Why sex is beneficial for boosting immune health
Wouldn’t it be nice if sex could positively impact your immune functioning? But, wait a minute, sex does affect immunity, and in a good way too.
Since the pandemic began more than three years ago, immune functioning and ways to boost it have been a top internet search.
People everywhere surfed the net looking for whatever supplement, food, or exercise was “the one” that enhanced immunity against microbes wanting to cause us harm. While there are multiple ways to achieve a healthy immune system, having sex ranks right up there. Besides the obvious perks of intimacy, this fun activity also plays a role in amplifying not only pleasure but also immune protection.
The three keys to healthy immune functioning rely on adequate rest, exercise, and good nutrition. Take sufficient sleep, for example. When you factor in that studies have shown sex is a proven sleep aid, it only makes sense that having sex regularly is better than taking a sleeping pill for bolstering immunity, according to a 2016 study from the University of Ottawa. Sex leads to relaxation providing insomniacs with just what they need to get a good night’s sleep. Granted, many other factors are involved in a well-rested night of sleep besides a romp in the hay, but most are nowhere near as interesting as sex.
Exercise is a known immune-boosting activity, and sex fits the bill. A 2018 study found that exercise’s effect on women’s sexual functioning improves sexual satisfaction, cardiovascular health, mood, and overall sexual well-being. Making love pushes all the right buttons, from raising your heart rate to reducing blood pressure, and works your pelvic floor muscles for better bladder control. Just what the doctor ordered for enhancing your immune system while engaging in an intimate good time.
Remember that simply having an orgasm releases a rush of the happy hormones endorphins and serotonin, promoting pleasure and leading to feelings of love and sexual satisfaction. This is especially true if the orgasm results from masturbation which appears to stimulate the production of endocannabinoids. A 2017 study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine researched the role of endocannabinoids, part of the endocannabinoid system, in human sexual behavior. Endocannabinoids are chemical compound neurotransmitters located in the brain that are important for the behavioral rewards associated with appetite, exercise, and social interactions with people you enjoy being with. The study found that when orgasm occurred, stimulating the endocannabinoid system, it had a beneficial impact on a person’s immune system, along with the added bonus of reducing inflammation.
Overall, sexual activity does positively impact immune functioning. Of course, your body still requires sufficient sleep, physical activity, and nutritious food for a robust immune system, but sex is also a fun and enjoyable ally in staying healthy.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.