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Electroencephalographic laterality changes during human sexual orgasm

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Abstract

Left and right parietal EEGs were recorded while seven subjects experienced sexual climax through self-stimulation. EEG data were quantified by continuous cumulated measurements of the integrated areas of EEG recording during successive 1-sec epochs. In eight out of 12 experiments, this measure revealed a statistically significant change in laterality. Controlled replications with two of the original subjects obviated the possibility that two potential sources of artifact (hand used for masturbation and gross body movements) accounted for the changes. While previous research has focused on vasomotor and myotonic indices of sexual response, this study demonstrates the significance of brain phenomena in sexual orgasm.

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Supported by a General Research Support Grant from CMDNJ-Rutgers Medical School (No. 27-1987 to R. Rosen).

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Cohen, H.D., Rosen, R.C. & Goldstein, L. Electroencephalographic laterality changes during human sexual orgasm. Arch Sex Behav 5, 189–199 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01541370

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