Whether you’re thinking of Mad Men’s Don Draper suckling on a Lucky Strike or Pulp Fiction’s Mia Wallace huffing down an ashtray, cigarettes are a sex symbol. But how did this slender stick of tobacco that stain teeth, smells bad, and shortens life came to be considered the perfect post-sex accessory?
It’s a habit
Smoking after sex is a common habit for many smokers. Whether it’s a regular cigarette or an e-cigarette, smoking after sex can feel pretty good. The reason is that nicotine stimulates pleasure centers in the brain and releases serotonin and dopamine, two hormones that can increase sexual desire. Moreover, smoking after sex compounds two really good feelings: orgasm and the satisfaction of a good smoke.
Smokers may also find that it is a great way to bond with their partners. It can help them relax after sex and can even lead to more intimate conversations. In addition, it can also help them achieve sexual climax more quickly. Nevertheless, smoking after sex can be risky and is not recommended.
Although America once despised sex and cigarettes, thanks to the marketing genius of Edward Bernays (nephew of Sigmund Freud), the association between the two became increasingly sexualized. Soon, Hollywood films showed alluring female characters smoking after sex, and the practice grew in popularity.
Today, the association between sex and smoking is largely a cultural phenomenon, but people are still doing it. According to a recent study by social polling app Winq, 81% of smokers say they always have or crave a cigarette after sex. They do so despite the health risks, and for a variety of reasons. But why is that?
It’s a ritual
Smoking is a ritual that is associated with sex for many people. It is a way to bond with a partner, and it is also a great way to relax after sex. Some people even smoke after having sex because they think it increases their libido. However, the scientific evidence is not strong enough to support this claim.
According to an article by Mic, there is not much good research on the effects of smoking after sex. In fact, most of the academics and physicians Mic contacted did not have any idea why smokers enjoy an after-sex puff. They hazarded that it might be due to addiction or Hollywood, but were unable to prove this claim.
In addition to the physical sensations of nicotine, cigarette smoke contains pleasure-producing chemicals that boost serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. These are the same hormones released during orgasm, and a cigarette after sex compounds two very pleasurable experiences.
The association between sex and smoking first appeared in American culture, thanks to cigarette ads that used sexual themes to sell the product. Then movies and TV shows started depicting couples sharing a post-coital cigarette. This trope reached its peak in the ’60s and ’70s, when anti-tobacco campaigns were in their early stages and media was moving toward sexual frankness.
It’s a way to relax
Smoking after sex is a popular ritual for many couples. It helps to relax the body and can also boost libido. It also provides an opportunity to bond with your partner in a more intimate way and can enhance the experience of sex. This is a reason why it is so common to see couples smoking after sex in movies and television shows.
However, this is not a universal behavior. A study conducted by Victoria Milan — an online dating website for married and attached people — found that most people who smoke after sex aren’t regular smokers. They just like the way smoking feels after sex, and it’s a nice complement to their other sexual activities.
Nicotine cravings are intensified when a person isn’t smoking for long periods of time, and the brain needs a regular supply to feel happy and relaxed. This is why it is so important for people who are trying to quit smoking to switch to a vape device, which can provide them with the same satisfaction that cigarettes do.
In addition to the nicotine buzz, smoking after sex also increases orgasms and reduces the refractory period between orgasms. This allows you to feel more satisfied and ready for more intercourse. In addition, it’s a great way to build up your confidence.
It’s a way to communicate
Smoking after sex has become a cultural phenomenon. From Mad Men’s Don Draper sucking on a Lucky Strike to Mia Wallace gazing seductively into the camera in Pulp Fiction, we have come to associate smoking with sex. This is no accident; the connection was consciously cultivated in the 1900s by tobacco marketers. Early advertising equated smoking with virility, sexual prowess, and improved performance. Men smoked cigars, while women drew the smoke from cigarettes known as “cigarettes” (the word was originally female because the French suffix “-ettes” is attached to words to make them sound more feminine).
Then came Hollywood films that showed alluring women puffing on a cigarette after a steamy session in the bedroom. Although the Hays Code of 1940s and 1950s censors prohibited any explicit sexual imagery, audiences saw this depiction as a sign of sexual liberation and emancipation for women.
Today, many people smoke after sex as a way to relax or to bond with their partners. It’s a common practice among college students who are just starting out and for older smokers who have been doing it for years. The appeal of smoking after sex is also likely related to the fact that nicotine makes people feel good. It also boosts the metabolism and increases blood flow, which may improve libido. However, these claims have not been scientifically proven.
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