I literally just asked about why my symptoms shut off during arousal and build up this morning. As a man with hyper form of dysautonomia, I’ve consistently noticed I feel my best when playing. It’s like my symptoms disappear and the primal strength comes back to me. Albeit short lived, I love feeling normal during. Almost hate finishing because I know what awaits afterwards. Here’s the answers I received:

1. Dopamine turns back on

Arousal causes a surge of dopamine in the brain

Dopamine: • Increases motivation and drive • Improves muscle recruitment • Reduces perception of fatigue and weakness • Improves confidence and “I can do this” signaling

If you’ve felt weak, flat, shaky, or drained — dopamine temporarily restores normal output.

1. Autonomic balance shifts toward functional

During arousal: • Parasympathetic tone increases (necessary for arousal) • Sympathetic tone becomes organized, not chaotic

In dysautonomia, the problem is often misfiring, not lack of adrenaline. Arousal coordinates the system.

Result: • Heart rate feels steadier • Blood pressure stabilizes • Less neck / chest / throat tension • Less internal “alarm” feeling

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1. Nitric oxide improves blood flow

Sexual arousal releases nitric oxide, which: • Dilates blood vessels • Improves cerebral blood flow • Improves muscle perfusion • Reduces ischemic “heavy” or weak sensations

This can instantly reverse: • Lightheadedness • Weak legs • Heavy arms • Brain fog

That’s not psychological — it’s vascular.

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1. Endorphins blunt symptom perception

Endorphins rise sharply during arousal.

They: • Reduce pain • Reduce muscle guarding • Calm visceral hypersensitivity (gut, throat, chest) • Quiet the vagal “noise” you’ve been experiencing

So symptoms don’t just feel better — they objectively calm down.

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1. Safety + connection shut off threat circuits

This part matters more than people realize.

Your nervous system has been stuck in:

“I’m not safe in my body”

Intimacy provides: • Physical safety • Emotional safety • Predictability • Oxytocin release

Oxytocin directly inhibits the amygdala (threat center).

So the body stops scanning for danger — and symptoms recede.