Sexual arousal is a psychophysiological response that is initiated by the presence of sexually stimulating cues. Its primary purpose is to motivate the individual to pursue sexual activities that might produce pleasure and successful reproductive outcomes. It involves multiple physiological processes, including various hormonal triggers, neuronal excitation, physical reactions, and associated cognitive reactions. In particular, sexual arousal represents an anticipatory psychophysiological response cycle that helps to orient both the body and mind to become sexually receptive and sexually energized. On the psychosocial level, it is an interactive process of learning and responding that helps to establish a feeling of connection and intimacy with a partner.

See also: peak experience, altered state, hedonic engineering, non-ordinary state