Love Is the Drug

Six hits of bedroom science to beat the

flu, protect your heart and keep you young. Lab coats not required 

1. DEFY AGEING Couples who have sex at least four times per week look over 10 years younger than

the average adult, according to Royal Edinburgh Hospital research. “Pleasure derived from sex is a crucial factor in preserving youth due to the release of adrenaline, dopamine and norepinephrine,” says neuropsychologist Dr David Weeks, who conducted the study. “Plus, sex triggers the release of human growth hormone, which combats free radicals from pollution. This helps preserve skin cell walls and relax muscles, which could otherwise cause wrinkles.” Make it better Put that little black book away and start thinking about settling down. “It’s loving intercourse with a regular partner, not promiscuous sexual activity, which gives you the most benefit,” says Weeks. “Casual sex involves detrimental factors to staying youth- flu, such as anxiety and the absence of security.” Take this advice: “The key with long-term couples is emphasis on foreplay and cuddling before and after sex, which should last a minim um of 15 minutes to initiate the chemical response,” says Weeks, with one hand on his trusty stopwatch. 

2. DODGE A COLD This definitely beats shelling out a wad of notes for a flu jab. Having

sex at least twice a week was found by US research at Wilkes University to boost your levels of immunoglobulin A by 20 percent. The antibody protects against colds and other annoying viral infections.

Make it better the study found those who had the most “vigorous” sex were even less prone to spurting the wrong kinds of bodily fluids. “The key to boosting these natural antibodies is intensity and fun, so move around and try out all sorts of positions,” says sexual therapist Paula Hall. “Try the ‘sexy scissors’, with her lying on the edge of abed, left leg over your right shoulder and right leg over your left. You swing her ankles in and out to the sides to trap your penis inside her.” Doctor’s orders, honey... 

3. BEAT CANCER Unleash that libido now, reap the rewards later. Men who ejaculate at least seven times a week in their twenties were found to be over a third less likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer in later life than men who only muster three climaxes. Smooth- talking study author Professor Graham Giles from the Cancer Council Victoria, Australia, reckons frequent ejaculation prevents carcinogens building up in your prostatic ducts. A chat up line and a half. “If the ducts are flushed out, there’s less build-up and damage to the cells lining them,” says Giles.

Make it better “The biggest benefit comes from one ejaculation daily rather than multiple ejaculations on certain days,” says Giles. You get the same benefits from going solo, so if the idea gets a dodgy reception, switch to digital.

4. KILL PAIN Orgasm can halve your sensitivity to pain, according to research in the Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. “Sex boosts endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, by up to a third in a matter of minutes,” says Professor Stuart Brody, sexual psychologist from the University of Paisley, Scotland. “There’s concrete evidence this helps conditions such as back pain and migraine.” Make it better “If you’re in pain, avoid anything overly vigorous and use long, slow strokes, focusing on grinding rather than shunting,” advises Hall. Try the “starfish” — lie on the bed facing up, heads pointing in opposite directions, “scissor” your legs and grab each others’ hands for leverage. And fuel-up with a fruit salad to maximize pain relief— black grapes and oranges are high in potassium and vitamins C, B and B12, all of which boost endorphins, according to Surrey University.

5. SLEEP LIKE A BABY Ah, the sweet lullaby of post-coital body chemistry. During orgasm the body produces oxytocin, a hormone that helps induce sleep. “There’s no doubt sex helps beat insomnia,” says Dr David Delvin, author of The Pocket Good Sex Guide. It’s what you could call an effective tool.

Make it better Boost your sleep potential by snacking on foods rich in the hormone serotonin, such as whole meal bread or turkey 30 minutes before heading horizontal. The serotonin hit helps your body absorb oxytocin into your nervous system.

6...AND CHEAT DEATH A “Do Not Disturb” sign on the bedroom door keeps the Reaper out.

A 10-year Bristol University study found mortality risk was 50 percent lower among men who had two or more orgasms a week. Regular orgasms increase immediate levels of the hormones DHEA and testosterone, which combat the free radicals that cause cancer and heart disease,” says study author Professor George Davey Smith.

Make it better “The longer it lasts, the more good it does,” says Smith. So, teeter on the edge to increase the intensity of your orgasm. “Thrust as far as you can, then grind against her,” advises Hall. “Your penis will be in the wider part of the vagina so there’ll be less stimulation. Keep the depth constant for 30 seconds, then thrust again.” If that doesn’t keep the boys in the barracks, try listing the last 10 All Black captains.