Post-nut clarity is a term describing the feeling of being clear-headed or mentally "reset" after orgasm in sexual intercourse or masturbation.[1] Feelings of disgust with oneself, as well as guilt, have also been associated with the term.[2][3] Disgust and regret with the act of intercourse or with one's sexual partner has also been documented.[4]
The word "nut" is found in the slang phrase busting a nut, which refers to an orgasm.[5] The term "post-nut clarity" has been noted to be particularly used in online discussions.[2][3][6] The term has been spuriously credited to Alexandra Cooper and Sofia Franklyn of the Call Her Daddy podcast, where it was mentioned in 2018.[3][7] However, the term's usage and discussion on Reddit has been documented to predate the podcast.[6] GQ reported that one Twitter user posted about the term in 2012.[8] The term could be traced back to 2009 in Urban Dictionary.[citation needed] On the Japanese textboard 2channel, the term kenjataimu or "sage time",[4] referring to the same concept, appeared as early as October 2007.[9]
The phrase has been referenced in songs by Drake and Alemeda.[4]
Various Internet media writers have described "post-nut clarity" as akin to an "aha" moment for men following intercourse.[10] Media coverage of post-nut clarity often associates men with being able to anecdotally relate to having experienced it,[11] though women have also been documented experiencing the phenomenon.[7][5]
While noted as similar to post-coital dysphoria (or post-coital tristesse), post-nut clarity has been discussed as a different phenomenon.[4] Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, a professor of relational and sexual communication at Cal State Fullerton has stated "The scientific studies are talking about post-coital dysphoria as a condition. It has nothing to do with the misogynistic connotation that some young men are using in a misguided way."[4]