Sex studies reveal mounting health benefits of having an orgasm
Sex can be a wonderful rush for our bodies. It can invigorate our mind, engulf our emotions, and make us feel, act or say things in ways we never thought were possible.
Sex to some is a way to show their love and affection for another person, while to others, it is a perfect ending to a long day or night.
Whichever fits you best, sex can be a good thing in many ways because it feels good and allows us to free our minds from worry.
But did you know that that steamy recreational activity of passion can help your body’s senses as well?
A study conducted by Queens University in Belfast, Ireland, found that sex on a regular basis is not only healthy for our bodies but also improves our overall length of life.
The study was published in 1997 in the British Medical Journal and tracked the mortality of about 1,000 middle-aged men over the course of a decade. The study compared men of comparable age and health and found that men who had the highest frequency of orgasm had a death rate half that of the other men who did not orgasm frequently.
“Who would have ever thought that having lots of orgasms would be the end result of a long life? Not me,” said Alex Leong, a junior integrative physiology major.
While the specifics are not yet certain, data and research is growing in support of several perks that seem to be the result of an active sex life.
An improved sense of smell seems to be one of the first benefits of sex. According to Alan Farnham’s “Is Sex Necessary” on forbes.com, the production of the hormone prolactin surges through a person’s body after sex. This causes stem cells in the brain to develop new neurons in the brain’s olfactory bulb, its smell center, which will enhance a person’s sense of smell.
Along with an enhanced sense of smell, the study determined that sex can act as a pain relief mechanism in a person’s body. Farnham wrote that immediately before orgasm, levels of the hormone oxytocin surge up to five times its normal level, which releases endorphins. Endorphins alleviate pain from everything as minor as a headache to more serious pain such as arthritis or even migraines.
So next time your girlfriend or boyfriend tells you that they are not in the mood because they have a headache, maybe explain to them the good that sex could do for their headache.
“I think that there are a lot of health benefits from sex, and I even think it is kind of funny to hear it can act as a pain relief for headaches because now a woman’s secret may be out,” said Megan Kasch, a senior sociology and women’s studies major.
Sex can also be a major source of energy and workout in some cases, therefore reducing the risk of heart disease and promoting weight loss as concluded by the study.
According to Farnham’s article, a vigorous session of sex burns some 200 calories, which is about the same as running 15 minutes on a treadmill.
Sex not only burns calories but is also proven to help increase blood flow to a person’s brain and to all other organs of your body.
In the summer of 2000, Urban magazine published an article detailing how increased heart rate and deep breathing improve circulation. This puts fresh blood into your cells, organs and muscles.
According to Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, sex can also help reduce a person’s risk of cold and flu. Individuals who have sex once or twice a week show 30 percent higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A, which boosts the immune system.
“I think the possibilities of sex and what it can do for a person’s body is so interesting because it is seen as so taboo in many aspects, but now that research is beginning to prove that sex can be a good thing, I wonder what people will have to say now,” Leong said.
Another positive health benefit of sex is the reduction of stress and the improvement of sleep in a person’s life. After the act of sex in which an orgasm is reached by either male or female, this is one of the few times people can actually completely relax, according to Urban magazine.
A person usually becomes tired after sex, and it is indicated that you sleep more deeply and restfully after a satisfying sexual experience. This gets you out of the busy mindset and allows you to let go of any distracting thoughts you may be holding onto.
“I imagine there are different hormones that are released in a person’s body during and after sex,” Kasch said. “But I also think that sometimes regular exercise can provide these benefits without some of the emotional baggage that may come in the end from sex.”
Considering regular exercise can help a person’s health in many ways, what could be better than using sex as your means of exercise and immune system booster?
Remember to always enjoy yourselves, think about your health and safety first. Go out there and be safe, protect yourself and know that sex can be a good thing.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Elizabeth Stortroen at Elizabeth.Stortroen@thecampuspress.com.
