The potential positive and negative effects of hookup culture. Sarah Vanbuskirk has over 20 years of experience as a writer and editor, covering a range of health, wellness, lifestyle, and family-related topics.
Carly Snyder, MD is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments.
Casual sex can have positive and negative effects on your mental health, but not everyone is affected in the same way. How you respond to casual sexual relationships depends on many factors, including your beliefs, relationships, sexuality, identity, religion, upbringing, and self-esteem.
Attitudes toward casual sex tend to shift as life circumstancesβand relationship statuses βchange. Depending on the context, it's celebrated, relished, derided, envied, and stigmatized. Some people consider it seriously, evaluating all the possible emotional and physical ramifications, potential benefits, and drawbacks before having casual sex.
Others take the idea a bit more Whether you're inclined to go with the flow or debate the nitty-gritty, take a look at the cultural context and potential mental health effects of casual sex when deciding if it's right for you.
