In this engaging conversation, Dr. Nan Wise, a neuroscientist and author of "Why Good Sex Matters," dives deep into the brain's role in sexuality and pleasure. She discusses how stress and mental health impact sexual experiences, emphasizing the importance of self-care and genuine desire. Dr. Wise explores the neurochemistry of bonding, explaining how oxytocin and dopamine contribute to pleasure. She also examines the effects of technology on relationships and advocates for prioritizing healthy pleasures over societal pressures.
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Origin of Interest
Dr. Nan Wise's interest in the brain stemmed from her personal experience with anxiety and panic attacks in her early 20s.
She wanted to understand how to navigate her nervous system and shift from anxiety to pleasure.
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Anhedonia's Role
Anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure, is a significant underlying issue in various mental and physical health challenges.
It's not only a symptom but also a contributing factor to these conditions.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Path to Neuroscience
Dr. Wise's early interest in brain research was hindered by the invasive nature of animal studies.
She pursued social work and sex therapy before returning to neuroscience with fMRI technology.
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Why Good Sex Matters explores the neuroscience of pleasure, explaining how our brain's emotional systems impact sexual experiences and overall well-being. It delves into the interplay of various brain systems, such as the seeking, care, and play systems, and how their balance affects our capacity for pleasure. The book provides practical tools and techniques to enhance sexual satisfaction and emotional regulation. It emphasizes the importance of understanding our emotional responses and harnessing our internal resources to achieve a more fulfilling life. Ultimately, it promotes a holistic approach to well-being, connecting emotional health with sexual satisfaction.
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Sex, pleasure and orgasm are influenced by numerous parts of our lives - biological, social and psychological - but what happens in our brain when we fantasise, experience desire or orgasm? And how do experiences like stress and anxiety interrupt our sex lives on a brain and body level? Neuroscientist, author and researcher Dr Nan Wise unpacks what she has seen in her research using fMRI brain scans, and goes onto explain how the different parts of our lives can work with and against each other to boost or hinder sexual experiences, and what we can to do help. She talks about the role that pleasure plays across our lives, and discusses how our ability to experience healthy pleasures--those that feel good and are good for us-- are not a luxury, but a necessity for overall well-being.
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Dr. Nan Wise is a certified sex therapist, certified relationship specialist, neuroscience researcher, and author of Amazon best seller Why Good Sex Matters: Understanding the Neuroscience of Pleasure for a Smarter, Happier, and More Purpose-Filled Life. Driven by the desire to understand how the brain operates to create moods and behaviours, she returned to academia and completed her Ph.D. in 2014. Her dissertation work, Genital stimulation, imagery, and orgasm in women: an fMRI analysis, resulted in three published studies. Her research has addressed gaps in the scientific literature regarding the neural basis of human sexuality, and as a result, garnered international attention.
Follow Dr Nan on Instagram at @AskDoctorNan and read her Glamour column Ask Dr. Nan here
The Sexual Wellness Sessions 