The question seems to assume that having an orgasm is the best thing in life — a feeling that I (and probably many others) do not share, as much as I think that having an orgasm and sexual activities are nice, fun, and exciting. I feel the best things in life are: feeling truly happy, feeling excited, smiling, being in love, having insights (as when solving mathematical problems), playing music, doing meditation, and a long list of "joys." I feel that life is a great gift. Having orgasms is pretty low on my list; my best memories from life do not involve having orgasms. And it's not that I don't like sex or anything; on the contrary, having an orgasm is also great!
- age 26, Poland
This Week's Wackiest Response:
Cauliflower. Lots and lots of cauliflower.
- age 19, Massachusetts
My music, without a doubt. It's like a drug that lifts my emotions to great heights and can give me a rush that's similar to an orgasm. Many times it's better, because I can listen to music and be aroused for hours, rather than those few seconds from an orgasm. Music also makes people horny in many cases, anyway. A true Tool fan knows and feels a unique sexual energy within their music that may lead to great masturbating or great sex on the right day. All in all, music is my source of therapy, indulgment, expression, and perhaps my true love on this earth. I'm not sure where I would be without it.
- age 23, New York
When I hit a drive 275 yards and it lands right on my target. In fact, I would rather hit a nice drive. Orgasms are easy to come by; the middle of the fairway is not.
- age 57, Illinois
A back massage.
- age 23, Louisiana
Ranked in order: 1. Dark bittersweet chocolate. 2. A great non-sexual massage that works all the kinks out of my back and shoulders. 3. Reading a really good spy novel. 4. Enjoying a super sunset or sunrise with lots of clouds and all the changes in color. 5. Reaching inside my pants when I'm alone and just feeling and squeezing my oldest friend. 6. Who am I kidding? Everything else is totally pale by comparison. There's nothing like having an orgasm. As Mae West said, "Even the worst one I ever had was wonderful!"
- age 65, California
Taking a pee after you've held it in for about 3 hours.
- age 16, Massachusetts
The pleasure I get when various things click in my brain and I finally understand something. It happens all the time, since I'm always learning something — so in that sense, it's like a whole series of orgasms!
- age 41, Florida
Snowboarding and mosh-pitting. When I'm done with either of those, I feel a heady endorphin high so great that the only thing I could compare it to is that "post-orgasm relaxed" feeling.
- age 20, New York
A great musical listening experience! Saint-Saens Symphony #3, Marian Anderson singing Schubert's "Der Erlkonig," the duet from "The Pearl Fishers" with Juissi Bjoerling as the tenor, to name a few.
- age 64, California
Eating an incredibly delicious dessert — it's like an orgasm of the mouth.
- age 26, Ontario, Canada
The next best thing to an orgasm would be playing a concert with my band. Going crazy and losing control is all that I need. At some times, it's even better than an orgasm
- age 18, Wisconsin
Being with my girlfriend. Just being with her — no sexual contact.
- age 16, California
A good, hard laugh, the kind where your sides hurt and you can't see because your eyes are so watery.
- age 18, Illinois
Taking a shower. I don't know why, but just taking a nice warm shower is almost orgasmic.
- age 34, Pennsylvania
That would have to be the feeling of creating successful music. Music is my passion, and being able to create music and sing a song well is something that creates an intense moment of happiness and satisfaction, much like an orgasm.
- age 17, Australia
Having my husband give me a full-body massage. He has the most "talented" hands of any man I've ever known.
- age 45, California (female)
Making a good photograph.
- age 23, Minnesota
The best non-sexual thing would have to be flying the FA-18 Super Hornet. Knowing that you are flying in one of the fastest, most powerful machines is awesome. Plus, trying to land one on a ship is a thrill in itself.
- age 28, Florida
Mahler's Symphony No. 1 in D "Titan" — multiple orgasms. Need I say more?
- age 18, Illinois
For me, it has to be writing stories. Whenever I write something and receive nothing but good thoughts, the elation is second only to a full-blown orgasm. Next would be kicking around someone skilled at video games.
- age 20, Florida
I think the closest thing to orgasm has to be the feeling of lying in a really warm bath with candles all around and having a really nice chocolate bar.
