Sex Takes The Stress From Speech
By Hannah Isom
If you get sweaty palms and cotton-wool mouth at the mere thought of public speaking, then a bit of nookie may be just the thing to steady your nerves. Researchers at the University of Paisley have found that sex can keep stress at bay and make giving a speech a doddle.
In a study published in New Scientist, Professor Stuart Brody explains how having sexual intercourse can reduce the high stress levels and increased blood pressure associated with public speaking. However, those who enjoy a little “self gratification” will be disappointed to learn that it is only full, penetrative sex with another person that seems to do the trick.
The experiment studied 24 men and 22 women who each kept a sex diary, and were made to perform stressful tasks such as giving a speech and performing mental arithmetic out loud.
Those that had got jiggy the most proved to have significantly lower stress levels than others who indulged in other sexual acts such as masturbation. The poor souls getting absolutely no action between the sheets were found to be the most stressed and presumably rather envious of their carnally-crazed counterparts.
It is not clear what scientific explanation is behind this calming effect. The vagal nerve is known to play a role in psychological processes and the hormone oxytocin, released during orgasm, may have a calming effect on the brain.
The good news is that a greater frequency of intercourse is associated with greater benefits, so there really is no excuse for prudishness.
But, Dr Peter Bull, a psychologist at the University of York, contests that there are more reliable ways to prepare for a big speech. He says “you are probably better off thinking about what you are going to say, and preparing thoroughly, rather than having sex the previous night”. Spoilsport.
Find out more about Hannah and read her other articles here.
In a study published in New Scientist, Professor Stuart Brody explains how having sexual intercourse can reduce the high stress levels and increased blood pressure associated with public speaking. However, those who enjoy a little “self gratification” will be disappointed to learn that it is only full, penetrative sex with another person that seems to do the trick.
The experiment studied 24 men and 22 women who each kept a sex diary, and were made to perform stressful tasks such as giving a speech and performing mental arithmetic out loud.
Those that had got jiggy the most proved to have significantly lower stress levels than others who indulged in other sexual acts such as masturbation. The poor souls getting absolutely no action between the sheets were found to be the most stressed and presumably rather envious of their carnally-crazed counterparts.
It is not clear what scientific explanation is behind this calming effect. The vagal nerve is known to play a role in psychological processes and the hormone oxytocin, released during orgasm, may have a calming effect on the brain.
The good news is that a greater frequency of intercourse is associated with greater benefits, so there really is no excuse for prudishness.
But, Dr Peter Bull, a psychologist at the University of York, contests that there are more reliable ways to prepare for a big speech. He says “you are probably better off thinking about what you are going to say, and preparing thoroughly, rather than having sex the previous night”. Spoilsport.
Find out more about Hannah and read her other articles here.
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