Some say, based on giant theories such as Charles Darwin and Sigmund Freudthat everything starts and ends with him. It is the phenomenon that perpetuates the species, instigates creativity, awakens passions and mobilizes much of the conflict at home (and in the world). Sex has probably been the sphere of life most practiced and covert throughout history. A paradox that dictated the rules of the mind and body, often guided by religious institutions.
From sin to pleasure, the activity only began to arouse a real interest in medicine in the nineteenth century, when some curious decided to look beyond reproduction and diseases that spread through the act. With Freud, in the change of era, sexual relations left the shadows and began to free themselves from moral bonds. And it was precisely with the counterculture, in the 1970s, that scientists began to explore, with less modesty, but still dealing with prejudices, the physiological and psychological nuances of the moments between two people. Since then, the world, drugs and sex themselves have changed. And now, new research has consolidated their importance for human vigor and happiness.
The most recent and ambitious effort in this regard came from a recent and solid study that analyzed data of 15,794 Americans between 20 and 59 years to try to clarify once and for all an old debate: after all, what is the ideal frequency to improve mental health? The researchers discovered that having sex once or twice a week protects the mind and helps prevent depression. The hypothesis from which the researchers left was that: “While sexual activity benefits physical health, its relationship with psychological well -being has been less studied. We propose the hypothesis that a lower self -decreased sexual frequency would be independently associated with a greater probability of depression,” explain the researchers Mutong Cheng, Ruibin Yi and Zhongfu Zhang in it Journal of APFFECTIVE Disorders.
Why did the researchers go to the relationship of sex with at least one aspect of mental health? Because the World Foad study of the year 2021 stands out to depression as an important challenge for public health, with years lived with disabilities estimated at 713 per 100,000 inhabitants, a prevalence rate of 4.212 per 100,000 and an incidence rate of 4,529 per 100,000.
“We have known for decades the bidirectional relationship between mental and sexual health, but the great novelty of this analysis was to be able to demonstrate an adequate frequency,” says the psychiatrist Carmita Abdo, teacher of the University of San Pablo (Brazil). Of course, the conclusion does not offer a magical formula: there is a whole context that must be taken into account so that sex is therapeutic. Indicators such as this can fluctuate over time and at different historical moments. What does not change, as several recent studies have demonstrated, is the close relationship between sexual relations and mental health.
“Regardless of sexual orientation, sexual activity offers benefits such as greater well-being and quality of life, which significantly impacts mental health,” says the study.
In the case of depression, a recent study with more than 2,400 patients confirms that almost half did not respond properly to medication. Side effects (even in libido), low adherence to treatment and even abandoning it are a reality. That is why the importance of good habits to improve mental health is reinforced. One of them is physical activity, another leading healthy eating. And, not least, sex also influences.
Biochemistry explains it. Sex causes the brain to release neurotransmitters that affect mood and energy, such as oxytocin, endorphins and dopamine. But for these effects to crystallize in the body, the frequency is important. But although regularity is important in this case, no one should look for a magical figure to save their body. Experts believe that the frequency indicated by the studies is based on an average. What the game should dictate is pleasure. In addition, depending on the stage of life, libido tends to decrease or increase. “While there are young people who may want to have sex every day, it is absolutely normal for the frequency to fall once every two weeks after 60 or 70 years without any anomaly,” says Abdo. In fact, whoever thinks that human beings withdraw from life between four walls is wrong: this is another myth about aging, although chronic diseases during this phase can limit the physical and psychological apparatus.
The body. The Greeks believed in the practice of intercourse as a way to relieve mental disorders. Traditional Indian medicine, in turn, teaches that sexual energy is inseparable from physical and spiritual well -being. Everything is, in a way, connected, and science signs some of these ideas.
Beyond mental health, research reveals that regular exercise sessions in bed improve heart rate and revitalize arteries with a blood flow, everything that the heart needs. Other analysis, backed by population data, highlight that sex is closely linked to longevity, reducing, among other things, the risk of complications derived from diabetes.
But, as is a two -way route, it is necessary to be well, both body and soul, to enjoy it. Just as emotional suffering affects desire, organic dysfunctions tend to compromise the hormonal orchestra or even circulation in genitals. “There is a strong relationship between hormonal deregulation and the decrease in libido,” explains the endocrinologist Karen de Marca, vice president of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Diabetes, menopause, thyroid problems, are some of the conditions that alter this balance of substances that can affect the level of sexual activity.
In addition, the same phenomenon of plaque formation that obstructs the arteries of the heart can obstruct the vessels of the penis, causing the dreaded erectile dysfunction. Although the viagra class pills, another sexual revolution that began in the late 90s, help overcome drama, a good medical check -up and the adoption of healthy habits remain essential.
Both in bed and outside it, behaviors have also been transformed. What was previously considered a fetish or a deviation, has now become a way of being happy and returning the feeling to the other person.
In this sense, the sex toys industry grew in recent years, with a projected annual increase of around 7 % to 2026. Another impulse factor may come from adult content, which drives its own social networks and the most controversial universe of pornography. In this case, moderation is required; Otherwise, it can become an addiction. “Pornography compulsion can be devastating,” says the American psychiatrist Anna Lembke, author of the bestseller Dopamine Nation.
The search for an active sex life was a great taboo, but there are still obstacles to overcome in the 21st century. From the restriction of women’s curiosity over their own bodies to the distortions of bed performance, fed by explicit videos, the truth is that humanity still faces fears and tensions in regard to sex. And a new barrier has emerged, imposed by the long working days and immersion in social networks. People are tired.
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