Need sex for my brain function

x123 · Dec 30, 2014, 11:29 AM

Over the past year, things have changed about my libido. In the past, I felt sexually frustrated if I didn't have sex once a week (for me that is masturbation due to no partner). Now if I don't have sex, I just feel depressed and zombie-like. I try to ride an exercise bike daily for depression, but when I don't have sex I feel depressed in spite of exercising. If I have sex, then it's like my brain is normal again for a few days. I can get my work done. I enjoy the food I eat. Generally, I can function.

So now the sex is like medicine. I have no desire for sex. It's a lot harder to get aroused at first. It would be very easy for me to abstain from sex entirely now, except for that my brain seems to shut down without sex. It worries me that I might be so dependent on sex for normal brain function.

BTW I'm a 48 year old male, so the libido drop might be due to hormone and aging. I'm also chronically depressed, and it seems to be harder to manage. Also, I don't take any medications, so I can't blame it on that.

Dec 30, 2014, 10:22 PM

I'm not sure what to write with regard to this, x123. I'm in my mid 60's & I know that men's libidos do decrease with age. Mine has all but disappeared. I've never heard of the brain becoming dependent on sex for normal functioning.

I don't know how long you've struggled with chronic depression. But it is certainly also true, I believe, that depression does over time wear the brain down in a variety of ways. I sometimes wonder if I might be suffering with early onset dementia or Alzheimer's Disease. But really I think it's mostly just due to years & years of depression & anxiety. This may be what's going on with you. It may be just a "perfect storm" of age-related decreased libido & the effects of chronic depression.

You didn't mention anything about your employment status. But, if you're unhappy with your employment situation, or if you're not able to work & having financial difficulties, these may also be contributing factors as well.

The other thing that occurs to me is the possibility that you might have low testosterone. I'm a YouTuber & I subscribe to a YouTube channel called: "BigNoKnow" Noah Thomas, whose channel this is suffered a major breakdown as a result of having low testosterone. He became severely depressed & suicidal & suffered from depersonalization. Noah uploads videos on the topics of the effects of low testosterone as well as depression, anxiety, depersonalization, & alcohol dependency with which he has also struggled. If you haven't had your testosterone level checked it may be worth the effort to have it done. (You might also take a look at Noah's YouTube channel.)

Webgoji · Dec 31, 2014, 07:10 AM

My guess is that it's a combination of hormones dropping off. Like The Skeezyks said, getting your testosterone levels checked would be first.

Also, the reason sex alleviates your mood is probably tied to adrenaline, dopamine and oxytocin releases during/after sex. Those are all mood boosters.

So my guess isn't that you need sex, but more likely need to look at hormone problems.

x123 · Dec 31, 2014, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Skeezyks

I'm not sure what to write with regard to this, x123. I'm in my mid 60's & I know that men's libidos do decrease with age. Mine has all but disappeared. I've never heard of the brain becoming dependent on sex for normal functioning.

I don't know how long you've struggled with chronic depression. But it is certainly also true, I believe, that depression does over time wear the brain down in a variety of ways. I sometimes wonder if I might be suffering with early onset dementia or Alzheimer's Disease. But really I think it's mostly just due to years & years of depression & anxiety. This may be what's going on with you. It may be just a "perfect storm" of age-related decreased libido & the effects of chronic depression.

I've been depressed (off and on) all my life - even into childhood probably.

It's funny you mention dementia and Alzheimer's. Sometimes that is what depression feels like to me. I will just sit at my desk like I can't remember what I was thinking. I will tell myself that I need to get up and drink a glass of water (or whatever), but I just keep sitting there like a zombie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Skeezyks

You didn't mention anything about your employment status. But, if you're unhappy with your employment situation, or if you're not able to work & having financial difficulties, these may also be contributing factors as well.

I don't like my job much. It's a long story, but my father was diagnosed with cancer, and my brother and I now own and manage a small business. It doesn't suit my personality, but I can't leave without hurting family. Also I am so burned-out that I don't feel capable of doing a normal job. (I would fire myself for being so depressed and unproductive.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Skeezyks

The other thing that occurs to me is the possibility that you might have low testosterone. I'm a YouTuber & I subscribe to a YouTube channel called: "BigNoKnow" Noah Thomas, whose channel this is suffered a major breakdown as a result of having low testosterone. He became severely depressed & suicidal & suffered from depersonalization. Noah uploads videos on the topics of the effects of low testosterone as well as depression, anxiety, depersonalization, & alcohol dependency with which he has also struggled. If you haven't had your testosterone level checked it may be worth the effort to have it done. (You might also take a look at Noah's YouTube channel.)

Thanks, I watched a couple of his videos. I had a mental breakdown too in 2009. I didn't experience the depersonalization/derealization that he described. I thought almost everybody was part of a conspiracy that was trying to harm me in some undefined way for some undefined reason.

x123 · Dec 31, 2014, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webgoji

My guess is that it's a combination of hormones dropping off. Like The Skeezyks said, getting your testosterone levels checked would be first.

Also, the reason sex alleviates your mood is probably tied to adrenaline, dopamine and oxytocin releases during/after sex. Those are all mood boosters.

So my guess isn't that you need sex, but more likely need to look at hormone problems.

I asked about testosterone last time I went to the doctor, but he was dismissive. I guess I need to ask again.

One problem for me is that I suspect my testosterone has always been lower than normal. I'm not as masculine as average. So they might make my testosterone too high by trying to make it "normal".