Ejaculation is good for you. That’s the message in a startling article from Daniel Kelly, a senior lecturer in Biochemistry, admirably showcased in the latest edition of the Conversation. [1] According to Daniel, it may even reduce the chances of prostate cancer. Now this is a real problem in men’s health; according to the article, this form of cancer is now the second-most-commonly diagnosed. In men in the UK( a reasonably representative country, gentle readers) it is actually the most commonly diagnosed one. Anything to reduce it has to be a good thing. And how might this be achieved? Well, according to Daniel:
Although the mechanisms are not completely understood, these studies fit with the idea that ejaculation can reduce prostate cancer by decreasing the concentration of toxins and crystal-like structures that can accumulate in the prostate and potentially cause tumours…..Similarly, ejaculation may alter the immune response within the prostate reducing inflammation – a known risk factor for cancer development – or by increasing immune defence against tumour cells…..Alternatively, by reducing psychological tension ejaculation may lower the activity of the nervous system which then prevents certain prostate cells from dividing too rapidly and increasing the chance of them becoming cancerous.
Yes, it’s far from conclusive yet; but that last point reminds us of an intriguing scene from the film The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) in which senior manager Mark Hanna (played by Matthew McConnaghy) is advising rookie broker Jordan Belfort (Leonardo di Capprio) about the perils of stress, and how to deal with them. He sings the praises of conventional remedies, such as cocaine and hookers. But then the conversation turns serious. [2] Hanna enquires if Belfort “jerks off” and if so, the frequency thereof. Disappointed on learning the answer is only three or four times a week, he counsels
” Gotta pump those numbers up .Those are rookie numbers in this racket.”
He goes on to provide detailed advice based on his own practice, which those of naive religious or philosophical persuasion may find hard to assimilate But we reproduce the link for you here, dear friends.[2]
Once again, we stress the provisional nature of these findings. We do not know the current state of health of Jordan Belfort, the real Wolf. But isn’t it intriguing to think that the brokers of Wall Street had stumbled onto something really useful for once, if only by accident?
#wall street #prostate cancer #jordan belfort #mens health
Learning, Science and Society 