In what could spark heated debate, a research by an American university has established that more sex is likely to make men believe in God.
The journal published by Duke University established that men are likely to increase their believes towards God when they have regular sex.
It also comes in medication form and is often used to help women in labour. But in the study, men reported a greater sense of spirituality shortly after taking oxytocin and their feelings continued a week later.
According to a news website for the University, Duke Today, lead author Patty Van Cappellen, a social psychologist at the American University, said: ‘Spirituality and meditation have each been linked to health and well-being in previous research.
"We were interested in understanding biological factors that may enhance those spiritual experiences."
Oxytocin appears to be part of the way our bodies support spiritual beliefs.
To test the chemical reaction some of the men were given the hormone whilst others took a placebo. The men who got a dose of the ‘love hormone’ were more likely to say that spirituality was an important part of their lives.
Oxytocin, it seems, sparked more positive emotions, such as awe, gratitude, hope, inspiration, love, and serenity.
But it didn't affect everyone equally – those with a certain gene, called CD38 and which regulates its release in the brain, had a much more amplified response.
Dr Van Cappellen adds that another study needs to be carried out with women as the chemical operates differently between genders.
She added: ‘Spirituality is complex and affected by many factors. ‘However, oxytocin does seem to affect how we perceive the world and what we believe.
The research comes at the time Sub Sahara Africa countries are struggling with increased sexual intercourse related diseases among them HIV and Aids.
According to statistics by Kenya's Health Department, over 2 million people are now being treated of HIV/Aids and related diseases, a move that is of a greater concern.