Recipe for great sex: Scientists reveal three key ingredients for a passionate romp – and say it’s not always about The Big O
US-based scientists interviewed 78 18- to 69-year-olds to find emotional connection trumps all other factors in understanding ‘great sex’
It’s no secret that sex can get a little stale over time, with many turning to porn as a source of pleasure.
But a new study has now uncovered three key ingredients for a passionate romp, and it turns out the ‘big o’ isn’t always the answer.
Two American scientists from Missouri State University conducted about 80 interviews with people aged 18 to 69.
When asked what ruffled their feathers, an emotional connection trumped all other factors, 52 participants claimed they needed it for great sex.
You might be surprised to know that 20 people didn’t need an orgasm at all, while 49 people admitted it was a top priority.
Emotional connection trumps all factors in the scientific quest to understand the ‘greater sex’
Three Ingredients for Great Sex
1. Emotional connection
Emotional intimacy surpassed all other factors in the study, with 52 participants citing its importance. Some women even say that emotional connection is necessary to get an orgasm.
2. Orgasm
Forty-nine participants said that excitement was most important to sex. But several women discount their personal experience of orgasm based on a previous absence of intercourse.
3. Chemistry
The ‘spark’ of intimacy between two people is a hard-to-define phenomenon. Thirty-six participants rated it highly, often suggesting that it was difficult to create but easy to detect.
‘There was a lot of variation in response,’ Dr Alicia Walker told Cypost.
‘Sex that’s great for you might be mediocre or even bad for your partner. And so often we aren’t having these conversations with each other, but we should be.
‘The more we talk openly about our sexual needs and expectations the more likely our experiences will meet our expectations.’
The scientists recruited 78 participants on Facebook, Twitter, YikYak and even Craigslist with data collected between 2016 and 2018.
With the concept of ‘sexual satisfaction’ at the center of their study, the pair aimed to understand what part of sex provides a subjective feeling of happiness.
Along with emotional connection and orgasm, chemistry ranked in the top three for essential elements, as 36 interviewees acknowledged its importance.
This hard-to-define phenomenon is largely beyond the scope of personal control and impossible to produce, but was said to be a priority in the bedroom.
On the flipside, 16 said they didn’t need an emotional connection to get it while only eight prioritized feelings of love.
This feeling for love was equally expressed in both men and women, and four of both sides shared their need for it, but gender similarities were not observed in all cases.
For example, many women discount the personal experience of orgasm based on their absence from previous intercourse.
You might be surprised to know that 20-somethings didn’t need an orgasm at all to have good sex
Other women also say that an orgasm is necessary for an emotional connection, with both components equally weighted.
Dr Walker added: ‘Most participants listed orgasm, an emotional component, and chemistry and connection as characteristics of great sex.
‘Both men and women listed arousal as a necessary aspect of great sex, although gender differences existed in the importance of partner arousal with men expressing greater concern for their partner’s sexual arousal than women.
‘Participants also felt that both partners should have orgasms during intercourse, with orgasms suggesting a desire for equality.
‘This study contributes to the scant existing literature on human understanding of what makes sex sublime and the sociology of pleasure. We call for the development of theories on sexual pleasure.’
Also read: Beware of cheatwave: Sunny weather ’causes massive increase in cheating’ – and claims an expert
Dear Britons were today told to be on the lookout for an unexpected spell of Caribbean-esque temperatures this weekend.
Hot weather triggers a phenomenon nicknamed the ‘cheatwave’, according to one expert, who claims sunny spells can make people hornier than usual.
As Britain faced its hottest day of the year on June 10, when the mercury hit 30C, sign-ups on the country’s leading matrimonial site surged by 64 per cent.
The same thing happened last year. Jessica Leoni of Illicitencounters.com says hot weather is directly to blame.
Signups on one of the UK’s leading matrimonial websites soared on Britain’s hottest day of the year