Do you know that feeling after having an orgasm when there is this “aha” moment? This moment where you feel like you’ve gone through a mental reset? This phenomenon is known in society as “post-nut clarity”. Now, you may be reading this and thinking amongst yourself, Huh? I have very different experiences after sex! There’s no “aha” moment after orgasm for me! You are not alone, and I am glad you came across this blog! There are so many emotions people feel after sex and in fact, “post-nut clarity” is not a proven scientific concept. Chances are, you may be feeling this “aha” moment as a result of being influenced by the media! The concept of “post-nut clarity” has gained popularity in recent years in casual discourse about orgasms and sexual activity, as it is fueled by references in the media and pop culture (Benoit, 2023). Despite the popular and accepted term, “post-nut clarity” is not a valid term or phenomenon in scientific literature. In fact, research surrounding “post-nut clarity” and orgasms, in general, remain quite unclear. In this blog, I aim to critically examine “post-nut clarity”, a term coined by the media, and challenge its scientific legitimacy. By exploring the creation of the term through its media influences and examining post-sex realities, I hope to debunk the myth of universal mental clarity after orgasm and highlight the diverse emotional experiences associated with sexual activity.  

The Media’s Influence on Post-Nut Clarity

The term “post-nut clarity” was originally coined by influencer Alex Cooper on her podcast, “Call Her Daddy” in 2018 (Benoit, 2023). Since the release of that podcast, the term has since found its way into mainstream media. The term is reinforced by high-profile celebrities, like Drake who perpetrated the idea that orgasms lead to clearer thinking, in his song “Rich Baby Daddy” (Benoit, 2023). The lyrics “Post nut clarity, I came to my senses” by Drake demonstrate the terms’ use in popular culture and how this pseudoscientific term is commonly reinforced by the media. It is essential to recognize that the media’s role in popularizing terms can have a large effect on public perception. Indeed, the media’s influence can contribute to unrealistic expectations about the cognitive effects of sexual activity and may classify mental clarity as a normative experience following sexual activity. This is extremely problematic, as “post-nut clarity” is an unproven phenomenon, which can contribute to unrealistic expectations about the mental effects following sexual activity.

A Theory for “Post-Nut Clarity”

            One theory of “post-nut clarity” may be linked to the restoration of blood flow to the parts of the brain involved in decision-making after orgasm. Dr. Rena Malik in a YouTube video posted in 2023, claims that after reaching orgasm, blood rushes to these parts, rebooting the system. Malik (2023) suggests that during sexual arousal and orgasm, the brain region responsible for decision-making is briefly interrupted due to reduced blood flow. This interruption might explain the change in mental state experienced. After orgasm, when blood flow returns, there could be increased activity in that brain region, contributing to the sensation of mental clarity (Malik, 2023). This is a super promising potential theory in explaining why some people feel mentally clear after sex. However, it is crucial to note that this is simply a hypothesis towards “post-nut clarity” and that this explanation remains speculative since there is no current scientific evidence directly linking “post-nut clarity” to blood flow patterns in the brain. Further research is necessary to validate or disprove this hypothesis on “post-nut clarity”.

Post Sex Realities

After having satisfied and consensual sex, some people may not be experiencing any form of mental clarity. Indeed, people often feel a range of negative emotions like sadness, anxiety, restlessness, or irritability, according to scientific studies (Schweitzer et al., 2015). This is called postcoital dysphoria (PCD), and it’s essentially the opposite of “post-nut clarity” (Schweitzer et al., 2015). In fact, PCD is quite common, and many people experience it after sexual activities (Maczkowiack & Schweitzer, 2019). A study by Maczkowiack & Schweitzer (2019) surveyed more than 1200 men from around the world. About 41% of them reported feeling PCD symptoms at some point in their lives, around 20% experienced these symptoms in the last month, and 3-4% felt them regularly (Maczkowiack & Schweitzer, 2019). This demonstrates how typical feelings after sex can be very negative for some, which is the direct opposite of “post-nut clarity”. Therefore, promoting “post-nut clarity” may have a distressing effect on individuals who genuinely experience PCD. People who experience PCD may feel alienated when having negative thoughts after sex, as the normative mental experience being promoted by society is mental clarity. This can lead to internalized feelings of stigma and shame, which may contribute to continuous feelings of PCD. This goes to show how PCD contrasts with “post-nut clarity”, as “post-nut clarity” lacks any scientific basis or any empirical evidence.

