A recent research indicated that after sexual activity, 75% of adults reported an improvement in sleep, comparable to the impact of a sleeping pill. The study pointed out that this area has been mostly overlooked, suggesting that further research should be carried out to understand whether the sleep enhancement is due to the physical effects of orgasm or the emotional bond between partners.
The majority of adults stated that their sleep quality was better after sexual intercourse.
The SLEEP 2023 annual meeting recently showcased research that found that 75% of adults reported better sleep following sexual activity, with most stating that the benefits of sleeping pills on their sleep was equivalent to or less significant than those of sex.
The results of the survey showed that 75% of participants experienced improved sleep after engaging in sexual activity before bedtime, with most noticing a modest improvement in sleep quality on such nights. Furthermore, 64% of participants stated that the impact of sleeping pills on their sleep was similar to or less beneficial than sex.
“Scientific research has not thoroughly explored the effect of sex and orgasm on sleep quality,” commented lead researcher Dr. Douglas Kirsch, medical director of sleep medicine at Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Although this data is very preliminary, it was intriguing to see how frequently sex was used as a sleep aid.”
The study included 53 adults who answered an eight-question online survey that was shared on social media. The majority of respondents, 89%, were aged between 25 and 49 years, and 53% were female.
According to Kirsch and co-author Dr. Seema Khosla, medical director of the North Dakota Center for Sleep in Fargo, it’s been widely suggested in films and books that people fall asleep more rapidly after sexual activity. However, this association has received little research, and more questions remain unanswered.
Kirsch expressed his interest in finding out if the effect of sex on sleep is mainly a physiological process tied to orgasm. If not, he questions if similar outcomes could be obtained after deep connections between partners without involving sex.
“This initial data opens a discussion on an area mostly uncharted around sex and insomnia,” stated Khosla.
Source: “How Well Does Sexual Activity Improve Sleep When Compared With Pharmacologic Sleep Aids?” by Douglas Kirsch and Seema Khosla, 29 May 2023, SLEEP.
DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsad077.0405
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Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sleep Improvement
Question 1:
What did the recent study reveal about sleep improvement and sexual activity?
Answer 1:
The recent study found that 75% of adults experienced improved sleep after engaging in sexual activity. Many participants likened this improvement to the effect of a sleeping pill.
Question 2:
What did the researchers suggest for future investigations?
Answer 2:
The researchers recommended further investigations to determine whether the sleep improvement after sexual activity is due to the physiological process of orgasm or the meaningful connection between partners.
Question 3:
What were the outcomes of the survey conducted during the study?
Answer 3:
The survey results showed that 75% of respondents reported enhanced sleep when engaging in sexual activity before bed. Additionally, 64% of participants found the impact of sleeping pills on their sleep to be comparable to or less advantageous than that of sex.
