Forget About Your Psychoanalyst, Just Have More Sex!

A recent psychological study has shown that sexual intercourse reduces stress and increases the capacity to deal with stressful situations. Why it is so remains debatable, but the empiric evidence seems quite solid.

Stuart Brody, a psychologist at the University of Paisley, UK, has subjected to a stress test involving public speaking and mental arithmetic out loud, a group of 24 women and 22 men. In order to determine stress, Brody measured their blood pressure. The men and women were asked to keep a record of their various sexual activities: penile-vaginal intercourse, masturbation, sexual activity excluding intercourse but, nevertheless, with a partner, or no sexual activity at all.

The results were that the least stressed individuals were the ones who only had sexual intercourse (without other types of sexual activity). Their blood pressure also returned to normal faster. The people who abstained from any kind of sexual activity were the most stressed and their return to normal state also took longest. Thus, although masturbation may be better that abstention, sexual intercourse is definitely the most relaxing solution.

In order to be sure that the reaction to stress was indeed connected to sexual activities, Brody also tested the subjects for various forms of neuroticism, anxiety, work stress and asked them how satisfied they are in their relationships. The connection between sex and stress still stood firm.

According to Brody, "the effects are not attributable simply to the short-term relief afforded by orgasm, but rather, endure for at least a week." But why does sex have this effect? The scientist speculates that maybe the release of the hormone oxytocin is responsible for the calming effect.

Cartoon credit: John Landers