Julianne Roth is a journalism senior and Mustang Daily sex columnist.
Magic is among us.
It’s in the bedroom, or on the fifth floor of the library — I heard some people like to have sex up there.
We are all capable wizards and witches, but if one chooses to be a muggle, she is never looked down upon.
When you have sex, it’s not just about genital to genital collision; it’s about exploring your body, psyche and your partner. Through this interconnected stimulation, a plethora of benefits ensues.
From a physical and mental standpoint, consensual and safe sex is loaded with advantages.
Let’s start outside and head in, shall we?
Vanity
I know you all have wondered: What’s that MILF’s secret?
She has the youthful glow of a 25 year old. The twinkle in her eye seems to be the only physical indicator of her age, her experience.
I’d bet my labia it’s not creams, gels or plastic surgeons.
It’s sex.
Dr. Winnifred Cutler, founder of the Athena Institute, says sex increases the levels of estrogen hormones in women. Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone.
According to the article “Effect of estrogen on skin aging and the potential role of SERMs” on the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s (NCBI) website, estrogen has anti-aging effects.
Hair products can be expensive, but shiny, healthy hair on the outside begins on the inside — with estrogen.
Thankfully, sweaty hair pulling and moaning are free.
As women age, their natural estrogen production decreases. However, this can easily be combated with regular sexual activity.
The primary male sex hormone is necessary for proper female sexual function as well. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) concluded that increased testosterone (T) levels in postmenopausal women increased sex drive.
I took a couple of biology classes, so I know that as a woman ages, her natural testosterone production decreases. Testosterone dwindles especially steeply for postmenopausal women, since it is secreted by the ovaries.
Exercise is an organic way to increase testosterone levels. Life Extension Magazine cites three studies that show a monumental increase in T in women after exercise.
It’s easier than a Kamasutra sex position to get tangled in a discussion of sexual benefits and facts, so I’ll be speaking a lick more on exercise later.
Sex has also been believed to increase testosterone levels in men.
Like women, as a man leaves the Dirty Harry stage of his life and heads over to Heartbreak Ridge, the ease of the body’s natural production of the sex hormone decreases.
But don’t fret, Clint.
A healthy dose of sex should help thwart complacency and flaccidity. So keep pumping away, and so will your hormones.
Sex also decreases stress levels and blood pressure. It really shouldn’t come as a surprise that people who have more sex live longer.
This is particularly evident since WebMD’s website says stress could be linked to heart attack and other life-threatening physical ailments.
Stress is also linked to decreased T levels in both sexes.
If you’re having an internal debate about choosing between exercise and sex, choose both. Having 30 minutes of sex burns 85 calories or more, according to WebMD.
Rigorous sex is equivalent to approximately 30 minutes of yoga, walking and dancing. Sex sounds way more appealing to me, especially if we incorporate some of those varsity yoga moves.
Mindful sex
Travel upstairs, and your brain is also thriving from the benefits of down south. The act — or as I like to say, “the art” — of having sex not only bangs out tension, but it also releases some of the most fun chemicals in the body.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the human body as well as a precursor for other compounds such as epinephrine. Dopamine is the backbone of the limbic system, which controls emotions and learning, and activates our body’s reward circuitry.
If you aren’t fluent in biochemistry, the previous sentence may have meant as much to you as my muggle reference did to those not versed in “Harry Potter” lingo.
To put it simply, orgasm (oh, it makes me tingle just typing those six deliciously organized letters) releases dopamine. This neurochemical fuels our wants and desires, and basically rewards us with good — scratch that — magical feelings once they’re achieved.
Furthermore, during the resolution stage of sexual arousal, while most of us are cuddling, stroking or waiting for another go, dopamine is busy bonding us with our partners.
According to WebMD’s website, the bonding hormone oxytocin also makes people feel more generous.
Helping head
Now, all you people who blame a lousy headache for not wanting sex are about to change your mind — or you need to have a candid conversation with your partner.
Regardless, a headache is not an acceptable excuse to deny sex.
Endorphins — another spectacular hormone released in the brain and nervous system during sex — relieve pain and enhance mood. I like to harness this when my boyfriend is grouchy.
Butt really, it helps you
College dudes, I’m talking to you and your prostates. Studies show men in their ’20s may be able to decrease their likelihood of getting prostate cancer later in life.
All you gentlemen need to do is come about 21 or more times per month.
Sex also improves your immune system, focus and quality of sleep.
Now, please, go improve your health.
