Research Reveals Many Benefits of Kinky Sex

In general, kinky sex was considered taboo, with many even wondering why some engage in sexual activities involving peculiar fetishes and pain. However, gradually, many are beginning to realize that kinky sex does indeed offer numerous advantages to those who practice it, and this has been confirmed by recent research.

Many successful visionaries throughout history, from artists and scientists to politicians, had documented fetishes that played a crucial role in how they functioned in their daily lives (“The Kinkiest Historical Figures In Recorded History,” Ranker, 2019).

Recent research confirms that if you desire something, kinky sex can benefit you not only in the bedroom but also outside of it.

“Non-conventional” sexual practices and fantasies, such as BDSM, group sex, or role-playing, have been shown to reduce anxiety, improve mental health, and enhance communication skills. It has also been found that people who have a kinky sex life have higher self-esteem than those who fear or feel ashamed of pursuing their fantasies. All of these positive outcomes can help optimize your goals, mood, and overall well-being even after the game is over, as Los Angeles-based sex therapist Jamila Dawson explains (“Kinky Sex Could Be the Secret to Your Success,” BAZAAR US).

“A healthy relationship with kink can be the hidden cause of an individual’s success. I see it constantly in my practice,” says Dawson, who specializes in kink and polyamory. So, how can kinky sex give you that extra boost you need to ask for a raise, improve your communication with your partner, or chase your dreams?

Activities like BDSM can actually alter the pattern of blood flow in the brain, creating a series of favourable mental states with positive results similar to those of attention and meditation, according to recent findings by Dr Brad J. Sagarin, a Psychology professor at Northern Illinois University and founder of the BDSM research group. These altered states of consciousness are particularly discreet and can enhance mood and knowledge while increasing our ability to form original ideas and new connections, adds Dr. Justin Lehmiller, an associate of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University and author of the Sex & Psychology blog.

For Freud, anyone interested in S&M needed therapy, or the fantasies of other sexual partners signalled problems in marriage or relationships. However, modern research has a different story to tell. Psychologist and author Pamela Connolly compared BDSM professionals based on published rules regarding ten psychological disorders. Compared to the normal samples, those engaged in BDSM had lower levels of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological sadism and masochism, borderline pathology, and insanity (“The Surprising Psychology of BDSM,” Psychology Today). Similarly, Andreas Wismeijer and Marcel van Assen compared individuals who practised BDSM with those who did not engage in similar activities. Their results showed that, compared to the second group, those in the first group exhibited higher levels of extraversion, consciousness, openness to experiences, and subjective well-being. BDSM practitioners also showed lower levels of neuroticism and fear of rejection. The only negative trait that emerged was that BDSM enthusiasts reported lower levels of satisfaction.

Those with more frequent fantasies also have sex more often, participate in a wider variety of sexual activities, have more partners masturbate more, and have more orgasms than people who rarely or never fantasize.

Engaging in sex can also make you more productive at work. A 2017 study from Oregon State University found that having sex before work—either the previous night or in the morning—made people more committed and effective.

Fantasy-based sex can also reduce anxiety and stress, much like meditation and exercise, but instead of coming through silence or sweat, the reward comes through sensation and fetishes. Kinky sex has also been linked to changes in cortisol levels that can reduce psychological and physical stress. It is also associated with better physical and mental health, an increased lifespan, improved coping skills, and an enhanced mood.