Most people assume that if pleasure feels good, our bodies will naturally want more of it. But what if receiving pleasure is actually a skill?

We introduce the concept of pleasure tolerance aka. our capacity to experience, sustain and integrate pleasure without becoming overwhelmed, disconnected, self-conscious, guilty or emotionally flooded.

Drawing from neuroscience, nervous system regulation, attachment theory, sexuality research and personal experience, we explore why many people unconsciously limit their own pleasure and what it takes to expand our capacity for deeper intimacy, sensation, joy and connection.

We investigate the hidden ways we sabotage pleasure, including performance anxiety, self-monitoring, shame, hypervigilance, emotional defenses and nervous system responses that make receiving feel unsafe. Through relatable examples and practical insights, we are invited to develop a more compassionate understanding of our relationship with pleasure and our body's protective mechanisms.

Topics explored include:

• What pleasure tolerance is and why it matters

• The neuroscience of pleasure and reward

• Nervous system regulation and erotic capacity

• Why receiving can feel more difficult than giving

• Shame, guilt, self-consciousness and performance anxiety

• Attachment styles and their impact on intimacy

• Common ways people sabotage pleasure

• Expanding your capacity for sensation, connection and orgasm

• Practical approaches for cultivating greater presence and embodiment

This talk offers a fresh perspective on why pleasure isn't simply something that happens to us, it's something we learn to receive.