120). Together these chemicals control and boost the sexual experience. It should be noted, that while dopamine dominates the desires of wanting to have sex it is another group of chemicals that govern enjoyment. Opioids are the brains equivalent of morphine and endorphins. Dopamine may propel the behavior but the opioids are necessary for experiencing orgasm. During orgasm, opioids boost the reward circuit to add to the effect of dopamine. In the orgasmic phase, the body releases a shot of dopamine. However, after orgasm dopamine, levels fall precipitously and individuals lose interest in sexual encounters of a time. As levels of dopamine fall, prolactin and oxytocin levels increase. Oxytocin levels increase for a short period after orgasm and produces the bonding effect (Allchin, 2011). Prolactin functions as a dopamine suppressor. It halts the action of dopamine and brings the body back to a normal level. This marks the beginning of the resolution phase.

Additionally during the resolution phase, enkephalins levels become elevated in the brain and hypothalamus. These opioids are demonstrated to prevent the action of oxytocin; this limiting of oxytocin action may decrease the feelings of satisfaction. It should be noted that opioids produces different effects in variant sections of the brain. Where they...

This is the basic manner in which the cycle occurs, however, each individuals experience is different.
The differences are contingent upon personal sensitivity to neurochemicals, the nature of the interaction between the partners and other factors. Dopamine remains the major neurochemical that is responsible for the push toward sexual interaction. Bolstered by a cocktail of other chemicals the physical is transformed into the chemical. Thus, the brain becomes the seat of sexual interaction and not the organs themselves. If the chemicals were absent, sex would not be pleasurable.

References

Allchin, D. The Domesticated Gene. The American Biology Teacher, 73(2):120-123.

Coad, J., Dunstall, M., & McCandlish, R. (2005). Anatomy and physiology for midwives.

Philadelphia: Elsevier.

Robinson, M. & Wilson, G. (2005). Your brain on sex. Retrieved from http://www.reuniting.info/science/sex_in_the_brain

Zimmer, C. (2009). The brain, where does sex live in the brain: From top to bottom. Retrieved from http://discovermagazine.com/2009/oct/10-where-does-sex-live-in-brain-from-top-

to-bottom/article_view-b_start:int=1&-C=