Why Do Sex-Based Wellness Groups Feel So Magnetic?

"It started out like many wellness programs with the promise of deeper connection and transformative healing. For years, One Taste, a wellness brand offering "orgasmic meditation"-OM-as a gateway to mindfulness, intimacy, and self-growth, was featured in major media outlets like The New York Times. Then, in June 2025, One Taste's leaders were found guilty of forced labor, after prosecutors argued that employees were pressured into unpaid work and unwanted experiences."

"Their defense? Everything was about consent and personal transformation. Members were free to leave at any time. If you've read headlines or dipped into Ellen Huet's new exposé Empire of Orgasm, you know this story isn't simple. One Taste's courses drew in thousands of participants, some of whom describe remarkable transformation. Others, however, report manipulation, control, and emotional pain that seemed impossible to shake-even after walking away."

"So why do sexual or spiritually oriented groups exert such a magnetic pull? Why do some people feel hooked, even when things turn sour? Psychology and neuroscience give us some essential clues. OM isn't your average meditation class. The practice involves a set routine, paired partner interactions, intense focus on physical and emotional sensations, and a group culture built around regular practice sessions. Supporters say it fosters presence, body awareness, and personal growth."

"Critics say the power dynamics can be tricky, and the sense of belonging can tip into emotional dependence. Neuroscience shows why this matters. Any experience that blends pleasure, novelty, and focused attention activates dopamine-the same brain chemical linked to motivation and habit. Sexual touch and close physical connection also trigger oxytocin and natural opioids, which reinforce trust, bonding, and relief from stress (Georgiadis et al., 2006; Carmichael et al., 1987; Murphy et al., 2018)."

One Taste promoted orgasmic meditation (OM) as a path to mindfulness, intimacy, and self-growth and grew a large following through courses and media exposure. Leaders were convicted of forced labor amid allegations that employees were pressured into unpaid work and unwanted experiences while leaders insisted practices were consensual. Participants reported both profound personal transformation and experiences of manipulation, control, and lasting emotional harm. OM combines structured rituals, partner interactions, and focused attention that foster belonging and repeated practice. Neuroscience shows pleasure, novelty, and attention release dopamine, while sexual touch triggers oxytocin and endogenous opioids, reinforcing trust, bonding, and habit formation that can enable dependence.

Read at Psychology Today