ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS, ABSORPTION, AND SEXUAL RESPONSIVENESS

Sexual intercourse can induce altered states of consciousness (ASC), similar to those experienced during meditation or after psychoactive substances. A study of 448 participants (303 women, 145 men) found that both trait absorption—a personality tendency to experience ASC—and sexual responsiveness independently predicted intensity of ASC dimensions (Unity, Spiritual Experience, Blissful State, Insightfulness) during sex. For women, experiencing vaginal orgasm (from intercourse without additional clitoral stimulation) was an additional independent predictor of ASC. Male orgasm related to ASC but not independently of other aspects of sexual responsiveness.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Sexual intercourse alters normal waking consciousness. Altered states of consciousness (ASC) refer to marked deviations from usual waking consciousness, and include alterations in the sense of self, attention, thought processes, time awareness and sensory perception. Sex can induce ASC, as indicated by states of attentional absorption in bodily sensations concomitant with loss of time awareness. The present study aimed at testing if, during sexual relations, higher sexual responsiveness relates to higher intensity of dimensions of ASC that can occur in other contexts, such as meditation or use of psychoactive substances. The personality trait of absorption appears to reflect individual differences in the proclivity to experience ASC; thus, a second aim was to examine if trait absorption relates to intensity of ASC during sex. The international sample consisted of 448 participants (303 women, 145 men). Sex-induced ASC were measured with four sub-scales of The Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale (OAV): Experience of Unity, Spiritual Experience, Blissful State and Insightfulness. Trait absorption was measured by the Modified Tellegen Absorption Scale (MODTAS). Sexual responsiveness during the last intercourse was assessed by the sum of measures of arousal, desire, and satisfaction, as well as by questions on the occurrence of orgasm from different sexual activities. Trait absorption and sexual responsiveness predicted independently all dimensions of ASC among women and men. In women, vaginal orgasm (during vaginal intercourse without concomitant clitoral masturbation) was an additional independent predictor of ASC. Male orgasm related to ASC, but not independently from other aspects of sexual responsiveness.