6 things that feel just as good as sex

May 09, 2017 09:40 IST rediffmail.com

Meditation has the same effect on our brains as sex.

An orgasm is a sexual event, which is attained at the culmination of a sexual activity.

However, not all orgasms are derived from sexual activity.

There are other activities, beyond sex, that also give the same feeling as an orgasm.

1. Meditation

You will be surprised to note that meditation has the same effect on our brains as sex. In both cases, there is a rush of blood to the pre-frontal area of the brain.

Sex and meditation both lead us to a state of bliss and lack of self awareness.

We become immune to our thoughts, desires, worries, pain and other worldly feelings.

The only difference between a sexual orgasm and a meditation led one is that while the former gives us physical delight, the latter is spiritual in experience.

2. Coregasms

Orgasms can also be achieved by non-sexual and non-meditative activity.

Research suggests that 40 per cent of women experience orgasms during crunches and workout like planks.

Twenty per cent of the women reported that they achieved orgasm at times when they were practicing yoga.

Some women reported experiencing sexual pleasure while horse riding, swimming and cycling. This probably has to do with blood rushing to the pelvic areas while doing these exercises.

3. Delivering a child

Many women have been reported to experience sexual pleasure during the childbirth process.

Gynaecologist Dr Christiane Northrup says that the childbirth process stimulates the same spots that would be activated during sexual intercourse.

A lot of beta-endorphins, prolactin and oxytocin are released during delivery, which give the new mothers a sexual-orgasm like experience.

4. Sleepgasms

A study published in 1953 revealed that 37 per cent women had orgasms in their sleep.

It is conjectured that there may be an increased flow of blood in the pelvic area during the REM of the eye when women are asleep.

This phenomenon, when combined with your brain being shut down, can result in an orgasm.

Women don't have to manually stimulate their genitals to achieve an orgasm; another study confirmed that in some cases, the brain itself generates an orgasm.

5. Sneezing

Live Science has once reported that sneezing has a similar effect on our genitals as sexual intercourse.

In both the cases, a lot of endorphins are generated, making our genitals erect and sensitive. However, nothing definite can be said about this study.

6. Great bargains

TheUniversity of Michigan concluded that when consumers got a steal deal, their faces lit up in exactly the same manner as in having great sex.

MRIs and face recognition software confirm that a particular part of the brain becomes most active when consumers get a great bargain or when they are having great sex.