Sleep expert assures sex before bed can help you rest better

A sleep specialist assures that intimacy before bed can promote a deeper and more restorative rest. According to the specialist, if a person has difficulty falling asleep, having sex before sleeping could help them relax and sleep better during the night. The benefit is not solely due to physical effort. When intimacy occurs with someone with whom there is an emotional bond, the body releases different hormones and neurotransmitters associated with well-being and relaxation, which facilitates the transition to sleep.

With the arrival of Valentine's Day, psychophysiologist Dr. Kristen Holmes explained why sexual activity and nighttime rest are closely connected. In statements reported by an article published by Daily Mail, she pointed out that the effect can be compared, in a way, to that of a relaxing drink: it helps to reduce tensions and creates favorable conditions for rest.

In a way, sex is similar to alcohol in that "a drink" can relax you, creating the conditions for intimacy and relaxation," Holmes told The Telegraph .

During excitement and especially during orgasm, the body releases a combination of chemicals related to pleasure, attachment, and trust. Among them, oxytocin stands out, known as the “love hormone”, which helps reduce cortisol, the main stress hormone.

At the same time, it increases serotonin, linked to emotional well-being and relaxation. After orgasm, prolactin is also released, a hormone that temporarily reduces arousal and generates a feeling of calm and satisfaction. This entire biological process favors the body entering a state conducive to sleep. Recent research supports this relationship between intimacy and sleep. A 2023 scientific review that analyzed 43 studies found a clear association between the quality and duration of nighttime rest and the frequency of sexual activity.

Another more recent study used digital sleep trackers in the participants' homes, instead of laboratories. The results showed that those who had sexual activity or personal pleasure right before bed tended to wake up less during the night.

Most notable in women

Although the researchers could not determine the exact mechanism, they suggested that the hormonal release after orgasm could be responsible for improving the quality of rest.

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The effect also seemed to be particularly noticeable in women. The data indicated that on nights with sexual activity, participants stayed awake an average of 16 minutes during the night, compared to almost 23 minutes when there was no intimacy. An improvement was also observed in sleep efficiency — the percentage of time in bed actually spent sleeping — which increased to 93.4%, suggesting deeper and more continuous rest.

These findings challenge the stereotype that only men fall asleep after orgasm. In reality, studies indicate that women also sleep more and wake up less, both after intimacy with a partner and alone.

In conclusion, the scientific evidence suggests that sexual activity and sleep are closely related: "Therefore, sex and sleep are really intertwined: the better the sex, the more you will sleep and vice versa", said Dr. Holmes.