Music & Your Sex Life
One song can link us to a moment in time, a feeling, or experience.
You’re driving in the car when Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” comes on the radio. In an instant, you’re transported to the gymnasium of your highschool, swaying in the arms of your fresh-faced prom date.
That’s all it takes. One song can link us to a moment in time, a feeling, or experience. In fact, a study by MIT discovered that human brains don’t just recognize music, we have a dedicated neural circuit for it. This goes to show how music plays a vital role in our functions as human beings.
Further studies have shown that music can impact our mood, stimulate our brain, reduce stress levels, and boost our motivation. But here’s a benefit of music you maybe didn’t know…it can enhance your sex life. Yes, you read that correctly. The global music streaming service called Deezer conducted a survey looking at the impact music has on peoples’ sex lives. The final report found that 55% of people think music improves sex. That’s over half of the participants! 19% said music makes them more aroused, and 17% said music makes things less awkward in the bedroom.
“55% of people think music improves sex.”
Whether you like it slow and sexy or rousing uptempo, here are 6 Reasons You Should Turn On The Tunes for your next sexual experience.
1. Music Can Diminish Inhibition
If you find yourself to be wound tight or self-conscious, music could be the key. Certain songs have the ability to make you more carefree and confident. Letting go can help you achieve higher levels of sexual pleasure.
2. Music Inspires Rhythm & Movement
Our bodies will naturally try to meet the beats per minute of a song–whether that’s by tapping our foot, swaying, nodding, etc. This is called “rhythm response.” We are built with an instinct to synchronize our movements with music. Which means that during sex, your body will want to move to the ryhymn of the tunes you are playing. Rhythm and sex go hand-in-hand because when our bodies are moving in sync, satisfaction is increased and orgasms are achieved!
3. Music Creates Heightened Bonds
There is a psychological connection behind music. Songs can help us form bonds. When you connect sex and music together, those bonds are heightened.
“We are built with an instinct to synchronize our movements with music. This is called rhythm response. Which means that during sex, your body will want to move to the rhythm of the tunes you are playing.”
3. Music Sets The Mood
Do you struggle with a low sex drive? Is it hard to focus your brain on intimacy after working or parenting all day? Music can actually help you press the reset and trigger your arousal. Both music and sex target the dopamine systems of the brain (the feel-good chemicals). Researchers from McGill University found that listening to certain kinds of stimulating music increases our signs of arousal, including our heart rate, breathing rate and skin conductance (aka skin orgasms). So adding music and sex together equal wins all around.
5. Music Can Relax You
Both sex and music trigger our brains to produce a chemical called oxytocin (aka the love hormone). When partners listen to the same music together, their neurons (nerve cells) release oxytocin at the same rate. Oxytocin also reduces blood pressure and cortisol levels which allow the body and mind to decompress. It can also promote positive social behaviors of trust, empathy, bonding, and communication. The more you engage in pleasurable moments, the more oxytocin you produce.
6. Music Makes You More Active
Want a sexual encounter that lasts more than 10 mintues? Throw on a sex playlist. A study found that couples who listened to music spent 37% more time between the sheets than if they had sexed it up in silence.
Is this concept of listening to music during intimacy new to you? Maybe you’re skeptical because you’ve never done it before. Many adhere to the “try it before you buy it” method, and that’s okay. You don’t have to take our word for it, but we encourage you to give sex and music a shot.
The key to a successful playlist is doing your homework. Since songs connect with our memories, it’s important to choose your songs wisely. While one song might link to happy thoughts for you, for your partner, it might link to a past relationship. Select songs with melodies and lyrics that both you and your partner like.
If you’re at a loss as to where to start, check out these Top Ten suggestions from a study led by music psychologist Daniel Mullensiefen:
- “She’s Like The Wind” by Patrick Swayze
- “Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye
- “Boléro” by London Symphony Orchestra
- “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin
- “You See The Trouble With Me” by Barry White
- “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye
- “Unchained Melody” by Righteous Brothers
- “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion
- “Je T’aime” by Serge Gainsbourg
- “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
Whether you’re a curating pro or a playlist newbie, you can gain new inspiration from the sexy playlists already created on Spotify. Vella has several sexual playlists that we think you’ll love.
Happy listening.
“Both sex and music trigger our brains to produce a chemical called oxytocin (aka the love hormone). When partners listen to the same music together, their neurons release oxytocin at the same rate.”
