Sexual Activity Might Alleviate Stress and Enhance Wound Healing

Engagement in sexual activity or even simple intimate contact might accelerate wound healing, especially when paired with oxytocin nasal spray.

Oxytocin, often dubbed the “love hormone” or “cuddle chemical,” is known for stimulating uterine contractions during childbirth and aiding breastfeeding. It’s also linked to social connections and intimacy. Previous studies suggest it can facilitate healing of conditions like oral ulcers, likely due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Furthermore, a contentious relationship between partners may contribute to slower healing of blisters. Researchers, including Beate Ditzen from the University of Zurich, speculated whether a lack of oxytocin during these strained interactions could be a mediating factor.

To explore this, the team conducted a study involving 80 healthy heterosexual couples, averaging 27 years of age, all of whom had four small wounds created on their forearms through a suction device.

The couples were split into four groups, each assigned different interventions for the following week. One group received oxytocin nasal spray twice daily while engaging in a 10-minute Partner Appreciation Task (PAT) — a structured activity focusing on expressing gratitude and compliments up to three times a week.

The second group also used oxytocin but did not participate in PAT. The third group carried out PAT with a placebo spray, while the fourth group used a placebo without any PAT intervention.

Neither using oxytocin alone nor engaging in PAT with a placebo led to faster wound healing compared to the control group without spray and PAT. However, the combination of oxytocin and PAT showed some effectiveness in reducing scars’ size and depth, especially among couples who reported increased physical affection or sexual activity during the study week. This was also linked to lower cortisol levels, a stress hormone known to hinder immune function, observed in saliva samples.

“We observe enhanced wound healing in groups that incorporate PAT; however, the effects are significantly more pronounced when oxytocin is combined with spontaneous contact or intimate behaviors,”

Darryl O’Connor from the University of Leeds noted, “Our findings are intriguing as they imply that pairing oxytocin administration with positive interpersonal interactions might bolster physical recovery, opening promising avenues for future psychosocial interventions in healthcare settings.”

According to Anna Whitaker, researchers at the University of Stirling in the UK suggest that increased doses of oxytocin may yield similar benefits, particularly for older adults with generally weakened immune systems.