The Top 10 Positive Effects Sex Has on The Body and Mind
Why Having More Sex Is Always a Good Idea
According to Lisa Murdock, a certified sex therapist, “Sex is a total body experience, and when all systems are firing properly, sex can be a very positive experience for both the body and mind.”
Sexual intercourse releases a cocktail of hormones that can have positive effects on the body and mind. These hormones include oxytocin, which is sometimes called the “cuddle hormone” or the “love hormone” because it promotes bonding and intimacy; endorphins, which are hormones that block pain signals and produce a feeling of euphoria; and serotonin, which can help elevate mood.
In addition to the release of these feel-good hormones, sex can also offer some other health benefits. For example, sex can help to improve sleep quality, boost immunity, and reduce stress levels.
So, if you’re looking for a way to improve your overall health and well-being, you may want to consider adding more sex to your routine. As Murdock says, “Sex is not only good for you physically, but also good for you mentally and emotionally.”
Improves Mood
One of the most well-known benefits of sex is that it can improve your mood. Sexual activity can release endorphins, which are hormones that block pain signals and produce a feeling of euphoria.
These endorphins can help to reduce stress and anxiety, and they can also improve your mood and overall sense of well-being.
In addition to the release of endorphins, sex can also increase levels of oxytocin. Oxytocin is sometimes called the “cuddle hormone” or the “love hormone” because it promotes bonding and intimacy.
Oxytocin can help to reduce stress and anxiety, and it can also promote a sense of calm and relaxation.
Serotonin is another hormone that is released during sex. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood and levels of happiness.
When levels of serotonin are increased, it can help to improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.
In addition to promoting positive emotions, serotonin can also help to alleviate depression and anxiety. So, if you’re struggling with mental health issues, sex may be a helpful remedy.
Ups Your Libido
One of the most common complaints that Murdock hears from her clients is a low libido. “For many people, sex is the first thing to go when they’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed,” she says.
If you’re struggling with a low libido, Murdock recommends trying to have sex more often. “Frequency can help increase desire,” she says. “The more sex you have, the more you’ll want it.”
Murdock says that one of the reasons why this happens is because sex helps to increase levels of testosterone, which is a hormone that plays a key role in sexual desire.
In addition, orgasms release oxytocin, which can increase feelings of bonding and intimacy.
Natural Relaxant
Some people have an alcoholic beverage to relax. Others smoke weed. And some people get busy in the bedroom.
Yes, you read that correctly. Sex can serve as a natural relaxant.
When we are stressed, our bodies produce the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is often referred to as the “stress hormone” because it is released in response to stressful situations. Too much cortisol can lead to weight gain, anxiety, and depression.
It Can Boost Your Immune System
One of the most surprising benefits of sex is that it can help to boost your immune system. According to a study published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, people who had sex once or twice per week had higher levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) than those who had sex less often.
IgA is an antibody that helps to protect the body against infection, so having higher levels of it can help you to fight off colds and other illnesses.
In addition to the boost in IgA levels, sex can also help to reduce stress levels, which can have a positive impact on immunity.
When we’re stressed, our bodies release the hormone cortisol, which can suppress the immune system. So, by reducing stress levels, sex can indirectly help to boost immunity.
So if you’re looking to fight off that cold or flu, forget the vitamins or the medications, and have some sex instead!
Bonus tip
If you’re looking to boost your immune system even further, try having sex with a new partner.
A study published in the journal Psychological Science found that people who had sex with new partners had higher levels of antibodies than those who had sex with familiar partners. Go figure!
Lowers Your Blood Pressure
One of the most impressive health benefits of sex is its ability to lower blood pressure. In fact, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, sexual activity can lower diastolic blood pressure by an average of 3.5 points.
This is because having regular sex can increase testosterone levels and nitric oxide production, both of which have blood-pressure-lowering effects.
In addition, sex can also trigger the release of serotonin and endorphins, which not only bring about feelings of pleasure, but can also help to reduce stress levels, which can also help to lower blood pressure.
Burns Calories
While sex may not be able to replace your regular exercise routine, it can certainly help you burn a few extra calories.
In fact, according to one estimate, sexual intercourse burns approximately 85 calories per half-hour. And depending on how wild and energetic you get, you could end up burning even more.
Plus, sex is a great way to get your heart rate up and improve your cardiovascular health. A study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing found that people who had sex three times or more per week were less likely to develop heart disease than those who had sex less often.
Natural Pain Reliever
One of the most surprising benefits of sex is that it can act as a natural pain reliever. This is because sex releases endorphins, which block pain signals and produce a feeling of euphoria.
Sex can also help to reduce inflammation and improve circulation
So, if you’re dealing with pain from arthritis, a headache, or menstrual cramps, you may want to try having sex as a way to ease your discomfort.
Helps With Sleep
One of the most common complaints among adults is difficulty sleeping. According to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly 50 million Americans suffer from insomnia each year.
While there are a number of different sleep aids on the market, you may be surprised to learn that sex can also be an effective way to improve sleep quality.
A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that sexual activity before sleep was associated with higher levels of the sleep-promoting hormone prolactin and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
The study’s authors concluded that sexual activity “might represent a useful strategy to improve sleep quality, possibly by modulating hormone levels.”
So, if you’re struggling to get a good night’s rest, you may want to consider adding sex to your nightly routine.
Stress reducer
As mentioned several times earlier in this article, one of the main benefits of sex is that it can help to reduce stress levels. It does this in a number of ways.
Firstly, having sex can cause the release of oxytocin, endorphins, and serotonin, which are all hormones that have stress-relieving properties.
Secondly, orgasms can help to reduce stress by inducing a state of deep relaxation. In fact, one study found that orgasms can increase levels of progesterone, a hormone that is known to have calming and sleep-promoting effects.
Thirdly, sex can help to reduce stress by providing a distraction from the everyday worries of life. When you focus on the physical and emotional sensations of sex, it can be difficult to focus on anything else. This can provide temporary relief from stressors like work deadlines, relationship problems, and financial worries.
And finally, regular sex can help to reduce stress by providing a sense of connection and intimacy with your partner. This can be especially beneficial if you are in a long-term, committed relationship. And healthy relationships are natural remedies to the stress we face every day in life.
Strengthens relationships
And touching on the final point in the previous sections, in addition to the physical and mental health benefits of sex, sex can help to strengthen relationships.
When two people have sex, they are physically and emotionally intimate with each other. This physical and emotional closeness can help to build trust and intimacy in the relationship.
Sex can also help to improve communication in the relationship. Couples who are sexually active often find that they are more comfortable communicating with each other about their wants and needs.
And finally, sex can help to increase the overall satisfaction with the relationship. Studies have shown that couples who have a healthy and active sex life tend to be more satisfied with their relationship than couples who do not have sex or have a less active sex life.
Final Thoughts
Overall, there are many positive effects of having sex on the body and mind. Sex can help to release feel-good hormones, improve sleep quality, boost immunity, and reduce stress levels.
So, if you’re looking for a way to improve your overall health and well-being, you may want to consider adding more sex to your routine. And to keep things fun, try experimenting with different sexual positions to maintain the excitement.
And while sex certainly has its benefits, it’s important to remember that it’s not the only way to improve your health. As Murdock says, “It’s important to have a well-rounded life and not put all your eggs in one basket.”
So, be sure to include other healthy activities in your life, such as regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and spending time with loved ones.
