What happens when passion combines with mathematics? Scientists at the University of Sussex have created the first mathematical model for achieving maximum pleasure. Yes, you understood correctly: mathematics can lend a hand even between the sheets. Bad for you, high school students with insufficient knowledge in the subject!
When pleasure meets science
Mathematical models, as you know, are tools used to analyze and predict phenomena of all kinds, including physiological ones. Researchers all over the world have developed them for breathing, blood circulation, hearing, vision, etc. Now, this method has also been applied for the first time to predict the phases of a performance in bed.
Sexuality is often a topic that is not spoken about openly (and is also written with difficulty: think of me writing this article trying not to be penalized by Google, for example. A bigoted society!). This, joking aside, also makes it difficult to collect accurate data. The basic idea that inspired this study, however, is brilliant: scientists were inspired by the mathematical models used to improve sports performance and created the first mathematical equation to reach the peak of pleasure. Can I say orgasm, Google? Let's hope so.
They are always the pioneers. Masters and Johnson
It almost goes without saying that the model developed by the University of Sussex (note the Sussex ending which seems quite fitting) is based on the pioneering work of William Masters and Virginia Johnson. The two American researchers, extraordinary pioneers, studied the human sexual response, the diagnosis and treatment of sexual disorders between the 50s and the 90s.
Thanks to advances in technology, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), it has been possible to more thoroughly analyze the physiological reactions during the sexual response cycle. Since the female response is more complex, the researchers have decided for the moment (I already hear cries of discrimination) to focus on the male one, analyzing the four phases of the cycle: arousal, plateau, orgasm and resolution. They found that too much psychological stimulation early in the cycle reduced the likelihood of reaching peak pleasure. But we already knew that, right? Hold back, young man, how much impetus.
Not one, but two equations
From this data, scientists developed two mathematical equations: one for the physiological aspects and one for the psychological aspects of orgasm. Konstantin Bluuss, co-author of the study, said this is the first successful mathematical model of its kind in the world. But will it do us any good?
For those who are passionate about mathematics, the model translates into equations full of symbols and letters. But for those who don't crunch numbers, the moral is very simple and "popularly known": you shouldn't think too much.
Yuliya Kyrychko, co-author of the study, says these findings could have useful applications in treating sexual disorders and providing the public with a proven formula for improving their sex lives. The next steps? Tackling the most difficult equation: the female one, which presents greater physiological and mathematical complexity.
The study was published in Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science and I link it here. Have fun (in general).
