Endogenous Opioid Release After Orgasm in Man: A Combined PET/Functional MRI Study

Jern, Patrick; Chen, Jinglu; Tuisku, Jouni; Saanijoki, Tiina; Hirvonen, Jussi; Lukkarinen, Lasse; Manninen, Sandra; Helin, Semi; Putkinen, Vesa; Nummenmaa, Lauri

doi:10.2967/jnumed.123.265512

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The PET data revealed that pleasurable music modulated opioidergic activity in central nodes of the reward circuits such as the ventral striatum and OFC containing "hedonic hotspots" regulated by opioids (Berridge & Kringelbach, 2015). While prior [ 11 C]carfentanil PET studies on reward processing have mainly focused on biologically salient primary rewards such as feeding , sex (Jern et al, 2023), and sociability (Manninen et al, 2017), our results indicate that aesthetic rewards, such as music, that are strongly influenced by cultural learning, also modulate MOR system activity. This suggests that MORs mediate pleasure across domains, driving humans to pursue primary and non-primary rewards and make choices in the face of conflicting options (Grabenhorst & Rolls, 2011).…”

Section: Music Modulates Mor Activationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Multivariate pattern analysis of fMRI data has revealed that activity associated with subjective pleasure overlaps with regions showing mu-opioid receptor gene expression and is down-regulated by an opioid antagonist (Kragel et al, 2023). Positron emission tomography (PET) studies using the MOR-specific radioligand [ 11 C]carfentanil have revealed opioid release following biologically salient rewards such as eating and sex (Jern et al, 2023; Manninen et al, 2017), and baseline MOR availability modulates heamodynamic and behavioral responses to emotional stimuli (Manninen et al, 2017; Sun et al, 2022). Although the contribution of the MOR system musical hedonia has also been postulated (Nummenmaa et al, 2021; Tarr et al, 2014), this hypothesis remains to be tested with in vivo neuroimaging.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pleasurable music activates cerebral μ-opioid receptors: A combined PET-fMRI study

Putkinen,

Seppälä,

Harju

et al. 2024

Preprint

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The μ-opioid receptor (MOR) system mediates incentive motivation and the hedonic component of primary rewards such as food and sex. However, there is no direct in vivo evidence for the involvement of the MOR system in pleasure derived from aesthetic rewards such as music. We measured MOR activation with positron emission tomography (PET) and the agonist radioligand [11C] carfentanil with high affinity for MORs during the listening of pleasurable music and neutral baseline condition. Haemodynamic responses to pleasurable music were measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The PET results revealed that pleasurable music increased [11C]carfentanil binding in several cortical and subcortical regions, including ventral striatum and orbitofrontal cortex, known to contain "hedonic hotspots". Individual variation in baseline MOR tone influenced pleasure-dependent haemodynamic responses during music listening in regions associated with interoceptive, sensorimotor, and reward processing. Our results provide the first-ever neuroimaging evidence that listening to pleasurable music modulates MOR system activation and indicate that the μ-opioid system governs complex aesthetic rewards in addition to biologically salient primary rewards.

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Section: Music Modulates Mor Activationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pleasurable music activates cerebral μ-opioid receptors: A combined PET-fMRI study

Putkinen,

Seppälä,

Harju

et al. 2024

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…Although there are many activities that require some level of rhythmic coordination, there are few that require such tight, rhythmic coupling to achieve success, nor for which success is measured by the enjoyment of all participants (rather than in an external outcome such as locomotion in rowing). Sex also activates the same endorphin reward system as other social bonding behaviors ( Jern et al, 2023 ). Indeed, among bonobos, a close relative of humans, sexual intercourse is regularly used to maintain social bonds and mitigate conflict within a group ( Clay and Zuberbühler, 2012 ; Clay and de Waal, 2015 ).…”

Section: Evolutionary Biology Of Music and Lovementioning

confidence: 99%

Love songs and serenades: a theoretical review of music and romantic relationships

Bamford,

Vigl,

Hämäläinen

et al. 2024

Front. Psychol.

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In this theoretical review, we examine how the roles of music in mate choice and social bonding are expressed in romantic relationships. Darwin’s Descent of Man originally proposed the idea that musicality might have evolved as a sexually selected trait. This proposition, coupled with the portrayal of popular musicians as sex symbols and the prevalence of love-themed lyrics in music, suggests a possible link between music and attraction. However, recent scientific exploration of the evolutionary functions of music has predominantly focused on theories of social bonding and group signaling, with limited research addressing the sexual selection hypothesis. We identify two distinct types of music-making for these different functions: music for attraction, which would be virtuosic in nature to display physical and cognitive fitness to potential mates; and music for connection, which would facilitate synchrony between partners and likely engage the same reward mechanisms seen in the general synchrony-bonding effect, enhancing perceived interpersonal intimacy as a facet of love. Linking these two musical functions to social psychological theories of relationship development and the components of love, we present a model that outlines the potential roles of music in romantic relationships, from initial attraction to ongoing relationship maintenance. In addition to synthesizing the existing literature, our model serves as a roadmap for empirical research aimed at rigorously investigating the possible functions of music for romantic relationships.

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Altered Consciousness in Sexual Synesthesia

Lebeau,

Richer

2024

Preprint

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Endogenous Opioid Release After Orgasm in Man: A Combined PET/Functional MRI Study

Abstract: Visual Abstract

Cited by 3 publications

References 31 publications

Pleasurable music activates cerebral μ-opioid receptors: A combined PET-fMRI study

Pleasurable music activates cerebral μ-opioid receptors: A combined PET-fMRI study

Love songs and serenades: a theoretical review of music and romantic relationships

Altered Consciousness in Sexual Synesthesia

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