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Adelaide, Australia – A recent study published in the journal Sleep Health has delved into the age-old question of whether sexual activity can improve sleep. Researchers from Australia have found that both partnered sex and solo masturbation are associated with measurable sleep benefits.
The study, which examined heterosexual couples, revealed that sexual activity, particularly an orgasm, appears to have a soporific effect. This aligns with existing knowledge about the release of hormones like oxytocin and prolactin, and the inhibition of cortisol, all of which are known to have relaxing properties.
Study Details and Findings
The researchers recruited 14 healthy-sleeping couples (28 individuals) and monitored their sleep over 11 nights using a headband that performed polysomnography, a comprehensive sleep study. Participants engaged in three different conditions: partnered sex, no sex, and solo masturbation. They also kept detailed sleep and sex diaries.
The study found that participants experienced higher sleep efficiency, less time awake at night, and increased motivation and readiness for the following day after partnered sex compared to nights with no sexual activity. Similar improvements in sleep efficiency and reduced wakefulness were observed after solo masturbation. Notably, women reported longer sleep and less wakefulness after both partnered sex and solo masturbation.
“Overall, participants had a higher sleep efficiency, spent less time awake at night, attempted sleep later, and were more motivated and ready for the upcoming day in the partnered sex condition compared to those who had no sexual activity with their partner,” the researchers stated.
Furthermore, the study revealed that orgasm intensity correlated significantly with motivation, readiness, and subjective sleep quality. The no-sex condition resulted in more time spent awake post-sleep onset compared to the other conditions.
Interestingly, the study also examined REM sleep concordance, finding that couples sleeping together, regardless of sexual activity, experienced longer REM sleep synchronization.
Implications and Limitations
The researchers concluded that their findings suggest that sexual activity, whether partnered or solo, may be a potentially useful non-pharmacological method to enhance sleep quality. They also highlighted the positive impact of simply sleeping together on REM sleep synchronization.
However, the study had several limitations. The sample size was small, consisting of only 14 heterosexual couples from South Australia. The study also excluded individuals with sleep disorders, pregnant individuals, and those with children. Future research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to confirm these findings. Other factors, such as relationship satisfaction, attachment style, and menstrual cycle, were not controlled for, which could also influence the results.
Journal Reference:
Lastella M, Miller DJ, Montero A, et al. Sleep on it: A pilot study exploring the impact of sexual activity on sleep outcomes in cohabiting couples. Sleep Health, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2024.11.004, https://www.sleephealthjournal.org/article/S2352-7218(24)00261-4/fulltext
Disclaimer: This article is based on a single small-scale study and should not be taken as definitive medical advice. Individual experiences with sleep and the impact of sexual activity can vary widely. If you have concerns about your sleep or sexual health, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional.
