The Journal of Sexual Medicine
May 1, 2022
R. Costa, Jacopo Ellero
ABSTRACT Introduction Altered states of consciousness (ASCs) refer to marked changes in usual waking consciousness. Sexual arousal, orgasm, and resolution, are modulated by neural pathways that are also activated by psychoactive substances that trigger ASCs. Relatedly, self-report studies show that sexual activity may trigger ASCs. However, investigation about sex-related ASCs is scarce. More...
Psicologia, Saúde & Doença
December 1, 2020
Jacopo Ellero, R. Costa
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...
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
May 4, 2017
R. Costa, J. Pestaña, D. Costa
ABSTRACT Self-forgetfulness is a facet of self-transcendence characterized by tendency to experience altered states of consciousness. We examined associations of self-forgetfulness with sexual desire and frequency. Two hundred sixty-one Portuguese men and women completed the self-forgetfulness subscale of the Temperament and Character Inventory–Revised, a measure of openness to experience, and...
Consciousness and Cognition
May 1, 2016
R. Costa, J. Pestaña, D. Costa et al.
Altered states of consciousness lead to profound changes in the sense of self, time and space. We assessed how these changes were related to sexual responsiveness during sex. 116 subjects reported (a) intensity of awareness concerning body, space and time, and (b) satisfaction, desire, arousal, and orgasm occurrence. We differentiated vaginal intercourse orgasm from noncoital orgasm. Female...