How Sexual Chemistry Develops and What It Feels Like

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDevelopmentBenefitsDangersCausesWhen It DiminishesSexual Chemistry and IntimacyLoving RelationshipsTake the Love Quiz

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Development

Benefits

Dangers

Causes

When It Diminishes

Sexual Chemistry and Intimacy

Loving Relationships

Take the Love Quiz

Close

Sexual chemistry is when you have animmediate physical attraction to someone. Signs of sexual chemistry include sweaty palms, shortness of breath, and feeling a quick, intense draw to the other person. Sexual chemistry is usually obvious at the beginning of a relationship and is an important component of many relationships.

The danger is you might interpret the sexual chemistry alone as reflecting a deeper connection. Without more knowledge about this very attractive person, you just don’t know enough about who they are.

Sometimes the chemistry does reflect a deeper connection. But how can you distinguish between what is sexual chemistry and what hints at more of a possible deep, intimate bond?

This article will delve into the benefits and drawbacks of sexual chemistry, the chemicals our brain produces during our feelings of lust and love, information on attachment styles, what happens when chemistry diminishes, as well as more aboutintimacy and loving bonds.

How Sexual Chemistry Develops

What makes people have sexual chemistry? The answer lies in chemicals released during lust and attraction.

Lust is a desire for sexual gratification. The brain’s hypothalamus influences the production of the hormones testosterone and estrogen. This drives our feelings of sexual desire.

When we are attracted to someone, our brains release high levels ofdopamineandnorepinephrine. Dopamine and norepinephrine “make us giddy, energetic, and euphoric,“sometimes resulting in loss of appetite and the inability to sleep.

We all know of those friends or family members who after meeting someone special say they can’t eat, sleep or concentrate. They’re head over heels. They’re so excited about the new relationship they claim they’re already in love. Often, this is thephysical chemistrytalking.

The magnetism of intense sexual chemistry can result in good, short-term relationships. As long as both parties recognize their time together for what it truly is, relationships that are based on physical enjoyment can work out well.

Benefits of Sexual Chemistry

When sexual chemistry leads to sex, there are many benefits. On the physical side, besides sex being a form of exercise which improves your health, your immune function increases, you gain positive cardiac effects and even the perception ofheadache pain in migraine decreases.

The psychological benefits of having sexafter sexual chemistry are also multifold. A few of the proven benefits include relief from stress,higher rate of happiness and improved sleep quality.

Therefore, when sexual attraction leads to a sexual relationship, there are many positives that come from it.

What Is Sexual Tension?

Dangers of Sexual Chemistry

Unfortunately, when some couples are so drawn to each other in a passionate, physical way, one might want a longer lasting relationship and the other is satisfied with keeping it only physical.

At other times, one partner discovers the other person is not living a healthy lifestyle or exhibits a lot of damaging behaviors. Couples may discover they bring out the worst in each other.

When two people overlook the rest of their relationship dynamics for the sake of a strong physical and sexually-focused tie, it does not bode well. Infidelity, alcoholism, drug usage, and other serious problems should never be overlooked because of great sex.

When two people are obsessed with the other and have off-the-chart sexual chemistry, they might struggle to leave each other but know they can’t stay together either. This type of relationship canquickly become toxic.

Causes of Sexual Chemistry

Dr. Amy E. Keller, PsyD, a marriage and family therapist suggests that falling for someone and having great sexual chemistry can sometimes be connected to past attachments. Causes of sexual chemistry can include “unconscious and unresolved family dynamics,” she suggests.

It is possible to be strongly drawn to people who remind you of your past, including unconscious and unresolved family dynamics. For example, you might be drawn to a partner who resembles a primary parental figure who did not meet the needs you hoped would be met. As a result, you may find yourself unconsciously trying to heal through your relationship with your partner.

It is important to navigate this with increased awareness, courageous communication, great care, and intention. It is possible to heal from the trauma that happened in a past relationship through your current relationship, but it is also possible to repeat past trauma as well.

Sexual chemistry can’t protect you from someone’s problems that stem from childhood. Ideally, as we mature, the ways we interact and behave in relationships reflect what’s called asecure attachment style. That means we are socially comfortable, trust others, have good self-esteem, and share our feelings with friends and family.

But Dr. Amy (as she is called) cautions us that “if a couple falls down a rabbit hole together to the point of ignoring friends and family while in their love bubble, it usually doesn’t end well.” She adds, “That is, most people don’t come to the table with secure attachments nor are they uber ready right away for a healthy, mature relationship.”

For people who show evidence of afearful-avoidant attachment style, for example, though they crave love and affection, they don’t trust others and are reluctant to have close relationships. Often this relates to childhood trauma, these individuals struggle with trying to maintain healthy relationships.

According to what Dr. Amy sees in her practice, “Many people have a combination of avoidance or anxious attachment styles. If they still want to explore a relationship with that person, all they need to do is slow it down and pace it out.”

In addition to slowing things down and going at a more organic, less intense pace, the good news is that those having insecure attachment styles can develop a more secure attachment style under the care of and with proper guidance from amental health professional.

A secure attachment style is possible to develop, but this takes time, care, intention, effort, and the healing of relationship trauma in relationships with yourself and others.

Attachment styles can evolve over time and people with all attachment styles can be in relationships with people who have different attachment styles. This can be healing with awareness, communication, intention, and the openness, willingness, and commitment to heal, change, do things differently, and grow.

When Sexual Chemistry Diminishes

Sexual chemistry can fuel a relationship and eventually lead to intimacy. The physical attraction can help people foster a deep emotional connection later on.

