Sex is a common and natural activity amongst adults that serves different purposes, including pleasure, stress relief, and bonding. And now, it has been found that sex could also have a positive impact on memory retention.

A new study has found that sexual activity, particularly in physically and emotionally close relationships, could improve memory retention and make individuals remember better.

The Study

The study was conducted by researchers at McGill University and involved male and female rats as subjects. The rats were divided into two groups, with one group being exposed to sexual activity while the other was not.

The researchers found that the rats that were exposed to sexual activity had better memory retention in tests than those that weren’t.

How The Study Was Conducted

In the study, the rats were placed in a maze and given a food reward at the end. The researchers looked at how long the rats took to complete the maze and whether they were able to remember how to navigate the maze in future tests.

The rats that were exposed to sexual activity were allowed to mate for 14 days before they were put through the maze test. The rats that weren’t exposed to sexual activity, on the other hand, were kept away from their mates.

In the end, the rats that were exposed to sexual activity showed better memory retention than those that weren’t exposed to sexual activity.

Why Sexual Activity Could Improve Memory

According to the researchers at McGill University, sexual activity could increase the production of new brain cells in the hippocampus, a region of the brain that’s involved in learning and memory.

Sex could also trigger the release of hormones like oxytocin and dopamine that promote bonding and positive feelings, leading to better memory retention.

The researchers noted that the rats that were exposed to sexual activity showed higher levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that’s involved in the growth and survival of brain cells.

BDNF helps in neurogenesis, the formation of new brain cells.

The Role of Physical and Emotional Intimacy

The study also showed that sexual activity was more effective at improving memory retention when it was in the context of a physically and emotionally close relationship.

The rats that were exposed to sexual activity with a partner they had bonded with were more likely to show improved memory retention than those that weren’t exposed to sexual activity or were exposed to sexual activity with a partner they hadn’t bonded with.

This indicates that sexual activity alone may not be enough to improve memory retention. Physical and emotional intimacy could enhance the overall experience and lead to better memory retention.

Implications for Humans

The findings of the study suggest that sexual activity could have similar benefits for humans.

Sexual activity could increase the production of new brain cells and promote the release of hormones that could enhance bonding and positive feelings, ultimately leading to better memory retention.

However, the researchers noted that the study’s findings are limited to rats and further research is needed to confirm the same effects in humans.

Conclusion

The study conducted by researchers at McGill University has found that sexual activity, particularly in physically and emotionally close relationships, could improve memory retention.

The study’s findings suggest that sexual activity could increase the production of new brain cells, promote the release of hormones that enhance bonding and positive feelings, and ultimately lead to better memory retention. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in humans.