Why Do We Have Wet Dreams?

5.09.2011 | By: T. P.

Wet dreams usually appear when we are young and at the height of our sexual power. But often they occur later as well...

Sleep can be an escape to a fantastic sex life. (PhotoXpress)

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Wet dreams are part of a man’s life

Wet dreams are most common in boys during puberty. It’s assumed that this is connected with their levels of testosterone. A study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism showed that boys who received additional doses of testosterone had wet dreams more often, i.e. the figure increased from 17% to 90%. However, wet dreams occur also later in life. Namely, some men suffer from wet dreams only after the age of 40. As levels of testosterone are decreased, there are probably other causes of wet dreams.

Wet dreams are a safety valve for sexual tension

The most general belief is that wet dreams are the way in which the body relieves sexual tension. Different opinions are formed as to what kind of tension is actually relieved by the body, psychological or physical. In men, semen is produced irrespective of the fullness of the testicles, so it accumulates and as a result a man becomes less fertile. Namely, sperm cells cannot swim and become entangled in small heaps, which means that they’re incapable of performing their function. The body should therefore release sperm to maintain fertility. Such a theory, which sounds very convincing and logical, hasn’t been confirmed by hard evidence. Another theory says that a strong psychological pressure is built up if you don’t express your sexual desire. According to this theory, the majority of priests and single men who don’t masturbate and have no sexual relations experience more nocturnal emissions. This, however, is inconsistent with existing studies, which don’t confirm the aforementoned. Kinsey suggested that nocturnal emissions were in fact the mechanism for relieving the psychological pressure of masturbation or sexual intercourse if a man doesn’t want to do it because of religious reasons. There’s also a testimony of Philip C. van Burskirk, who described his sex life in detail and noticed that the number of nocturnal emissions was reduced by more frequent masturbation and vice versa. In 1858, he therefore had 69 wet dreams, and mankind is very thankful to him for these data.

Other possible causes of wet dreams

There are also other explanations why wet dreams occur. A very simple explanation says that people dream of an orgasm and then physically experience it. Therefore, you have a dream about having hot sex that leads you to the climax and your body responds to that. It’s similar to a horrible dream that wakes you up frightened, or if you feel sad in your dream, you can wake up crying. Another simple explanation says that friction during sleep can cause an orgasm. Your penis rubs against your legs, underwear or linen. Sometimes you have dreams as a response to a physical stimulus. Thus, the rubbing of your penis causes erotic dreams that cause an orgasm. We know from experience that the brain doesn’t even need erotic dreams to fill the penis with blood, which means that any kind of dreams can cause semen ejaculation. Older men usually don’t have an ejaculation, but if it occurs, this is often a result of a change in life, such as a healthier life, recreation, a changed diet, medications, giving up alcohol and similar. Otherwise men can only be happy after they the age of 40.