Table of Content
1. What is Orgasmic Meditation?
2. Studying the Brain Effects of OM
3. Comparing OM to Other Meditation Practices
4. Implications and Future Directions
5. FAQs
A new study published in Frontiers in Neuroimaging has found that long-term practice of a unique paired meditation technique called Orgasmic Meditation (OM) is associated with significant changes in brain metabolism compared to non-meditating individuals. The findings suggest that regularly engaging in this practice over an extended period may have lasting effects on brain function and structure.
Orgasmic Meditation, or OM, is a 15-minute partnered meditation practice that involves clitoral stimulation. However, the goal is not sexual climax but rather to use the stimulation as a focal point for meditation, helping the practitioners achieve a sense of connectedness and oneness.
OM is typically performed by a male-female pair, with one partner providing the stimulation and the other receiving it. However, both are considered to be actively meditating. Subjective reports from OM practitioners describe the experience using terms related to meditation rather than sexuality, such as relaxation, awareness, and feelings of union.
To investigate the long-term neurophysiological impact of OM, researchers used positron emission tomography (PET) to measure resting glucose metabolism in the brains of 40 experienced OM meditators. The meditators, consisting of 20 males and 20 females, had practiced OM regularly for over a year. Their brain scans were compared to those of 19 non-meditating controls.
The OM group demonstrated significantly lower resting metabolism in several brain regions:
- Frontal, temporal and parietal lobes
- Anterior cingulate
- Insula
- Thalamus
Notably, the female OM practitioners showed particularly reduced metabolism in the thalamus and insula compared to female controls.
The brain regions affected by the OM practitioners overlap with areas impacted by other forms of meditation based on previous neuroimaging research. Studies have found that long-term meditators often exhibit changes in structures involved in:
- Attention and cognitive control (frontal regions)
- Sensory awareness (parietal areas)
- Emotional regulation (limbic system)
- Self-referential processing (default mode network)
However, while many meditation practices are associated with increased brain activity in these regions, the OM group predominantly showed decreases in resting metabolism. This could relate to the more receptive nature of the practice compared to techniques emphasizing focused attention.
The involvement of the thalamus and insula in female OM practitioners also suggests some overlap with brain circuits involved in sexual stimulation. However, the changes were more extensive, including many areas linked to higher cognitive functions and emotional processing.
This study provides initial neuroimaging evidence that long-term practice of Orgasmic Meditation is linked to altered resting brain function in regions related to attention, body awareness, emotional control, and social cognition. The findings extend the understanding of how different types of meditation can induce neuroplasticity.
More research is needed to determine the clinical implications of the observed brain changes in OM practitioners. Future studies could explore whether this practice may be helpful for conditions involving attentional issues, emotional dysregulation, or interpersonal difficulties.
Investigating a larger sample size and considering additional comparison groups, such as other types of meditators or people who engage in similar sexual stimulation without meditating, could provide further insights. Researchers will also need to establish clear criteria for what constitutes "long-term" meditation practice.
As a novel technique, Orgasmic Meditation offers intriguing possibilities for studying the intersections of meditation, sexuality, social connection, and brain plasticity. With continued research, we may better understand the mechanisms and potential applications of this unique practice for mental training and well-being.
A: OM involves clitoral stimulation, but the goal is not sexual climax. Instead, it uses stimulation as a focal point for achieving a meditative state of connectedness and oneness.
A: The study found that female OM practitioners showed particularly reduced metabolism in the thalamus and insula compared to female controls. These brain regions are involved in sensory awareness and emotional processing.
A: While many meditation practices increase brain activity in regions related to attention, awareness, emotion, and self-processing, the OM group showed decreased resting metabolism. This could be due to the more receptive nature of OM compared to focused attention techniques.
A: More research is needed to determine the clinical implications. However, future studies could explore OM's potential benefits for conditions involving attention, emotion regulation, or interpersonal difficulties.
A: Future studies should investigate larger sample sizes, consider additional comparison groups, and establish criteria for defining "long-term" practice. Continued research may provide insights into OM's mechanisms and potential applications for mental training and well-being.
