Depression, a profound, silent, and insidious mental disorder, can devastate lives. However, scientists may have discovered an ideal solution for preventing it: simply maintaining intimate relationships at a certain frequency! Here’s a brief overview!
A Survey on Intimate Relationships!
In some conservative societies, depression and sexual relationships are taboo subjects. Experiencing mental overwhelm is often dismissed, branding individuals as spoiled. Discussions about intimate encounters are typically reserved for a select group of “privileged adults”.
To challenge this mentality, experts in the United States conducted a unique survey. They surveyed 15,000 individuals about their intimate lives and mental burdens. Among them, 1,288 were depressed, while the others were in excellent health.
They reached a surprising conclusion: individuals who engage in weekly sexual activity are less prone to depression! According to the survey’s author: “Regardless of sexual orientation, sexual activity provides benefits such as enhanced wellbeing and improved quality of life, significantly impacting mental health.”
This study, despite spotlighting American citizens, originated from Shantou University in China. Researchers suggest that indulging in small intimate escapades once a week can lift one’s mood. But is this frequency truly sufficient to prevent a deep emotional downturn?
Can We Cure Depression with This?
The results of this survey prompt new questions about the best ways to treat emotional emptiness. Typically, doctors prefer prescribing antidepressants like serotonin. However, this approach is not without risks and is often not entirely effective!
According to experts: “Only 50% of patients experience a significant improvement in depressive symptoms with medication, often accompanied by side effects. This highlights the urgent need to explore alternative or complementary treatment strategies. Identifying modifiable and low-cost risk factors is crucial.”
Moreover, antidepressant use notably decreases libido. Yet, both treatments can yield optimal results. Those dealing with this disorder should prioritize their wellbeing by having regular intimate encounters.
“To our knowledge, this is the first observational study aimed at quantifying the association between sexual frequency and depression among young and middle-aged adults living in the community in the United States,”
What Would Be the Ideal Cycle?
Now, it’s time to determine how many intimate moments per week are necessary to mitigate depression. “Our results suggest that a sexual frequency of once to twice a week could offer the most significant protective effects on psychological wellbeing for adults aged 20 to 59,” state the researchers.
Nevertheless, these scientists acknowledge that there are many biases in their analysis. Indeed, the endorphins released during intimate encounters significantly contribute to mental health, but it is not the only factor to be considered for a complete recovery from this disorder!
