Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Why Trust Us? Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, PhD is a sex and relationship expert and tenured professor of relational and sexual communication at California State University, Fullerton.
But there are some potential benefits to an NSA relationship, according to relationship therapists. One major benefit of having a NSA relationship is simply being able to enjoy sex and physical intimacy, Suwinyattichaiporn says.
Sex has many benefits, tooβfor instance, research shows it can help boost your mood by releasing feel-good hormones like oxytocin, which help you relax, reduce stress, and feel intimate with your partner. In some cases, orgasms can even help you sleep better. Enough said. This might also be a good set-up if you're sexually attracted to a specific person, but you might not be compatible in the long-term.
Not all casual hookups are positive, of course, and some research suggests that your attachment style can impact your ability to enjoy them. Because many NSA relationships are focused on the physical aspect, a potential downside is that your connection may end up lacking emotional intimacy, Suwinyattichaiporn says. Plus, casually hooking up with someone can sometimes mean less honesty, adds Simms.
How do you make sure nobody gets hurt in the end? Do you have a plan to get regularly tested for STIs so that you and your partner stay safe? Suwinyattichaiporn recommends having an honest conversation with the person to define the relationship. What are the logistics? When entering an NSA relationship, Mintz recommends establishing ongoing, clear consent always, but especially if alcohol or substances are involved and using protection like condoms or other forms of birth control to prevent pregnancy and STIs.
