Rena Malik, MD Podcast: Optimizing Health, Sex & Relationships with Science Backed Tips from Leading Experts How Good Sex (vs. Bad Sex) Shapes your Brain
Aug 8, 2025
In this engaging discussion, neuroscientists Dr. Nicole Prause, who debunks myths surrounding sexual addiction, and Dr. Jim Pfaus, a leader in understanding pleasure pathways in the brain, dive into the real neuroscience behind sexual pleasure. They explore how early sexual experiences shape our brain, explain why dopamine dips during orgasm, and reveal the vital role of cuddling post-intimacy in strengthening relationships. They also challenge the impacts of pornography and advocate for a more accepting approach to sexual education.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Early Pleasure Imprints Preferences
- Our first sexual experiences create a lasting template for what we find attractive.
- Jim Pfaus explains that pleasurable first encounters sensitize reward and bonding systems.
Brain Patterns Can Be Rewritten
- Sexual preferences and responses remain adaptable throughout life and can change with new positive experiences.
- Jim Pfaus and Dr. Rena D Malik emphasize you can reshape expectations by creating better sexual experiences.
Touch Trumps Screen Stimulation
- Direct human touch produces far greater brain activation than viewing pornography.
- Nicole Prause notes touching one's genitals or partner magnifies physiological responses many-fold.