HEALING WITH SEXUAL ENERGYSex for Health, Relationships and SpiritualityBy Walter LastSex, or rather sexual energy, is a potent force in regard to our health, intimaterelationships and spirituality, but the extent of this is rarely realized.Fortunately we can now understand much of the prevailing dynamics due to recentadvances in the neurochemistry of the brain. The observed effects can partly beexplained with biochemistry and partly with bioenergetics.THE NEUROCHEMISTRY OF SEXOrgasm is generally regarded as the ultimate goal of recreational sex. WilhelmReich was the first scientist to describe the nature and purpose of the orgasm asa discharge of excess bio-energy with the additional liberation of feeling energy,and he also recognized the negative consequences of blocked sexual energies.Unfortunately, in addition to exciting peaks, orgasms tend to produce powerfulnegative side-effects that are only now becoming better understood. This is due topredictable trends in hormonal activity which seem to be similar in all mammals toensure certain evolutionary objectives, especially the wide mixing of gene poolsand the safe raising of offspring. This is achieved with the followingneurochemical changes.The main players are dopamine, the reward hormone; prolactin, the hormone ofsatiation; oxytocin, the cuddle hormone, and levels of androgen receptors, whichall powerfully affect our mood, our desire for intimacy, our perception of ourmate, as well as our susceptibility to addictive activities and substances. Thesehormones can also have different but generally related functions.Additionally the stimulant phenylethylamine (PEA) is involved, which is alsopresent in cocoa and chocolate and elevates energy, mood and attention. PEA isproduced in greater amounts when one is in love; conversely a deficiency (commonin manic-depressives) causes unhappy feelings.When we first fall in love we become bonded by rising PEA, oxytocin and dopaminelevels When we are sexually aroused by close contact our dopamine level risesfurther and at the time of orgasm we have a dopamine brainstorm which oneresearcher compared to the effects of heroin on the brain. Dopamine is active inall addictions, even in people who have forgotten what sex is. Most of thisactivity is in the limbic system, the oldest part of the brain.Dopamine LevelsExcessDeficient"Normal"AddictionsAddictionsMotivatedAnxietyDepressionFeelings of well-being, satisfactionCompulsionsAnhedonia - no pleasure, world looks colorlessPleasure, reward inaccomplishing tasksSexual fetishesLack of ambition and driveHealthy libidoSexual addictionInability to "love”Good feelings toward othersUnhealthy risk-taking Low libidoHealthy bondingGamblingErectile dysfunctionHealthy risk takingCompulsive activitiesNo remorse about personal behaviorSound choicesAggressionADD/ADHDRealistic expectationsPsychosisSocial anxiety disorderMaternal/Paternal loveSchizophrenia Antisocial behavior(From http://www.reuniting.info/science/sex_and_addiction) After orgasm dopamine levels fall sharply with the usual withdrawal symptoms. Thisreaction tends to be immediate in males and delayed in females. Also prolactinlevels rise, and androgen receptors fall after orgasm. Low testosterone isassociated with irritability and anger. In sexually-satiated rats it has beenshown that serotonin and endorphin levels also rise, and this also decreasesdopamine and raises prolactin levels. Oxytocin levels fall after conventionalorgasm but remaining in close contact may help to counter this drop and sustainoxytocin levels.