Opposed hemispheric specializations for human hypersexuality and orgasm?

With a multiple case report analysis we demonstrate that hypersexuality more often results from right hemisphere (RH) (n = 26) than left hemisphere (LH) (n = 7) lesions, possibly because of LH release after the RH lesion, and that ictal orgasm more often occurs in patients with right-sided (n = 23) than left-sided (n = 8) seizure foci, with the symptom probably resulting from RH activation. The LH may be specialized for increasing sexual tension, whereas the RH may be specialized for release of this tension (orgasm), the former being catabolic and the latter anabolic. Several other interpretations of the findings are also discussed.

Research highlights► Unilateral lesions causing hypersexuality are usually to the right hemisphere. ► Unilateral epileptic foci causing orgasm are usually in the right hemisphere. ► Libido entails an impending energy expenditure; orgasm, conservation of it. ► The left hemisphere appears more libidinal (anabolic), the right more orgasmic (catabolic).