immune function | The Silo

Whether it’s a cozy post-coital cuddle or the serene satisfaction following a solo session, the afterglow is that unmistakable halo of happiness we carry long after the climax. Far from being a fleeting sensation, the afterglow is a scientifically grounded phenomenon driven by hormones and emotional connectivity.

Our friends at LELO share everything you need to know about the science of the afterglow and why it deserves a central place in the conversation about pleasure, intimacy, and well-being.

The afterglow is the warm, contented feeling that lingers after sexual activity or orgasm. It’s that magical moment when you feel deeply connected to your partner or yourself. This glowing sensation can last minutes, hours, or even days, influencing how you approach your relationships, work, and personal life with a rejuvenated sense of calm and joy.

The Science Behind the Glow

Orgasm triggers the release of a powerful cocktail of hormones. Oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” strengthens trust and bonding, especially during partnered intimacy. Dopamine delivers an intense rush of pleasure, while serotonin enhances relaxation and happiness. These hormones are universal, playing the same role whether the experience is shared with a partner or savored solo.

The parasympathetic nervous system also kicks in post-orgasm, reducing stress and fostering a profound sense of well-being. This physiological response underscores that pleasure isn’t just about feeling good in the moment; it’s about nurturing your mind and body in meaningful ways.

The Benefits of the Afterglow

Numerous studies show that the effects of post-orgasmic bliss can persist for up to 48 hours. During this time, the afterglow fosters emotional connection in relationships, boosts mood, and even strengthens immune function. It can also enhance self-esteem, helping you approach your day with confidence and optimism.

Partnered Pleasure

In relationships, the afterglow is an emotional glue, reinforcing bonds and increasing satisfaction. By prolonging this shared connection, couples can navigate conflicts more effectively and deepen their intimacy. The key is to be present and savor the moment together through touch, eye contact, or quiet conversation.

Solo Afterglow

Self-pleasure offers the same hormonal and emotional rewards as partnered sex, making it a powerful form of self-care. Beyond physical release, it’s an act of self-discovery and affirmation, promoting body positivity and emotional recharge. The afterglow from solo sessions is a reminder that connecting with yourself is just as vital as connecting with others.

Extending The Glow

To fully savor the magic of the afterglow, consider these tips:

Extend the Glow: Take a slow, mindful approach to aftercare. A shared bath, journaling about your experience, or meditative breathing can amplify the benefits.

The afterglow is more than a momentary sensation; it’s a testament to the beauty of connection, intimacy, and self-awareness. By leaning into these moments, you embrace the joy of pleasure and unlock a deeper understanding of your emotional and physical needs.

So, next time you bask in that warm, lingering glow, let it remind you of the transformative power of pleasure to nourish your body, mind, and soul. Stay glowing

Prioritize Connection: For couples, linger in the moment by sharing a cuddle, eye contact, or a few whispered words. For solo sessions, take time to appreciate your body and the joy it brings.

Set the Scene: Create an environment that invites relaxation. Soft lighting, calming music, or a warm blanket can extend the moment’s serenity.

Practice Gratitude: Whether with a partner or alone, reflect on the experience and express gratitude – for your body, your partner, or simply the pleasure itself. For the Silo, Emilie Melloni Quemar/ Lelo.

About LELO
LELO is not “just a sex toy brand”; it’s a self-care movement aimed at those who know that satisfaction transcends gender, sexual
orientation, race, and age. We’re offering the experience of ecstasy without shame, the pleasure of discovering all the wonders of one’s
body, thus facilitating our customers with confidence, that leads to a fulfilled intimate life. LELOi AB is the Swedish company behind LELO,
where offices extend from Stockholm to San Jose, from Sydney to Shanghai

HA NOI (June, 2020) – A new study found that animals sampled in the wildlife-trade supply chain bound for human consumption had high proportions of coronaviruses, and that the proportion of positives significantly increases as animals travel from traders, to large markets, to restaurants.

The study, which appears in the pre-print journal bioRxiv, is by a team of scientists from WCS, the Department of Animal Health of the Viet Nam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Viet Nam National University of Agriculture, EcoHealth Alliance, and One Health Institute of the University of California, Davis.

