This is a blogged retweet from the user “God” on Twitter (yes, even the Creator of the Universe is on Twitter)

The NewScientist is a fairly respectable publication, but not completely above April Fool’s Day jokes..  It is half-way between professional journal and public-consumption science.

I was more than mildly amused by an article touting the benefits of masturbation for the relief of spring allergy symptoms.

The theory is that congestion is a result of inflamed & swollen (getting dirty already) blood vessels in the nose.  Ejaculation results in a system-wide constriction of blood vessels, thereby bringing relief to your stuffy nose.  The scientist behind the theory claims that this has benefits over using typical allergy medication.  He points out that it might be difficult to put into practice while you are suffering symptoms in a public place, such as at work (isn’t that what executive bathrooms are for?).

The author states that sex with a partner can also accomplish the same task, but apparently the decongestive relief is for men only.  So if she is sneezing in bed and you are not, tell her to blame science.

Check out this picture included with the article – I am not sure whether the guy is sneezing or masturbating.   Sweaty hair, pained look on face, wadful of kleenex in hand…