Sex is not the only way to obtain hormones of happiness

Some people can live without sex for many months. Others start climb up the wall after weekly abstinence and say that life is nothing without sex. Why is it so? Is it possible for human beings to replace sex with anything else?

	Sex is not the only way to obtain hormones of happiness
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Scientists say that sex launches powerful and diverse biochemical processes in a human body. Sex stimulates the production of hormones that give pleasure (dopamine) and lighten your mood (serotonin). An act of love also produces endorphins - so called hormones of happiness – that bring a human being into a state of euphoria during orgasm. Because of these psychotropic substances sex is considered to be the best antidepressant and tranquilizer.

Luckily, sex is no the only way for a human body to produce these hormones. Masturbation can also be a good way to relieve the sexual tension.

What can increase the level of serotonin? 

1. A special diet. Bread, bananas, chocolate, fig, sugar, milk, fat fish and broccoli contain tryptophan amino acid that raises your serotonin levels. 

2. Pleasant music. English psychologist Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic studied the way music influences serotonin levels in listeners’ blood. He even derived a formula: S (serotonin levels) = P (pitch of sound) + Pos (positive) + T (tone) + BPM (tempo) + I (pleasant associations). The Wake Up Boo! by Boo Radleys is considered to be the best serotonin-raising song. 

3. Draw yourself up. In 1994 scientists proved that a high social status and the feeling of pride raise serotonin levels considerably. Employers usually have more of these hormones than their employees do. The simplest way to arouse the feeling of pride and raise serotonin levels is to draw yourself up. Pride always associates with a good posture. That is why we feel more self-confident when standing straight up. 

4. Take a pill. If nothing listed above helps, you can raise your serotonin levels through medicine. Take 5-Hydroxytryptophan or Prozak that participate in the formation of hormones. Besides, alcohol can raise serotonin levels, although for a short period of time.

What can raise the level of dopamine? 

1. Eat with gusto. The presence of dopamine in blood increases immediately, when a hungry person starts eating. 

2.  Smoke a cigarette. If you smoke, you should know that nicotine contributes to dopamine production. 

3. Go shopping. In 1995 scientists from the University of Kentucky experimented with rats in order to discover the influence of shopping on women. It turned out that rats put in a new cage had more dopamine in blood – they really enjoyed the process. The quantity of hormone depends on the anticipation of buying not on the quantity of goods bought. 

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