What happens when sexual chemistry diminishes? When the glow of infatuation and attraction dims, and couples see the other’s quirks and faults in the bright light of awareness, that’s when they are tested.

At that point, they can decide if the relationship’s foundation was purely physical and will take them no further. Or do they want to continue down the path of getting to know the other better and perhaps eventually remain together?

Surely, the stressors of everyday life and lack of time may put a dent in the sex life of those who have dated or been together awhile. Work challenges, financial pressures, and the birth of children might negatively impact the carefree sex life that couples had in the past.

Yet, once couples weather the roadblocks that come up as a result of getting to know one another and living a life together, they will hopefully have alreadydeveloped intimacy, respect, andfeelings of love for the other. They can continue to establish a fulfilling relationship while not giving up their sexual selves.

Sexual chemistry remains an important component that keeps a relationship vital and thriving.

The Role of Intimacy in Sexual Chemistry

Intimacy can be defined as a physical, mental, and emotional closeness. Results from a study showed that feelings of intimacy boosted sexual desire between romantic partners. These partners had more sex as a result.

Fear of Intimacy: Signs, Causes, and Coping Strategies

Sexual Chemistry Can Lead to Loving Relationships

As discussed, sexual chemistry might lead to a mature, loving relationship. If it does, you can be sure that mature, intimate, and loving relationships reflect two people who have bonded.

Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus and is the neurotransmitter that helps us feel empathy and attachment, and truly bondwith one another.Oxytocinhas been nicknamed the cuddle hormone and is sometimes referred to as the love hormone. During parent-infant bonding, while long-time friends speak and when partners embrace lovingly, oxytocin plays a major and undeniable role in creating and maintaining intimate, loving relationships.

Our fast and freelove quizcan help you determine if what you’ve got is the real deal or simply a temporary fling or infatuation.

Keep in Mind

While sexual chemistry can be a passionate and almost euphoric feeling, it can sometimes cloud your judgment when in search of a partner or create a false sense of closeness. If you find that you’re having a hard time figuring out whether your desire for another person is rooted in lust or love,a therapistcan help you understand and sort out your feelings.

What Is Sex Therapy?

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mark KP, Herbenick D.The influence of attraction to partner on heterosexual women’s sexual and relationship satisfaction in long-term relationships.Arch Sex Behav. 2014;43(3):563-570. doi:10.1007/s10508-013-0184-zWu K.Love, Actually: The science behind lust, attraction, and companionship. Harvard University Blog.Liu H, Waite LJ, Shen S, Wang DH.Is Sex Good for Your Health? A National Study on Partnered Sexuality and Cardiovascular Risk among Older Men and Women.J Health Soc Behav. 2016;57(3):276-296. doi:10.1177/0022146516661597van Lankveld J, Jacobs N, Thewissen V, Dewitte M, Verboon P.The associations of intimacy and sexuality in daily life: Temporal dynamics and gender effects within romantic relationships.J Soc Pers Relat. 2018;35(4):557-576. doi:10.1177/0265407517743076

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mark KP, Herbenick D.The influence of attraction to partner on heterosexual women’s sexual and relationship satisfaction in long-term relationships.Arch Sex Behav. 2014;43(3):563-570. doi:10.1007/s10508-013-0184-zWu K.Love, Actually: The science behind lust, attraction, and companionship. Harvard University Blog.Liu H, Waite LJ, Shen S, Wang DH.Is Sex Good for Your Health? A National Study on Partnered Sexuality and Cardiovascular Risk among Older Men and Women.J Health Soc Behav. 2016;57(3):276-296. doi:10.1177/0022146516661597van Lankveld J, Jacobs N, Thewissen V, Dewitte M, Verboon P.The associations of intimacy and sexuality in daily life: Temporal dynamics and gender effects within romantic relationships.J Soc Pers Relat. 2018;35(4):557-576. doi:10.1177/0265407517743076

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Mark KP, Herbenick D.The influence of attraction to partner on heterosexual women’s sexual and relationship satisfaction in long-term relationships.Arch Sex Behav. 2014;43(3):563-570. doi:10.1007/s10508-013-0184-zWu K.Love, Actually: The science behind lust, attraction, and companionship. Harvard University Blog.Liu H, Waite LJ, Shen S, Wang DH.Is Sex Good for Your Health? A National Study on Partnered Sexuality and Cardiovascular Risk among Older Men and Women.J Health Soc Behav. 2016;57(3):276-296. doi:10.1177/0022146516661597van Lankveld J, Jacobs N, Thewissen V, Dewitte M, Verboon P.The associations of intimacy and sexuality in daily life: Temporal dynamics and gender effects within romantic relationships.J Soc Pers Relat. 2018;35(4):557-576. doi:10.1177/0265407517743076

Mark KP, Herbenick D.The influence of attraction to partner on heterosexual women’s sexual and relationship satisfaction in long-term relationships.Arch Sex Behav. 2014;43(3):563-570. doi:10.1007/s10508-013-0184-z

Wu K.Love, Actually: The science behind lust, attraction, and companionship. Harvard University Blog.

Liu H, Waite LJ, Shen S, Wang DH.Is Sex Good for Your Health? A National Study on Partnered Sexuality and Cardiovascular Risk among Older Men and Women.J Health Soc Behav. 2016;57(3):276-296. doi:10.1177/0022146516661597

van Lankveld J, Jacobs N, Thewissen V, Dewitte M, Verboon P.The associations of intimacy and sexuality in daily life: Temporal dynamics and gender effects within romantic relationships.J Soc Pers Relat. 2018;35(4):557-576. doi:10.1177/0265407517743076

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