- age 14, United Kingdom (female)
The high I get after running a race — that feeling of achievement, of having persevered all the way to the finish line, makes you forget all the pain you experience during the actual race — all 3, 6, 10, or 26 miles — so that all you remember is the final rush and the flow of endorphins to your brain. It's what makes competitive running worth it! You get this feeling in small doses when you do any strenuous exercise, but it's never so intense as when you're in race mode and pushing yourself to your physical and mental limits.
- age 20, United Kingdom (female)
I have an exceptionally hairy back that itches all the time. When someone scratches my back for me, it is almost as good as an orgasm.
- age 40, California
Listening to a live symphony orchestra right in the concert hall — no doubt about it — is a sight-and-sound experience that equates to a long-awaited orgasm.
- age 54, New Jersey
Falling in love.
- age 21, New York
The first thing that came to mind is the head-snapping, gut-stirring acceleration of my 1968 Oldsmobile show car when I mash the accelerator. The distinctive sound of the exhaust roar as the 455-cubic-inch engine's 4-barrel carburetor opens wide, and the squeal of the tires, may not be orgasmic, but I think some of my passengers have nearly wet their pants. All I need now is one of those signs that says, "Get in, buckle your seatbelt, shut up, and hang on!"
- age 62, Michigan
Either my best friend falling asleep on me, or me falling asleep on my best friend — it calms me down and makes me feel loved.
- age 14, California
Running a big steam locomotive at 90 miles per hour.
- age 86, Ohio
The tingly feeling you get when you give someone a gift.
- age 14, Iowa
Helping someone accomplish a difficult task.
- age 50, Louisiana
Sleeping next to the one you love. Cuddled up close, feeling their warmth, listening to them breathe as they sleep — nothing compares to that.
- age 21, Michigan
Having a boiling hot shower on a freezing cold day (especially after football) or a freezing cold shower on a boiling hot day. It's a long way from orgasm, but it's still pretty good.
- age 15, Australia
There is one experience that is better than orgasm for me. Since God created sexual pleasure, the one experience better than that is that one-on-one experience I can have with God himself. He is my creator and friend, and I am glad He created orgasm for our enjoyment — second only to being close to Him.
- age 43, Massachusetts
A sneeze that creeps up on you slowly, that at first you don't think will happen but then becomes unavoidable and you have to give into it. Or, a good, large, bowel movement that you give into and release all at once. Or, a really, really good night's sleep.
- age 38, Delaware
That stomach churning, heart-pounding feeling you get, when you see someone you really like — especially when it appears they might also like you. That's fantastic.
- age 18, United Kingdom
Without a doubt, it would be skiing. Even after 25 years of skiing I never get tired of it. The freedom and exhilaration that skiing provides is equal to or greater than that of masturbation. I know this may be hard for many readers to understand, but for me it is true.
- age 32, Pennsylvania
White-water kayaking.
- age 28, Massachusetts
A hug from my son.
- age 45, Arizona
Jumping off a cliff and landing in a lake, or something similar.
- age 19, Georgia
Spending a long day doing trekking in the mountains. When I go there, I leave all my porn at home. The fact that I can make this sacrifice shows how much I enjoy walking on mountain paths!
- age 40, Belgium
While backpacking in New Zealand, I did a skydive in Taupo. I can honestly say that falling out of an airplane with the world under you and the sky above you is the next best thing!
- age 20, The Netherlands
Swimming in the nude — definitely. When I was younger, it was definitely a sexual thing, but now it's a sensual pleasure. I rarely ever get an erection swimming nude; it's just comfortable and enjoyable.
- age 36, United Kingdom
Helping less-fortunate people.
- age 16, Indiana
Going over the top of a roller coaster and feeling weightless for a second. That butterflies-in-the-tummy feeling is similar to orgasm.
- age 56, California
Being onstage. I'm an actor, and the visceral feelings before I go onstage, and while I'm there, is almost a proxy to orgasm — the build-up of tension, growing more and more intense, before a nearly ethereal explosion once I'm on.
- age 19, Oregon
Sharing a special moment with a friend — of either gender. Such a special moment could be of many types: such as sharing an past experience that enables a friend to gain insight into a vexing problem, gladly helping out someone in genuine need, or being one of first people a friend informs of an forthcoming promotion, baby, or serious problem.
- age 65, California
Sleeping.
- age 20, New York