Having more sex makes men more likely to believe in God


  • New research suggests sex inspires spirituality and even religious beliefs 
  • According to Duke University’s study, in America, it is down to oxytocin 
  • The ‘love hormone’ is released during sex, childbirth and breastfeeding 

Jessica Duncan For Mailonline

500

View
comments

Researchers claim having sex inspires spirituality and even belief in God.

According to the research, sex releases a ‘love hormone’ oxytocin not only promotes social bonding, altruism but also divinity – especially in men.

Researchers at Duke University, in North Carolina, say that sex could inspire a belief – or an increased belief – in God and religion.

The study published this week look at oxytocin a hormone which is often stimulated during sex, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

Researchers at Duke University, in North Carolina, say that sex could inspire a religious beliefs and spirituality 

It also comes in medication form and is often used to help women in labour.

But in the study, men reported a greater sense of spirituality shortly after taking oxytocin and their feelings continued a week later. 

According to a news website for the University, Duke Today, lead author Patty Van Cappellen, a social psychologist at the American University, 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.’

To test the chemical reaction some of the men were given the hormone whilst others took a placebo.

The men who got a dose of the ‘love hormone’ were more likely to say that spirituality was an important part of their lives.

The hormone oxytocin sparked more positive emotions but the study did not investigate its affects on women

And not all of them had previously said that faith was a part of their lives. They also expressed a feeling of unity with other people and living things.

Oxytocin, it seems, sparked more positive emotions, such as awe, gratitude, hope, inspiration, love, and serenity. But it didn’t affect everyone equally – those with a certain gene, called CD38 and which regulates its release in the brain, had a much more amplified response.

According to the study, which was published in the Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, women produce more oxytocin then men, but Duke University hasn’t yet studied its effects on female godliness.

Dr Van Cappellen adds that another study needs to be carried out with women as the chemical operates differently between genders.

She added: ‘Spirituality is complex and affected by many factors.

‘However, oxytocin does seem to affect how we perceive the world and what we believe.

‘Oxytocin’s effects on women’s spirituality still needs to be investigated.’

Most watched News videos



  • Incredible 10m giant anaconda snake caught in Brazil



  • Is this the creepy moment the corpse of a girl OPENS her eyes?



  • Justin Trudeau fails to get a high five from Prince George



  • Girlfriend avenges ‘cheating’ boyfriend by tasering his CROTCH



  • Police dashcam captures the moment Keith Scott is shot



  • Emotional Marlins staff talk about Jose Fernandez’s death



  • Drumming DJ turns New York subway station into dance party



  • Police release bodycam footage of Keith Scott shooting



  • Naughty kitty interrupts a cute squirrel enjoying a cracker



  • Warm welcome for George and Charlotte as Royals land in Canada



  • Police reveal details of crash which killed Jose Fernandez



  • Ouch! Guy accidentally throws bikini girl into swimming pool


Comments (500)

Share what you think

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Find out now