Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: chris on 08/06/2017 08:12:53

Title: Why does an orgasm make me feel depressed?
Post by: chris on 08/06/2017 08:12:53
Andrew says:

Why do some of us (me, and a few male friends confessed this to me as well) feel kind of "blue" after an orgasm?

What does everyone think?
Title: Re: Why does an orgasm make me feel depressed?
Post by: smart on 10/06/2017 10:42:38
Since orgasms may cause massive releases of endorphins in the cerebral-spinal fluid (CSF), it is suggested that stimulation of endorphins can trigger a "runner high". This runner high is your body physiological response to decreased levels of stress.

See: http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/orgasms-and-endorphins
Title: Re: Why does an orgasm make me feel depressed?
Post by: Colin2B on 10/06/2017 12:36:54
it is suggested that stimulation of endorphins can trigger a "runner high". This runner high is your body physiological response to decreased levels of stress.

But the OP is asking why he feels depressed after orgasm, not high.
Article suggests if depression is latent and orgasm is a sought 'cure' then it might not be such a high.
Title: Re: Why does an orgasm make me feel depressed?
Post by: smart on 10/06/2017 13:01:33
it is suggested that stimulation of endorphins can trigger a "runner high". This runner high is your body physiological response to decreased levels of stress.

But the OP is asking why he feels depressed after orgasm, not high.
Article suggests if depression is latent and orgasm is a sought 'cure' then it might not be such a high.


Feeling kind of "blue" is subjective... I'm really skeptical about the poster description of "depression".
In general, a sexual orgasm may not affect the mood in negative ways.

Title: Re: Why does an orgasm make me feel depressed?
Post by: jeffreyH on 10/06/2017 16:20:01
Most of YOUR post are subjective. You don't want to be accused of hypocrisy do you?
Title: Re: Why does an orgasm make me feel depressed?
Post by: smart on 10/06/2017 16:28:22
Most of YOUR post are subjective. You don't want to be accused of hypocrisy do you?

You can accuse me of hypocrisy but for me feeling "blue" is vague and not well defined. My best bet is that the OP confused depression for a "runner high". 
Title: Re: Why does an orgasm make me feel depressed?
Post by: Colin2B on 10/06/2017 17:41:05
My best bet is that the OP confused depression for a "runner high". 

Not an easy one to confuse, unless you are used to highs making you feel blue  8)
Title: Re: Why does an orgasm make me feel depressed?
Post by: alancalverd on 11/06/2017 08:14:07
The phenomenon was noted by Claudius Galenus (200 AD)  triste est omne animal post coitum, praeter mulierem gallumque. Which means all animals are sad after sexual intercourse except for the rooster and women. However,  many women report similar feelings, which may say something about Galen's horizontal expertise or lack of same.

I suspect the cause is more to do with noradrenalin, or in the case of those less talented, disappointment.

The "Sunday morning" effect (hangover, stale sweat, stubbly face, tangled sheets, torn underwear, lipstick and whipped cream all over the place, "have we met before?"........you know the scene) is enough to turn some people to religion, apparently.
Title: Re: Why does an orgasm make me feel depressed?
Post by: smart on 11/06/2017 11:21:29
I believe there's a huge difference between feeling "blue" or "sad" and a mental depression. The latter requires medication and possibly psychotherapy.
Title: Re: Why does an orgasm make me feel depressed?
Post by: Colin2B on 12/06/2017 14:38:02
I believe there's a huge difference between feeling "blue" or "sad" and a mental depression. The latter requires medication and possibly psychotherapy.
I totally agree, but the point is that no one would confuse either of these with the feeling of a runner's high.
The feeling of a runner's high is one of positive well being and alertness, not down or blue.
Title: Re: Why does an orgasm make me feel depressed?
Post by: jeffreyH on 12/06/2017 22:23:01
The phenomenon was noted by Claudius Galenus (200 AD)  triste est omne animal post coitum, praeter mulierem gallumque. Which means all animals are sad after sexual intercourse except for the rooster and women. However,  many women report similar feelings, which may say something about Galen's horizontal expertise or lack of same.

I suspect the cause is more to do with noradrenalin, or in the case of those less talented, disappointment.

The "Sunday morning" effect (hangover, stale sweat, stubbly face, tangled sheets, torn underwear, lipstick and whipped cream all over the place, "have we met before?"........you know the scene) is enough to turn some people to religion, apparently.

They say a picture paints a 1000 words. You paint a picture in 3 short paragraph that will live on in the memory for many a year.