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Spanking 'brings couples together'

By Linda Geddes

25 March 2009

91av. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

It might not look like fun, but spanking can make couples closer

(Image: Clandestini / WestEnd61 / Rex Features)

SPANKING is stressful at first, but it could bring consenting couples closer together. That’s the implication of two studies of hormonal changes associated with sadomasochistic (S&M) activities including spanking, bondage and flogging.

Brad Sagarin at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and colleagues measured levels of the stress hormone cortisol in 13 men and women at an S&M party in Arizona, before, during and after participating in activities. During S&M scenes, cortisol rose significantly in those receiving stimulation, but dropped back to…

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