The body's sexual response is typically broken down in four stages:

人體對於性的回應通常會分為四個階段

excitement, plateau of arousal, orgasm, and resolution.

興奮、生理激動階段、高潮，和釋放

Following arousal, the brain stimulates bloodflow to the genitals, your heartbeat and breathing increase,

緊接在生理激動之後，大腦刺激將血流運輸到生殖器官，你的心跳和呼吸一邊變得越來越急促

and the central nervous system is fully engaged, sending signals of enjoyment to the brain's reward system.

同時中央神經系統是全神貫注的在工作，發送享受的訊號到大腦的獎勵系統

These thousands of nerve endings constantly relay pleasure signals to the brain, resulting in an orgasm.

數以千計的神經末稍不停傳輸愉悅訊號到大腦中，最後形成了「高潮」

For men, the orgasm includes rapid contractions of the anal sphincter, the prostate, and the muscles of the penis.

對男人來說，高潮包含了肛門括約肌、前列腺、陰莖肌肉的急速收縮

In conjunction with ejaculation, which sees the release of sperm and other seminal fluid,

最後連同著射精，也就是精液以及其他生殖液體的釋出

the whole process for men involves around three to ten seconds of intense pleasure.

對男人來說，整個過程大概有3到10秒鐘強烈地愉快感覺

This is followed by a refractory period for minutes to hours in which another orgasm cannot be achieved.

接著伴隨而來的就是從數分鐘到幾小時的不反應期，也就是在此期間無法在達到另一個高潮

Women, on the other hand, do not experience a refractory period,

反之，女人並沒有所謂的不反應期

allowing them to experience multiple consecutive orgasms.

使得她們能夠經歷多重連續的高潮

On avarage, these last for around twenty seconds (but sometimes much longer) and consist of

平均來說，這大概持續大約20秒(雖然有時候也會更長)，並且包括了

rhythmic contractions between the uterus, vagina, anus, and pelvic muscles.

有節奏性的收縮，包含了子宮、陰道、肛門、骨盆底肌肉之間的收縮

But it's the brain that takes control -- or rather, lack thereof -- during orgasm.

但是在高潮的時候，大腦會控制一切，或者...根本沒有控制

Using functional MRI scans, scientists are able to see brain activity in over 30 discrete regions.

利用核磁共振成像掃描，科學家可以看到大腦超過30個獨立區域的活動狀態

It's flooded with the anticipatory and feel-good chemical dopamine which makes you crave the feeling again.

會讓人感到愉悅的預期化學多巴胺充斥在腦中，讓你渴望再次感受那快感

This is in tandem with the release of oxytocin; a hormone that mediates bonding and love between mates.

催產素的釋放是和這個是同時發生的。賀爾蒙則是兩人的愛與關係之間的調和劑

PET scans show (surprisingly) that brain activity during an orgasm is the same between men and women.

正子掃描令人驚訝地顯示了大腦在高潮時候的活動是男女都一樣的

In both genders, the lateral orbitofrontal cortex is turned off which controls self-evaluation, reason, and control.

兩性在高潮時候，旁邊的眼窩前額皮質是關閉著的，這部分平常是控制自評、理智，以及自我控管

Makes sense, as you often lose control during orgasm.

聽起來很合理，就像你在高潮的時候會無法控制

This shuts down fear and anxiety, which is seen as the most essential aspect leading up to orgasm.

也把恐懼和焦慮感阻隔了，也被認為是引起高潮最核心的關鍵

The relaxation of the amygdala and hippocampus in women further reduce emotions,

扁桃腺和海馬體的鬆弛對於女性來說會減少更多情緒

producing a trance-like state, while in men, it dampens aggressiveness

引起如同昏眩的狀態；然而對男人來說，此舉減低的男性的侵略性

Many areas of a woman's brain are shut down completely during an orgasm.

女性大腦中的許多區域在高潮的時候是完全失去功能的

These effects are less striking in men, likely because of the shorter duration

這些效應對男性來說影響較小，很有可能是因為持續的時間比較短

and difficulty with measuring during brain scan.

和大腦掃描時候要評估的困難

In women, an area called the periaqueductal gray (or PAG) is activated, stimulating the flight or fight response

女性有一個區域叫做中腦導水管旁灰質（或是PAG）被啟動了，刺激了所謂的戰鬥或逃跑反應

while the cortex -- which is associated with pain -- lights up,

當跟疼痛有關係的皮質被啟動的時候

suggesting that there is a connection between pain and pleasure.

此顯示了在疼痛與快樂之間的確是有關連的

Following this climax and muscle contraction, the body experiences deep relaxation,

緊接在高潮和肌肉收縮之後，身體會經歷深度放鬆

and heart rate slows to a resting pace.

同時心跳減緩到一個休息的速度

Who knew science could be so sexy?

誰當初會知道科學也可以變得如此性感呢？

Got a burning question you want answered? Ask them in the comments or on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe for more weekly science videos.

有一個急需解決的問題想要解決？在影片下面回應提問或是上Facebook和Twitter提問，也別忘了追蹤每週科學的更多影片