According to Women’s Health, Scotland researchers delved into this concept, and what they found is nothing short of fascinating. Subjects who had sex (intercourse, that is) one or more times over the course of two weeks handled stress better. Stuart Brody, Ph.D., study author and psychology professor at the University of West Scotland, says that this can apply to different types of stress. For example, it just may help you to calm down before a public speaking engagement. 

But there’s more to it than dopamine. Dr. Laura Berman, author of It’s Not Him, It’s You!, says that two other chemicals are released in this process: endorphins and oxytocin (the so-called love drug). She tells Women’s Health that our bodies give off these chemicals when we’re frisky. In this process, pleasure centers in the brain are turned on. The result is that “chill” feeling that makes us want to take it easy after sex.

(Side Note: Go for The Big O. Berman says that orgasm is when you get the most bang for your buck in terms of chemical release.) 

Sex has even been shown to diminish pain. That’s because the endorphins we told you about earlier are some of the best pain relievers on the planet. Really, they’re kind of like narcotics.

"The endorphins that are released during an orgasm closely resemble morphine, and they effectively relieve pain," Cindy M. Meston, Ph.D., coauthor of Why Women Have Sex tells ABC News. Studies back this up. One study even found that The Big O can slice pain in half. How’s that for a pain reliever?

Plus, sex can be a great way to fall asleep. According to Women’s Health, those same endorphins that we keep telling you about are great for rest. In a different interview, Meston tells Women’s Health that prolactin may play a part in this concept as well. "Prolactin levels are naturally higher when we sleep, which suggests a strong relationship between the two," she notes. 

So next time you have a great romp in the hay, remember that there’s strong science behind why you feel the way you feel. Obviously, you don’t want this to distract you. But it’s pretty amazing to see exactly how the body works. It’s a little factory -- working in many different ways to help you feel good – and be well!