Every Wednesday, for over a year and a half, I've posted a #HumpDay Sex Quiz to my Facebook page, so the Facebook community can test their knowledge against the latest research in the sex, sexual health, and gender fields. My quiz just started airing on the radio in San Diego and Memphis, and now it's available on my blog as well. So here you go!

According to a neuroscientist at Northwestern University, what aspect of sexual interaction can create a trance-like state?
A. Timing your orgasms to coincide
B. Talking dirty to each other, back and forth
C. Maintaining eye contact for several minutes
D. The rhythmic nature of sex

What do you think? The answer is the rhythmic nature of sex! According to this researcher's study, being in synch in your rhythm with another person during sexual intercourse can create a state where you are absorbed in your senses and lose self-awareness. Your brains can become synchronized and this sexual experience can be compared to an altered state of consciousness. As well, this level of presence with rhythm and your senses can continue to build in intensity and lead to an orgasm. I'd love to hear if anyone wants to share their personal experiences with this?

If you'd like to read the original research (which is pretty heavy scientific language) check out What is Orgasm? A Model of Sexual Trance and Climax Via Rhythmic Entrainment. And here's an article in layperson's terms about this research too: Good Sex is a lot like Good Music, Suggests New Research.

~Dr. Jenn Gunsaullus, San Diego Sexologist, Sociologist, Sexuality Speaker