High-quality sex in later life can keep the brain healthy.
Good sex in later life keeps the brain healthy
Experts have found that men and women aged between 62 and 74 who felt that their sex life was "very pleasurable and satisfying" had better cognitive health scores five years later than those who were less enthusiastic about their activity between the sheets.
The researchers explained that this could be because of the stress-relieving benefits of making love as well as the release of the pleasure hormone, dopamine.
The team from Hope College, Michigan wrote in the Journal of Sex Research: "Stress prevents the new formation of neurons (neurogenesis) in the hippocampus, an area of the brain associated with memory.
"Older adults who enjoy satisfying sexual activities may experience decreased stress that may in turn protect neurogenesis."
The experts added: "Sexual satisfaction is associated with orgasm, and an orgasm releases a rush of dopamine.
"Thus, people with more sexually satisfying relationships may experience higher levels of dopamine, which has been linked to improved memory in older adults."