The Function of the Orgasm by Wilhelm Reich

Wilhelm Reich was one of the most influential thinkers of the Sexual-Political Revolution of the 1960s. He made significant contributions to psychoanalysis, particularly concerning sexuality.

In this article, we will briefly summarize what Reich meant by "The Function of the Orgasm," as this work still holds considerable influence today and helps us rethink our relationship with sexuality.

Background

Wilhelm Reich was born in the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of the 19th century. From an early age, he was interested in the ideas of Sigmund Freud, excelling in psychoanalysis and becoming a close collaborator of the discipline’s founder.

Particularly interested in sexuality, Reich soon found himself at odds with his mentor. Initially, this was due to Reich's active communist militancy and also because of his opposition to certain Freudian postulates.

Initially, psychoanalytic theory maintained that libido (sexual desire/pleasure) was the main driver of human actions, an idea Reich agreed with. However, Freud diminished the importance of libido by introducing the concept of Thanatos, the death drive or the desire to abandon the struggle of life, as the second motivator of actions. This led to the dichotomy in psychoanalysis.

Reich maintained his stance regarding sexuality, placing it at the center of human life and, according to his critics, becoming radicalized.

The Function of the Orgasm

Among Reich’s many theories, one of the most notable is the function of the orgasm.

In his studies, Reich concluded that the primary issue for patients with neurosis was a complete and frequent lack of sexual satisfaction—a full sexual life, essentially. For Reich, complete sexual satisfaction primarily involved the release of tension through orgasm.

He explained that sexual desire is a bioelectrical process and that orgasm consists of mechanical tension, bioelectrical charge, bioelectrical discharge, and mechanical relaxation. In simpler terms, the main phases leading to orgasm would be: first, arousal; then tension; followed by the release of that tension during orgasm; and finally, physical and mental relaxation.

For Reich, mental and physical problems were intrinsically linked, believing that all psychological issues were connected with a physical problem and vice versa.

"We are energy-accumulating machines, and this energy needs to be regulated."

Reich also believed that tension was not only produced during sexual activity; repression and certain events in our daily lives generate tension that is never released. This unresolved tension translates into psychological ailments and chronic physical illnesses, which can and should be avoided by discharging this tension through orgasm.

Another concept Reich brought to light was erogenous zones, which have different sensitivity levels compared to other parts of the body. Stimulating these areas can more easily lead to the release of accumulated tension. Today, we know that these are more sensitive regions, such as the lips, forehead, earlobes, anus, penis, and vulva, among others, though they can vary for each person.

Conclusion

The last years of Reich's life were not very pleasant, first escaping Nazism as a Jewish person and then being persecuted for his political and sexual ideals in the United States. However, his contributions to the study of sexuality set a precedent that would greatly influence future generations. We cannot deny how influential his contributions were to the concept of free love and the pursuit of sexual pleasure as a way to live life to the fullest.

"The Function of the Orgasm" is considered a canonical book of the Sexual Revolution.

If you want to learn more, you can read this BBC article or delve directly into Wilhelm Reich's book The Function of the Orgasm and draw your own conclusions.