The study "Sexual Activity Mitigates Symptoms of Anxiety" examined whether soldiers who engaged in frequent sexual intercourse during deployment had lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than those who abstained from sex. Researchers recruited 120 male military personnel between the ages of 18 and 45 to participate in their research. All participants were actively deployed abroad for an average of 6 months.
The soldiers filled out questionnaires every day that asked them how often they experienced symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, fatigue, sleep problems, appetite changes, and feelings of guilt or shame due to their actions while deployed. They also recorded how much time they spent engaging in sexual activity each day.
At the beginning of the study, all soldiers had similar scores for anxiety, depression, and other symptoms.
After one month of data collection, there was a clear difference between those who had sex regularly and those who did not. The group that engaged in sex reported significantly fewer symptoms overall. This effect continued to increase throughout the duration of the study.
Researchers believe that regular sexual activity may be linked to higher testosterone levels, which can reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is known to worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Physical intimacy releases oxytocin, the hormone responsible for bonding and attachment. Oxytocin can help ease emotional distress and promote relaxation.
The effects of sex on mental health are complex and multifaceted. Some studies have found that sexual activity can actually exacerbate PTSD symptoms in some individuals. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between sex and mental well-being during deployment.
It appears that regular sexual activity may mitigate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD in soldiers during deployment. While more research is needed to confirm these findings, this study suggests that incorporating regular sex into military life could be beneficial for both the individual soldier and society as a whole.
Can regular sexual activity mitigate symptoms of anxiety, depression, or PTSD in soldiers during deployment?
The National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder reports that 10%–20% of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with approximately half of those experiencing comorbid depression. Anxiety is also a common mental health issue among veterans, affecting up to 30%.