If you’ve been tossing and turning all night lately, struggling to catch even a wink of sleep, there could be a simple (sexy) solution you can incorporate into your bedtime routine.
According to a recent survey by female-focused sex toy brand Femme Funn, a whopping 95 per cent of people revealed they had a better night’s sleep after having an orgasm. This result should come as no surprise: there have been other similar surveys and studies over the years that have linked masturbation with a solid night of shut-eye.
See also: Why masturbating regularly can improve female health.
How does masturbation help you sleep?
In short: it’s a neurochemical thing — and we’re not just talking about lowering your levels of cortisol, the chemical associated with stress. One study published in Frontiers in Public Health explains that the release of oxytocin and prolactin after a partnered or solo sex session is behind improved sleep. The study even explained that masturbation, without reaching orgasm, might still be enough to send you off into dreamland thanks to the general state of relaxation that occurs during the act.
Although there’s no specific data on how common it is for masturbation to improve sleep overall, the scientific link between the two heavily implies that anyone who masturbates at bedtime should experience better quality sleep. It doesn’t even matter which method you opt for — be it sex toys or your own digits — as it’s the orgasm itself that results in shut-eye, regardless of how you get there.
See also: Sex Sessions: goals for sex that aren’t orgasm.
So, the next time you’re looking for a quick fix for catching up on your Zzz’s (remember: you can never get enough sleep), set the mood with a little self-stimulation to release all that prolactin — the hormone linked to sexual satisfaction and sleep. It’s the most fun sleep aid out there — and it’s free! Let your O help you with the Zzz’s.
You may also like: 21 sex myths everyone thinks are true.
