Episode 370: The Science of Sexual Pleasure

Feb 11, 2025

Candice Nicole Hargons, an award-winning Associate Professor at Emory University and author of 'Good Sex,' joins to explore the diverse dimensions of sexual pleasure. She discusses the common barriers to experiencing pleasure and why gender expectations differ significantly. Listeners learn about the importance of communication in enhancing intimacy and the evolving nature of sexual satisfaction. Tips for fostering a more satisfying sex life are shared, emphasizing self-worth and the significance of laughter in pleasure.

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Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

Essential Tips for a Successful Threesome Experience

02:03 • 4min

Navigating Pleasure and Safety in Sexual Experiences

06:17 • 4min

Understanding Sexual Pleasure

09:56 • 11min

Evolving Perspectives on Sexual Pleasure and Self-Discovery

20:54 • 2min

Evolving Pleasure: Communication and Intimacy

22:42 • 14min

Embracing Worthiness in Sexual Pleasure

37:04 • 3min

How do you define sexual pleasure? For some people, it simply means orgasm. But orgasm isn’t the only way we derive pleasure from sex! In this episode, we’re going to dive into the many and varied forms of sexual pleasure that exist, common barriers to experiencing pleasure, and how to get more pleasure from sex. We’ll also discuss tips for cultivating a more satisfying sex life.

I am joined once again by Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons, an award-winning Associate Professor at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, where she studies sexual wellness and liberation. With over 70 published articles, Dr. Hargons has made substantial contributions to the field. Her debut book titled, Good Sex, is now in print.

Some of the specific topics we explore include:

What all does sexual pleasure entail?
What holds us back from experiencing sexual pleasure?
Why don’t women have the same expectations of sexual pleasure as men?
How is sexual satisfaction different from sexual pleasure?
What are some of the factors that affect whether individual feel satisfied with their sex lives?

You can check out Candice’s website to learn more about her work.

Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology.

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The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University has been a trusted source for scientific knowledge and research on critical issues in sexuality, gender, and reproduction for over 75 years. Learn about more research and upcoming events at kinseyinstitute.org or look for them on social media @kinseyinstitute.

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