A new study seems to confirm what most of us already knew deep in our throbbing groins - sexual pleasure is a boon to the body and mind.
And denying yourself that pleasure in any way is bad, very bad - in many ways.
Of course, a study commissioned by the makers of a popular vibrator - the Magic Wand - would say so. But the statistics seem to be real, and experts seem to agree with the findings.
Invoking the “transition to sexual well-being“ With the general consensus that sex toy use and pleasure can have positive effects, a spokesperson for the personal pleasure device's makers said in a written statement that the company's goal is to gather scientific data that shows the real-world impact that self-love can have on people's lives.
The heated study gently encouraged 1,000 women, or "vulval participants," as the authors put it, by handing out rechargeable Magic Wand personal massagers to each, asking them to track their quality of life for three weeks.
Experienced bunnies in the game were instructed to stick to one week of abstinence, one week of daily Magic Wand use - those with partners were invited to incorporate the tool into their sex play - and a week back to their regular sex schedules and aids.
Across the board, the week without pleasure caused a decline in all quality-of-life measures, including happiness, appearance, confidence, and relationship stability.
Worse still, it also increased stress, the data showed.
An orgasm a day, however, seemed to keep the doctor away. Using the vibrator every day for a week improved overall quality of life. Happiness, body image, confidence, and sleep all improved—while stress levels decreased.
“When we think about the state of the world and the crises we’re going through with stress and anxiety, we think orgasms can help us stay comfortable in our bodies and find joy,“ lead researcher Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons told The Post.
“Using the wand helped me deal with my daily stress. It was also a way for me to step away from my computer, connect with myself, and reboot myself,” one participant said.
Incorporating sex toys doesn’t just help singles. In fact, the connection with their partner peaks during the week of using the vibrator.
When participants returned to “normal sex” by week three, some of the benefits are still there, but many of the sensations start to fade.
The connection with your partner is shockingly weak – faster than a flaccid penis.
It's not that regular sex has gotten worse – it just doesn't compare to the consistency, intensity or purposefulness of daily sex with a toy.
Experts hope the study will help dispel the common misconception that these kinds of kinky products are "bad" for relationships.
And it turns out that participants didn't even have to orgasm to feel the benefits for their brain, body, sleep cycle, etc.
Just making time for sexual activity, alone or with a partner, was enough to bring back the sex appeal. Fortunately for them, most people orgasmed – one participant reported having five consecutive orgasms with the Magic Wand.
“The difference in my emotional regulation and dissociation between the two weeks is huge! I only suspected the connection before this study, but the week without sexual activity was worse and worse for emotional regulation, dissociation, and symptoms of depression,“ shared another.
The week with the vibrator, on the other hand, made participants focused, happy, emotionally regulated, excited about things, less anxious, and prone to rumination.
Source: nypost.com