Wildlife in the trade supply chain are often under stress and confined at high densities with other animals from multiple sources which likely results in increased shedding of coronaviruses. The authors forewarn of the potential risk of viral spillover into people through the wildlife trade.

The authors indicate that stress and poor nutrition likely contribute to decreasing animal immune functions resulting in increased shedding and amplification of coronaviruses along the supply chain. The findings in rodents illuminate the potential for coronavirus shedding in other wildlife supply chains (e.g. civets, pangolins) where similarly large numbers of animals are collected, transported, and confined.

The purpose of the study was to gain a better understanding of coronavirus presence and diversity in wildlife at three wildlife-human interfaces including live wildlife trade chains, wildlife farming, and bat-human interfaces. This work represents an important demonstration of capacity and a significant contribution from Viet Nam to the field, laboratory, and scientific approaches critical to understanding and addressing zoonotic disease threats. The consensus PCR approach for viral detection is a cost-effective tool for detecting both known and novel viruses and co-infections in a variety of taxa, sample types, and interfaces.

Researchers collected samples at 70 sites in Viet Nam, and detected six distinct taxonomic units of known coronaviruses. There is no current evidence to suggest these particular viruses were a human-health threat, but the laboratory techniques used in the study can be utilized to detect important emerging or unknown viruses in humans, wildlife, and livestock in the future.

The team found high proportions of positive samples among field rats destined for human consumption. The proportion of positives significantly increased along the supply chain from traders (21 percent), to large markets (32 percent) to restaurants (56 percent). Coronaviruses were detected on two-thirds of the surveyed wildlife farms, and six percent of rodents raised on the farms were positive. A bat and a bird coronavirus were found in rodent fecal samples collected from wildlife farms suggesting either environmental mixing or viral sharing among species. Coronavirus detection rates in rodent populations sampled in their ‘natural’ habitat are closer to 0-2 percent.

Said Amanda Fine, WCS Health Program Associate Director, Asia, and a co-author of the study: “Wildlife supply chains, and the conditions the animals experience while in the supply chain, appear to greatly amplify the prevalence of coronaviruses. In addition, we documented exposure of rodents on wildlife farms to both bat and bird coronaviruses. These high prevalence rates and diversity of coronaviruses, added to the species mixing we see in the wildlife trade, creates more opportunities for coronavirus recombination events as well as spillover.”

The authors warn that the trade in wildlife facilitates close contact between people and multiple species of wildlife taxa shedding coronaviruses. This provides opportunities for intra- and inter-species transmission and potential recombination of coronaviruses.

The wildlife supply chain from the field to the restaurant provides multiple opportunities for such spillover events to occur. To minimize the public health risks of viral disease emergence from wildlife and to safeguard livestock-based production systems, the authors recommend precautionary measures that restrict the killing, commercial breeding, transport, buying, selling, storage, processing, and consuming of wild animals.

The emergence of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and now SARS-CoV-2 highlight the importance of the coronavirus viral family to affect global public health. The world must increase vigilance through building and improving detection capacity; actively conducting surveillance to detect and characterize coronaviruses in humans, wildlife, and livestock; and to inform human behaviors in order to reduce zoonotic viral transmission to humans.  

Hoang Bich Thuy, WCS Viet Nam Country Program Director and co-author explains: “Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Government of Viet Nam has been taking strong actions to enforce wildlife trade laws and is considering the prohibition of wildlife trade and consumption as directed by the Prime Minister in his Official Letter No. 1744/VPCP-KGVX dated 6 March 2020 of the Government Office. This research provides important baseline information and suggests areas for targeted studies to provide more evidence for the development of new policies and/or revision of the legal framework in Viet Nam to prevent future pandemics by mitigating risks of transmitting pathogens from animals to humans at key nodes along the wildlife supply chain. Successful interventions will be those that support a significant reduction in the volume and diversity of species traded, and the number of people involved in the trade of wildlife.”

This study was made possible USAID’s Emerging Pandemic Threats PREDICT project with cooperation from the government of Viet Nam.

WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society)

MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the world’s oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. For the Silo, Stephen Sautner, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo, New York.

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Science Behind Post Orgasmic Afterglow