SEXIS WRONG

The most intriguing aspect of sex and longevity deals with
the hormone prolactin, practically the only hormone that increases
with age. We know that prolactin levels increase after
orgasm, but we have also seen that more sex equals longer
life. This leads me to hypothesize that when we increase
our levels of prolactin via orgasms, it is as if we are taking in
exogenous (outside source) prolactin.
When the body detects an overabundance of a particular hormone
in our system, it will automatically shut down its own
production of that hormone. This is why so many bodybuilders
who take huge amounts of exogenous testosterone have
nuts that look like raisins. Their testicles figure, “Heck, we
don’t have to work any more. This guy’s getting all the testosterone
he needs from his pills and injections.” This is why
I think increased levels of prolactin from an active sex life
protect our bodies from the aging effects prolactin normally
produces. Sexually active people get surges of prolactin so
constantly that their bodies slow down the regular production
of prolactin. I haven’t seen this theory in any medical
research. This is just my scientifically creative mind at work.
Sex Heals Pain
Dr. Jorge Flechas, a family practitioner in North Carolina, specializes
in patients who suffer from fibromyalgia and chronic
fatigue syndrome. He has developed a new protocol for the
treatment of these illnesses using oxytocin, DHEA, and other
natural nutrients. (Just before orgasm and ejaculation, oxytocin
and DHEA levels spike to levels three to five times higher
than normal.) Dr. Flechas theorizes that an empty receptor
for oxytocin can potentially cause pain. Administering oxytocin
causes the empty oxytocin receptor sites to become full,
thereby diminishing or completely obliterating pain. Oxytocin
has been given to humans to kill cancer pain, ovarian pain,
lower-back pain, and bowel pain from irritable bowel syndrome.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that we can produce our
own endless supply of oxytocin just by enjoying a healthy sex
life? How much simpler could it get?
Sex can also help in the management of “arthritic pain, whiplash
pain, and headache pain,” according to Dr. Beverly Whipple,
president of the American Association of Sex Educators,
Counselors, and Therapists. Hormones released during
sexual excitement and orgasm can elevate pain thresholds.
Also, by going through the different movements of the sex
acts, one can put the joints through their full range of motion
(hopefully), thereby pumping lubricating fluids through
the joints, which helps keep them pain-free. Sex (and sexercise)
also releases endorphins, the body’s own pain-relieving
chemicals.
One of my radio listeners (who asked to remain anonymous)
emailed me with this to say: “I would love to get an autographed
first edition of your book, Sex Heals. And as an aside,
the title is great! I have two arthritic knees and a bad back
due to a bicycle accident, and there is a certain act my wife
refers to as ‘The Treatment’ because for about two hours
later, I feel NO pain.”
Keeping oneself happy with an active sex life can definitely
keep back pain at bay. Dr. Eugene Carragee, associate professor
of functional restoration at the Stanford University
Medical Center, is the lead author of a study published in the
medical journal Spine. Dr. Carragee and his team compared
the results of MRI and vertebral disc tear tests of patients
who had known risk factors for disc degeneration. Disc tears
have traditionally been thought to directly cause lower back
pain, but the researchers were surprised to find that patients
with disc problems were only slightly more likely to have back
pain than those without any disk degeneration. Furthermore,
25% of those who did have disc problems had no lower back
pain at all.
This prompted the researchers to perform psychological tests
on these patients, which showed that back pain is strongly
associated with the patient’s state of mind. It seems that depression
and poor coping skills are often a better predictor
of back pain than disc damage. The researchers emphasized
that treating a patient for emotional and perceptual concerns
may be more beneficial in reducing lower back pain than the
more conventional invasive, costly, and oftentimes unsuccessful
back surgery option. Can you think of something that
would keep you from being depressed? A healthy, active sex
life is the first thing that pops into my mind!
Michael Teague, a recreational hockey player, claimed that just
cuddling with his special someone eased the intense pain in
the knee he twisted during practice. This is because his body
kicked into overdrive pumping out the cuddle-chemical oxytocin
once he felt the softness of her skin, tasted the warm
wetness of her breath, and smelled her candied scent.
No More “I’ve Got a
Headache” Excuses!
Sex releases tensions that restrict blood vessels in the brain,
which is the cause of many headaches. Mary Everett, a school
teacher, credits having sex on a regular basis (twice a week)
for keeping her migraines at bay. She claims, “I have suffered
from severe migraine headaches since I was a teenager.
The only thing that would help was a prescription narcotic.
Ever since I started my ‘sex therapy,’ I have been pain-free. If
my husband isn’t available to help me out, I just masturbate
when I notice the first twinge of pain. After the first orgasm
the migraine goes completely away. I am a firm believer that
HORNINESS BEGETS HEALTH 303