a good thing, though, as it allows you to feel relaxed and happy during sex, so there's that.