However, PCD is not the only reality after engaging in sex. In fact, many people after having sex or achieving orgasm with a partner often report that they feel closer and more intimate after engaging in sex, due to an increased feeling of desire for their partner (Cera et al. 2021). This is a result due to an increased release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and positive emotions (Cera et al., 2021). Studies, such as the ones analyzed by Cera and colleagues (2021) have consistently shown that levels of oxytocin increase during orgasm or ejaculation. This hormone release contributes to an increased sense of social cohesion and social contact between those engaging in sexual activities (Cera et al., 2021). Cera and colleagues (2021) emphasized how oxytocin has a major role in prosocial and positive emotions, which demonstrates its significance in modulating feelings after arousal. So rather than you having a momentary lapse or feeling of “aha”, you may actually be sustaining a sense of emotional well-being, as documented by credible, scientific sources.

So, what should we do about “post-nut clarity”?

            Next time you are addressing “post-nut clarity” or discussing it in conversation, it is important to remember from where the term emerged. “Post-nut clarity” emerged from influencers and celebrities, and now this term gets tossed into sexual discussions. While the media suggests a link between increased mental clarity and post-orgasmic states, scientific evidence leans into a more complex emotional response. The documented phenomenon of PCD and the increased release of oxytocin post-sex reveal a diverse range of scientifically established emotional experiences following sexual activity.  These experiences directly challenge the idea of mental clarity. So next time you feel like you are having an “aha” moment after orgasm, just remember, this could be just a result of you conforming to media influences!

            Regardless of how this term came to be, “post-nut clarity” could be a very real phenomenon. Although there has been no research conducted on post-nut clarity, many people believe they have experienced this phenomenon, and some medical professionals do believe this phenomenon could exist (Benoit, 2023). However, until “post-nut clarity” is proven, we should focus on the facts and science of post-sex emotions and experiences. By debunking the unsupported term “post-nut clarity” and by examining the scientific realities post-sex, we can educate individuals on the complexities of emotional responses. In doing so, we can empower individuals to navigate their emotional responses and promote a greater understanding of post-sex experiences.

Anonymous Student, BAH Psychology

References

Benoit, S. (2023, October 25). Is “Post-nut clarity” a real thing? GQ Wellness. https://www.gq.com/story/is-post-nut-clarity-real#:~:text=Medical%20science%20doesn%27t%20have,the%20phenomenon%20doesn%27t%20exist.&text=The%20term%20%E2%80%9Cpost%2Dnut%20clarity,Call%20Her%20Daddy%2C%20in%202018

Cera, N., Vargas-Cáceres, S., Oliveira, C., Monteiro, J., Branco, D., Pignatelli, D., & Rebelo, S. (2021). How relevant is the systemic oxytocin concentration for human sexual behavior? A systematic review. Sexual Medicine, 9(4), 100370-100370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100370

Maczkowiack, J., & Schweitzer, R. D. (2019). Postcoital Dysphoria: Prevalence and Correlates Among Males. Journal of sex & marital therapy, 45(2), 128–140. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2018.1488326

Malik, R. (2023, May, 22). Post-Nut Clarity: Myth or Reality?! Expert Reveals! [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8f9y59fR-M

Schweitzer, R. D., O’Brien, J., & Burri, A. (2015). Postcoital dysphoria: prevalence and psychological correlates. Sexual Medicine, 3(4), 235-243. https://doi.org/10.1002/sm2.74