Sex ‘brings men closer to God’

IT’S FAIR to say when it comes to a night of passion, the existence of a higher power isn’t normally on the agenda.

But it seems sexual relations actually bring men closer to God – thanks to the production of a hormone that enhances feelings of spirituality.

Oxytocin, sometimes dubbed the “cuddle chemical”, is stimulated during sex, childbirth and breastfeeding. It has long been known to promote mother-baby bonding, as well as feelings of trust.

Now researchers believe it could also create feelings of religious devotion in men. A US study found men given doses of oxytocin were more likely to say spirituality was important in their lives than those who received a placebo.

This was the case regardless of whether the participant had reported belonging to an organised religion or not.

Men given oxytocin were also more likely to say their lives had meaning and to view themselves as interconnected with others. When asked to meditate, participants who had been given oxytocin reported experiencing more positive emotions, such as awe, gratitude, hope, inspiration, love and serenity.

Research assistant Professor Dr Patty van Cappellen, from Duke University in North Carolina, said: “Spirituality and meditation have each been linked to health and well-being in previous research. We were interested in understanding biological factors that may enhance those spiritual experiences. Oxytocin appears to be part of the way our bodies support spiritual beliefs.”