I find it odd how this newspaper has often talked about ways to reduce and prevent sexual assault and yet here we have a sex column encouraging us to just go at it as often as we can. People may scoff at the idea of waiting until one’s marriage to have sex, but in reality, the world would be a better place if everyone did. Instead, this article encourages people to have sex with their partner (who they may not even be with in a few months) as often as possible. And we wonder about the problems of sexual assault as we continue to scoff at committment…
Sexual assault has nothing to do with this article. Even if everyone waited till marriage – do you TRULY believe that there will be no more rapes?
Sexual assault is a horrific act. It has absolutely no correlation to people not waiting till marriage.
You sir, are an idiot. Well done.
I found the vegan!
I mean no disrespect to the author, I think her opinion is completely valid and I completely agree that sex helps our aging process and has all sorts of health benefits not even listed here.
That said I agree with Jordan. There’s benefits to waiting to have sex as well. Emotional and health related. Those who wait have stronger marriages and less chances of divorce. It would be nice to hear about the benefits on that side of the fence too.
Its sad how “journalism” majors have the writing skills of a middle school kid with downs.
Also, shut the fuck up ashley and jordan, you’re probably fat and ugly anyways.
Sexual assault has nothing to do with this article. Even if everyone waited till marriage – do you TRULY believe that there will be no more rapes?
Sexual assault is a horrific act. It has absolutely no correlation to people not waiting till marriage.
Its sad how "journalism" majors have the writing skills of a middle school kid with downs.
Also, shut the fuck up ashley and jordan, you’re probably fat and ugly anyways.
First of all I can’t even reply to your NAME because it SCREAMS ignorance and many other primitive human traits, but what kind of coward anonymously talks crap about someone LEARNING how to be a journalist? We don’t wake up one morning and become amazing at a career, it takes time. But rhetoric aside, you are a terrible excuse for a human being who feels so terribly about your own life you have to drag other people down into the muck and mud that is your pitiful existence. There is a very basic lesson we are taught by our parents, “if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything.” This comment will probably fuel your desire to treat others like shit, but please keep in mind that it is people like YOU that keep this world in perpetual negativity. Every war and genocide on this planet are a result of personality traits like YOURS. Please EVOLVE. I think I speak for most GREAT people when I say, it doesn’t matter whether you are GOOD or BAD at anything as long as you are a good human being. This isn’t american idol dude, you don’t just sit there and critique people, you look into yourself and think about how to correct the problems in YOUR OWN life. I would like to thank you for motivating me to waste a whole five minutes combating your useless hatred. Peace.
Hey Churlish,
go fuck yourself.
cheers,
hingle
People who talk smack are probably ugly/fat/and have down syndrome
It’s sad that some people have to personally insult others for no purpose other than to give their own life some sort of validity and reason. Perhaps its to give the rest of us a good laugh at their insignificance. Let people write and voice their opinion without throwing mud like an immature child in middle school.
First of all I can’t even reply to your NAME because it SCREAMS ignorance and many other primitive human traits, but what kind of coward anonymously talks crap about someone LEARNING how to be a journalist? We don’t wake up one morning and become amazing at a career, it takes time. But rhetoric aside, you are a terrible excuse for a human being who feels so terribly about your own life you have to drag other people down into the muck and mud that is your pitiful existence. There is a very basic lesson we are taught by our parents, "if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything." This comment will probably fuel your desire to treat others like shit, but please keep in mind that it is people like YOU that keep this world in perpetual negativity. Every war and genocide on this planet are a result of personality traits like YOURS. Please EVOLVE. I think I speak for most GREAT people when I say, it doesn’t matter whether you are GOOD or BAD at anything as long as you are a good human being. This isn’t american idol dude, you don’t just sit there and critique people, you look into yourself and think about how to correct the problems in YOUR OWN life. I would like to thank you for motivating me to waste a whole five minutes combating your useless hatred. Peace.
Can we please get a new investigation into 9/11 going?
15/19 alleged “hijackers” (a Boeing can’t fly 600 MPH at sea-level) were supposedly from Saudi Arabia (even though they couldn’t even fly a Cessna)- and we go and attack Iraq and Afghanistan?
Bin Laden family and funding source: Saudi Arabia- and we don’t even warn them?
“proof” Atta was a hijacker is a perfectly clean, non-burned passport that is found on the sidewalk, never burned from the fireball?
No plane visible at Shanksville, no tail section- Pentagon won’t release any video of a plane strike, just 5 frames showing what appears to be a missile.
How about an article on 9/11 inconsistencies Daily? The blowjob stuff is fun, but there is some really important stuff going on here.
Anyone want to help me relieve some stress 😉
She looks smart and writes more smarter.
Hi, thanks for sharing