Why Good Sex Matters

Grief

What Grief Can Teach Us, if We're Willing to Listen

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on August 25, 2026

Grief is a core emotional system that delivers real information. Learn why listening to it together restores our capacity for joy.

Grief is a core emotional system that delivers real information. Learn why listening to it together restores our capacity for joy.

Anhedonia

Breaking the Cycle of Anxiety and Lost Pleasure

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on July 8, 2026

Anxiety and anhedonia can trap the brain-body in a cycle: flat and unmotivated, or endlessly seeking but never satisfied. Here’s the path back to pleasure.

Anxiety and anhedonia can trap the brain-body in a cycle: flat and unmotivated, or endlessly seeking but never satisfied. Here’s the path back to pleasure.

Anhedonia

Reclaiming Joy With Positive Affect Treatment

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on May 12, 2026

Feeling anxious, depressed, and wondering where your joy went? A powerful new therapy shows that lost pleasure isn't just a symptom—it's a distinct problem. And you can fix it.

Feeling anxious, depressed, and wondering where your joy went? A powerful new therapy shows that lost pleasure isn't just a symptom—it's a distinct problem. And you can fix it.

Anxiety

When Even a Neuroscientist Feels Overwhelmed

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on March 10, 2026

A neuroscientist shares how her own anxiety resurfaces in uncertain times—and how understanding the brain’s emotional architecture can help us regulate and reconnect.

A neuroscientist shares how her own anxiety resurfaces in uncertain times—and how understanding the brain’s emotional architecture can help us regulate and reconnect.

Stress

The Emotional Brain in the Time of Collective Crisis

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on January 27, 2026

A "traumademic" of social chaos and personal stress traps our emotional brains in survival mode. Here's how to use the wired-in core emotions to heal.

A "traumademic" of social chaos and personal stress traps our emotional brains in survival mode. Here's how to use the wired-in core emotions to heal.

Stress

Tools for Emotional Regulation When Life Hurts

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on January 13, 2026

When stress overwhelms, our nervous system can get stuck in survival mode. Ventilation, acceptance, and small pleasures help restore calm and hope.

When stress overwhelms, our nervous system can get stuck in survival mode. Ventilation, acceptance, and small pleasures help restore calm and hope.

Happiness

How to Reboot Your Pleasure Brain

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on December 19, 2025

In a culture saturated with stress, outrage, and overdoing, pleasure isn’t indulgent—it’s a vital tool for nervous system regulation and emotional health. Healthy hedonism heals.

In a culture saturated with stress, outrage, and overdoing, pleasure isn’t indulgent—it’s a vital tool for nervous system regulation and emotional health. Healthy hedonism heals.

Self-Help

Mister Rogers and the Neuroscience of Kindness

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on October 1, 2025

Mister Rogers’ wisdom meets neuroscience: Kindness—especially self-kindness—calms the brain, soothes big feelings, and turns conflict into connection with courage and compassion.

Mister Rogers’ wisdom meets neuroscience: Kindness—especially self-kindness—calms the brain, soothes big feelings, and turns conflict into connection with courage and compassion.

Politics

Politics, Stress, the Brain, and Core Emotions

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on June 30, 2025

Differences in political beliefs appear to be rooted in brain differences in how we process emotion. Understanding our emotional wiring can reduce polarization and build empathy.

Differences in political beliefs appear to be rooted in brain differences in how we process emotion. Understanding our emotional wiring can reduce polarization and build empathy.

Sex

10 Ways Sexual Pleasure Benefits the Brain and Body

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on June 10, 2025

Boosting cognitive function, relieving pain, and more.

Boosting cognitive function, relieving pain, and more.

Dopamine

Pleasure Can Be Medicine

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on May 21, 2025

Pleasure is often dismissed as a luxury. But neuroscience tells a different story: Pleasure is essential for regulating stress, building resilience, and supporting mental health.

Pleasure is often dismissed as a luxury. But neuroscience tells a different story: Pleasure is essential for regulating stress, building resilience, and supporting mental health.

Sex

How Stress Is Hijacking Our Sex Lives

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on April 29, 2025

Is your sex life shrinking? Chronic stress and hormone disruption are killing our sex lives. It's not you—it's your nervous system. And, yes, there’s a path back to pleasure.

Is your sex life shrinking? Chronic stress and hormone disruption are killing our sex lives. It's not you—it's your nervous system. And, yes, there’s a path back to pleasure.

Stress

The Neuroscience of Uncertainty

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on April 11, 2025

When life feels shaky and uncertain, embracing discomfort rather than resisting it can rewire your brain and open the door to resilience, meaning, and unexpected grace.

When life feels shaky and uncertain, embracing discomfort rather than resisting it can rewire your brain and open the door to resilience, meaning, and unexpected grace.

Fear

Unfreezing Fear: Connection and Action Can Change Everything

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on March 25, 2025

Feeling stuck in fear? You’re not alone. Fear can shut us down, but we can break free. Here's how: Regulate, connect, and turn fear into action—because fear doesn’t win. We do.

Feeling stuck in fear? You’re not alone. Fear can shut us down, but we can break free. Here's how: Regulate, connect, and turn fear into action—because fear doesn’t win. We do.

Sex

From Oppression to Pleasure

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on February 6, 2025

Sexual liberation is about more than personal pleasure; it’s a path to equity, justice, and cultural transformation. Pleasure activism is more important now than ever.

Sexual liberation is about more than personal pleasure; it’s a path to equity, justice, and cultural transformation. Pleasure activism is more important now than ever.

Relationships

Tools for Navigating Big Feelings

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on December 3, 2024

Discover tools to manage tough emotions, navigate conflict, and build empathy. Learn to embrace discomfort for growth and strengthen connections in a divided world.

Discover tools to manage tough emotions, navigate conflict, and build empathy. Learn to embrace discomfort for growth and strengthen connections in a divided world.

Gratitude

Grateful, Not Grumpy During the Holidays

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on November 21, 2024

Thanksgiving can bring joy and stress. Staying calm, communicating well, and showing empathy can turn challenges into connections.

Thanksgiving can bring joy and stress. Staying calm, communicating well, and showing empathy can turn challenges into connections.

Sex

We Need to Talk About Sex Now More Than Ever

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on November 18, 2024

The silence around sexual health perpetuates stigma and misunderstanding. By talking about sex openly, we can enhance our collective well-being.

The silence around sexual health perpetuates stigma and misunderstanding. By talking about sex openly, we can enhance our collective well-being.

Anxiety

Struggling with Election Anxiety?

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on September 4, 2024

Election anxiety? If your brain is on fire from stress, step away from your devices, harness your attention, drop into your breath, and practice self-soothing.

Election anxiety? If your brain is on fire from stress, step away from your devices, harness your attention, drop into your breath, and practice self-soothing.

Anhedonia

Anxious, Depressed, Stressed?

Nan J. Wise Ph.D. on May 17, 2024

Anhedonia is the diminished ability to experience satisfying pleasures. The ability to experience healthy pleasures can be cultivated to restore overall well-being.

Anhedonia is the diminished ability to experience satisfying pleasures. The ability to experience healthy pleasures can be cultivated to restore overall well-being.