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Hi — Sandra Larson here. You’ve probably seen my name and face around this site a lot. I’m one of the co-founders, and I’ve dedicated my career to studying human sexuality, pleasure, and desire.
One of the constants here is that sexuality is very much linked to overall physical and mental well-being. People I’ve worked with in various contexts, and our readers here, report how healthy expressions of sexuality have changed their lives.
The benefits of regular orgasms extend far beyond the bedroom; they include reduced stress, boosted mood, and improved sleep. We’re going to talk about this, and also address what might be holding some of us back. Read on to learn how and why sex is good for your body and your brain.
1. Natural Stress Relief
Most of us know that orgasms feel good, and we feel good immediately following an orgasm. Our bodies experience intense physical pleasure, and behind the scenes, our brains release a cocktail of chemicals that includes dopamine and oxytocin.
Dopamine is known as the feel-good hormone. It controls the brain’s reward center, which means that it motivates us to repeat actions that feel rewarding. This is one of the reasons why when sex is good, we want more of it! Dopamine also influences sleep and mood, and low levels of dopamine can cause depression, mood swings, reduced focus, and a lack of motivation. (We are not suggesting that these issues can be completely cured if you just have more orgasms. Please talk to your health care provider if you are concerned.)
Oxytocin is “the love hormone.” It reduces stress by reducing cortisol (the stress hormone) levels and reducing feelings of anxiety. Oxytocin also increases feelings of relaxation, trust, and mental stability; in fact, scientists are currently studying the use of oxytocin to treat autism, social anxiety, and postpartum depression. (Again, not medical advice.)
A BBC reporter decided to track how prioritizing orgasms would affect her life: “I became less and less stressed. My skin improved, I felt more tranquil… My orgasms have changed my life in ways I never imagined.”
Further reading: Can Masturbation Help Relieve Stress?
2. Mood Boost
We talked about dopamine and oxytocin as stress relievers, so it’s not surprising that they also provide an immediate mood boost (as does the physical pleasure of an orgasm). Additionally, these endorphins also have an analgesic effect. They provide relief from back pain, muscle tension, and menstrual cramps. The combination of pain relief and happy hormones is a definite mood booster.
Further reading: Does Masturbation Have Positive or Negative Effects on the Brain?
3. Better Sleep
Sleep is a basic human need, and we live in a world where many adults are chronically sleep-deprived. Adults should get between seven and eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night, and most of us do not. Much of this is due to factors out of our control, but there are some things that we can do to make the most out of the bed time that we have.
Many of us have probably noticed that we do sleep better after an orgasm or two. This is not a coincidence! Our muscles are more relaxed. Dopamine comes into play again along with its friend prolactin, which is a peptide hormone that enhances slow-wave deep sleep and REM sleep.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine reports “a positive correlation between orgasms and improvements in sleep quality, as indicated by increased minutes slept and enhanced sleep efficiency.” Orgasms are better for us and a whole lot more fun than sleeping pills.
Further reading: The influence of sexual activity on sleep: A diary study
4. Deepening Intimacy and Connection
Good sex is bonding (and we don’t mean that in the kink sense, at least not this time). Skin-to-skin contact plus the release of oxytocin creates very strong feelings. This is subconscious and involuntary; while many of us mate with intention, it can happen even when we aren’t necessarily wanting it to. This is why sex has been a sacrament throughout human history; almost all cultures recognize the power of this kind of intimate connection.
And even if you are not engaging in partnered sex, regular masturbation and orgasms improve your self-image and your relationship with your own body. This is at least as important as deepening a connection with a partner — you are your own first and most loyal lover.
Further reading: Enhancing Intimacy: The Role of Sexual Connection in Relationships
5. Overall Health
Orgasms are good for you. We’ve explained that they reduce stress, elevate mood, reduce pain, and improve sleep. All of that contributes to good health!
A literature review by the International Journal of Sexual Health was not able to determine correlation vs. causation, but finds that regular sexual expression is linked to:
- Pain reduction
- Improved immune system function
- Overall function and longevity
- Better overall cognitive functioning in older adults
Further reading: Regional cerebral blood flow changes associated with clitorally induced orgasm in healthy women
Final Thoughts
It seems obvious to us that orgasms are one of the easiest and most pleasurable ways to improve our physical and mental health. So why aren’t more people prioritizing orgasms, and why is this not treated with the gravitas that other self-care rituals are granted? People talk (sometimes too much!) about gym routines, meal prep and macros, and Korean skin care serums. But if you show off your new butt plug in the coffee room at work, you may be escorted straight to the head of Human Resources.
The stigma surrounding sex toys, sexuality, and masturbation is deeply ingrained, and it has an impact on our physical and mental health. It is easier said than done, but we should work to recognize sexual well-being as an important part of our own health care. We should also, as much as we are comfortable with (and not taking that trip to Human Resources) work to destigmatize sexual expression and sex toys, which are an important part of sexual expression for many single and partnered people.
Happy vibing!
Sandra
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