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Page 3 of 3 Semen: An Antidepressant? continued... "Women [who have sex] without condoms are also more likely to fall victim to the rebound effect following the breakup of their relationship," he tells VitaDocs. "This suggests that there is a withdrawal effect that influences depressiveness when semen exposure stops." Whether sex is protected or not, orgasm does trigger a release of endorphins, those "feel-good" brain chemicals that elevate mood and dull pain. "But I'm not sure that's the sole explanation, because the effects of endorphins wear off in about an hour," says Hatfield, whose money is betting on the feel-good benefits that result from touch -- especially with a spouse or other trusted lover. "We know that people who touch and are receptive to touch are more likely to be happy and have fewer problems with depression and anxiety," he tells VitaDocs. "Especially in a committed relationship or marriage, sex provides more opportunity for touch. I think orgasm is Mother Nature's icing on the cake, a reason to make you want to go back for more the next time."
SOURCES: Blachflower, D. "Money, Sex and Happiness, An Empirical Study," May 2000. Gallup G, Archives of Sexual Behavior, June 2002; vol 31: pp 289-293. Donnelly, D., Journal of Sex Research, May 2001. David G. Blachflower, PhD, Bruce V. Raunder professor of economics, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H. Robert Hatfield, PhD, assistant professor of psychology, University of Cincinnati; and certified sex therapist; spokesman, Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality. Gordon Gallup, PhD, professor of psychology, State University of New York at Albany.
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