Gamer and sex: Does your console affect your performance in bed?

Do you remember when everything related to video games was associated with ‘geekiness’? Well, things have changed. In recent years, the world of gaming has ceased to be a niche and has become a global culture that has amassed billions of euros. And there are people who make a (very good) living from it. In any case, whether you are a leisure or professional videogame user, I am sure there are some aspects that you had not considered.

With the rise of online gaming, game marathons and hyper-connectivity, etc., questions have been raised about its impact on other areas of life, such as sexual health. Can a console influence your performance in bed? Spoiler: yes , but not necessarily for the worse. Heads up: grab a seat and a notebook to take notes, we're getting started.

Screen time and sexual desire: is there a link?

Several studies have shown that prolonged screen time can affect your sex drive, especially when it becomes a replacement for real social interaction (Coyne et al., 2012). In the case of gaming, this is often exacerbated by night-time routines, lack of sleep and a decrease in physical activity.

However, it is not all negative. Gaming also offers spaces for relaxation, stress avoidance and emotional connection with other people. It all depends on use, frequency and balance with other areas of life.

Hormones, dopamine and reward: the gamer effect on your brain

Playing activates the brain's reward systems, releasing dopamine , the same hormone involved in sexual pleasure. This can generate, in some cases, a kind of "artificial satiety" , causing sexual desire to be temporarily reduced. Not because gambling replaces sex, but because the nervous system has already received its "dose" of pleasure.

But it is also true that video games can function as tools to stimulate the erotic imagination, especially in titles that include narrative, desire or characters with high sensual content. In this sense, gaming and eroticism can go hand in hand, if we know how to integrate them. 

Sedentary lifestyle and sexual dysfunction: the physical side of gaming

One of the main risks of a very sedentary lifestyle is its impact on vascular health, which is directly related to erectile function. Spending so many hours sitting in front of a computer, console or monitor can affect blood circulation and pelvic floor muscle tone , two of the key factors for good sexual performance (Allen and Walter, 2018).

OK, it may sound like I'm throwing dirt on the world of video games, but it's not about giving up gaming, it's about incorporating active breaks, regular exercise and attention to healthy habits that keep your body fit for sex too. I'm not trying to give you the message that gaming is bad for your health. What is negative is that your life consists of nothing but sedentary activities. 

Virtual bonds and desire: between eroticism and disconnection

Many gamers share time, intimacies and even sentimental relationships with people they meet in online games. These connections can be emotionally and erotically meaningful, although they can also generate a certain "bodily disconnection" when the experience is reduced to the virtual.

While it is true that, for many people, this is one of the few ways to meet people and connect, sexologists insist on the importance of getting back to the senses . What do I mean by this? I essentially mean getting back to the body, to the senses, to real contact... If you are a gamer and you notice that your sexual desire has diminished, it may be a sign that you need to reconnect with your eroticism beyond the screen. But don't worry because I've got some tips for you.

How to balance your gaming life with your sex life

1. Create separate spaces . Some psychology experts call this strategy space and/or time hygiene. It consists of dedicating time to the game, but also to self-care, to your partner (if you have one) and to your pleasure.
   
   

2. Take care of your body . Yes, you may be lazy, but incorporating exercise and movement routines to maintain your physical and sexual health is much more essential than you think. Regardless of your age, build and state of health, take conscious breaks.
   
   

3. Take mindful breaks . What does it mean to take mindful breaks? Every 1-2 hours of play, stand up, stretch, breathe. And why not, take a moment to connect with your body through movement, or something that you enjoy.
   
   

Explore fantasies . Use play as inspiration for your sexual fantasies, either alone or with a partner. I'm sure you have some, but have you thought about them seriously?

Conclusion: your video games are not the enemy, but neither is your bed

Being a gamer is not at odds with having a satisfying sex life . Like everything else, it's about finding a balance, listening to your body and integrating pleasure in all its forms. If you feel that gaming is taking up too much of your desire or affecting your performance in bed, it may be time to adjust your habits.

And remember: a good game can be just as stimulating as a good sex session... but if you can have both, all the better. 

References

Allen, M. S., & Walter, E. E. (2018). Health-Related Lifestyle Factors and Sexual Dysfunction: A Meta-Analysis of Population-Based Research. The journal of sexual medicine, 15(4), 458–475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.02.008

Coyne, S. M., Busby, D., Bushman, B. J., Gentile, D. A., Ridge, R., & Stockdale, L. (2012). Gaming in the game of love: Effects of video games on conflict in couples. Family Relations, 61(3), 388-396. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2012.00712.x