Does sex reduce anxiety? New research suggests that having sex might not only reduce anxiety but also reverse the effects of long term stress.
It is well established in anxiety research circles that people who suffered a trauma or are under adverse stress for any extended period of time are more likely to suffer from anxiety and mood disorders as well. It is also fairly well established that negative stress reduces the replacement and regrowth of cells in the areas of the brain connected to the regulation of anxiety (emotional regulation) and reduces the normal functioning of those areas (hippocampus and amygdala). In other words long term negative stress physically changes our brain and the way it functions making anxiety more prevalent and harder to control.
It has long been thought by neuro-scientists that the key to this appears to be a hormone called glucocorticoids also known as the stress hormone. Glucocorticoids or GC’s bind to glucocorticoids receptor which are present in just about every cell in the human (and indeed every vertebrate animals) body. GC’s are a major part of our immune system. When we are under stress the body produces more GC’s. Over production of GC’s have been linked to problems like Heart disease, depression, diabetes, obesity, immune dysfunction, learning disorders, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome to name but a few.
A new study published last month* looked at whether sexual activity
- reduced GC levels in rats,
- changed the functioning of the areas of the brain associated with anxiety regulation, and
- reduced anxiety driven behaviour in anyway .
The researchers from The Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University found that having sexual activity once a day for 14 consecutive days did not reduce the GC levels significantly. However it did significantly increase the neuronal functioning of the hippocampus and amygdala and considerably reduced anxiety driven behaviour in the subjects. So whilst it doesn’t reduce the CG level sexual activity does appear to stop many of the negative effects of increased GC’s in the system. In short sex reduces anxiety and minimises the effects of stress on us. But why if the GC levels aren’t reduced?
Exercise often has a positive effect on anxiety and stress as well, but only if the individual gets satisfaction from the exercise. In other words if we think something is enjoyable it will help, if not it won’t. GC’s work in a very complex way in some instances make things worse and in others make them better. It would appear that engaging in what an individual considers to be hedonistic or enjoyable may change the effect stress hormones has on us. It may be that we can reduce many of the effects of stress has on by engaging in things we find enjoyable, like sex.
Stressed? Anxious? Take sex once a day for 14 days. Come back and see me if the symptoms persist, we might have to increase the dose.
*Leuner B, Glasper ER, & Gould E (2010) Sexual Experience Promotes Adult Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus Despite an Initial Elevation in Stress Hormones. PLoS ONE 5(7): e11597. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0011597
