- [Narrator] Hey, Psych2Goers.
How much do you know about sex?
Whether you know a lot, or not much,
there are quite a lot of interesting things
sex can do to our minds and bodies that you might not know.
What are these things you may ask?
Well, here are six things sex does to your mind and body.
Number one, sex may help increase your cognitive capacity.
According to a study
published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin,
simply thinking about a sexual encounter
may enhance analytical thinking.
The study states that it suggests that
when in love, people typically focus
on a long-term perspective,
which should enhance holistic thinking,
and thereby create thought.
Whereas when experiencing sexual encounters,
they focus on the present, and on concrete details,
enhancing analytic thinking.
Because people automatically activate
these processing styles when in love,
or when they experience sex,
subtle or even unconscious reminders of love
versus sex should suffice to change processing modes.
Another 2010 study published in the PLOS One, using rats,
found that sexually active rodents
had more neurons in the part of their brain
called the hippocampus when compared to virgin rats.
This part of the brain has an important role
in memory and learning.
Researchers noticed that when sexual activity
later stopped among rodents,
they lost those advancements in brainpower.
Number two, sex may boost self-esteem.
Everyone's different,
but according to psychologists,
sex may aid in boosting your self-esteem.
Psychologist Ryan Anderson explained in Psychology Today
that lack of sex can lead to feelings of angst,
self-doubt, and inadequacy.
And there is strong evidence that feelings of self-worth,
and identity are strongly associated with sex.
He goes on, explaining that social pressure
may come into play with this.
He also notes that often sex therapists,
and marriage counselors agree that couples
that engage in regular sex with each other
have far greater self-esteem than those who don't.
Everyone's scenario is different.
For some, sex isn't a priority,
and might not affect their self esteem as much as others,
but for others, sex can't help but make you feel good,
both in mind and body in more ways than one.
Number three, frequent sex may help heart health.
According to a study published
in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health,
frequent sex may decrease a male's risk
for a fatal heart attack.
Results from the research study revealed
that males who had sex two times or more a week
had a lesser chance of a fatal heart attack
than those who had sex not quite as much.
The study noted additional findings on strokes,
and their connections to frequent sex,
stating middle-aged men should be heartened
to know that frequent sexual intercourse
is not likely to result in a substantial increase
in the risk of strokes.
And that some protection from fatal coronary events
may be an added bonus.
Number four, it can alter your pain perception.
Sex can alter your pain perception?
Yup, and it's all thanks to a part of our brain
called the hypothalamus.
According to some research,
sex may alter your pain perception,
making you feel less pain.
This section of the brain called the hypothalamus
releases the feel-good hormone oxytocin,
also known as the love hormone.
During orgasm or arousal, researchers at Rutgers University
found that this release of oxytocin
may help women feel less pain.
This can be especially true during menstruation.
Another study published
in the Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine
found that extremely low doses of oxytocin
reduced pain sensitivity in men,
lowering one's pain threshold by 56.5%.
Number five, sex can take work for longterm partners.
There's a popular belief among many young people
that sexual satisfaction can diminish with time
in long-term relationships.
But it actually just takes a bit of work.
Recent research from the University of Toronto
recognized that effort is required
if you want to have a great sex life
with your long-term partner.
So don't expect it to be wonderful every time
if you don't put in some work every now and then.
A healthy relationship with communication
and effort can equal a healthy and happy sex life.
And number six, sex before an important event
may lower your level of stress.
Looks like sex may just help your grades
on your university final exams.
A 2006 research study published in the journal,
Biological Psychology,
had subjects take part in stressful activities.
These included giving a public speech,
or taking a difficult math quiz.
Subjects who had sex before the test
had lower blood pressure, and lower levels of stress.
This was then compared to those who had no sex,
those who masturbated,
and those who had sexual contact without intercourse.
The study even claims that penile vaginal intercourse, PVI,
but not other sexual behavior
is associated with better psychological
and physiological function.
You may just have to thank, not only yourself,
but your partner as well, for that A+ on your math exam.
So, which of these were you most surprised to hear about?
Let us know in the comments down below.
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