Does Sex Help You Sleep?

Lovemaking. Relations. The business. A roll in the hay. Whatever you call it, it does wonders for your well-being.

You see, aside from setting off fireworks in your brain*, getting intimate with someone (or yourself) poses legitimate health benefits, including reducing anxiety, lowering your blood pressure, and even boosting your immune system.

*These ‘fireworks’ are a cocktail of hormones, triggered by orgasm. And while they feel amazing – and they really, really do – they also have a huge impact on the quality of your sleep, for all kinds of reasons, some physiological, others psychological.

So, as Valentine’s Day is (almost) upon us, we figured we’d investigate the relationship between sex and sleep. We think you’ll like what we’ve discovered.

Is Sex Good for Sleep?

Yes. Next question.

Oh, you wanted an explanation? That we can do. (Tastefully, of course.)

It won’t surprise you to learn that your body loves sex. It relaxes your muscles, regulates your blood flow, and even serves as natural pain relief: each contributing to restful sleep.

Your mind loves sex, too, and mutually satisfying intercourse boosts your mood and (to no one’s surprise) relieves stress, making it easier for your brain to switch off at night.

You see, after sex, a wave of hormones floods your brain, including dopamine (the literal pleasure hormone), norepinephrine, and progesterone. These hormones promote an overall… relaxed feeling, which lulls you into a dozy state, perfect for sleep.

And the hormones don’t stop there.

For women, sex triggers a spike in estrogen levels, which has been linked to improved quality REM sleep. (The stage of deep sleep linked to memory and learning.)

Men, on the other hand, benefit from a massive surge of prolactin, which prompts an overall… fatigue-y feeling, making it easier to drift off. (Yes. Men actually get drowsy after sex.)

Together, these sensations lead to the blissed-out sensation commonly known as the ‘afterglow’. In this ultra-relaxed, supremely satisfied state, your body finds it easier to slip into slumber.

The cuddles don’t hurt, either.

It’s also worth noting that the relationship between sex and sleep is bidirectional; sex improves sleep quality, and better sleep leads to better sex.

How? Well, according to research published in 2015, getting more sleep leads to having more sex.

Makes sense, doesn’t it? If you’re better rested, you’re more likely to be, y’know… ‘in the mood’, which, as we’re discovering, has a positive impact on the quality and quantity of sleep you get.

Sex and Sleep: Partners in Stress Relief

As mentioned, the relationship between sex and sleep hinges on a heady mix of hormones, but there’s one we figured we’d highlight: oxycontin.

Often known as ‘the love-hormone’ (which sounds pulled straight from the hippy-era), oxycontin floods your system after you orgasm, and it gets straight to work combatting the levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in your body.

Cortisol is, essentially, oxycontin’s polar opposite. (And you know what they say about opposites.) The higher the level of cortisol in your system, the more difficult it is to sleep.

FYI: cortisol is responsible for that sort of… wired feeling you get when you’re anxious. It’s part of your body’s fight-or-flight response.

Fortunately, orgasms trigger a burst of oxycontin, which counters the level of cortisol in your body, creating the kind of tranquil feeling needed for sleep.

Do Orgasms Help You Sleep?

You know that blissed-out, space-y feeling you get after an orgasm? Well, it’s a key factor in the relationship between sex and sleep. And you’ve got your hormones to thank.

You see, when you have an orgasm, your brain lights up and starts firing out hormones like they’re going out of fashion.

Oxycontin. Serotonin. Norepinephrine. Vasopressin. Prolactin. Each of these chemicals floods your system post-orgasm, and they all play a role in promoting quality sleep.

Whether it’s riding the wave of good feeling produced by oxycontin (clinically proven to make you feel warm and fuzzy), benefitting from norepinephrine’s ability to regulate your sleep-wake cycle, or enjoying deep REM sleep supported by serotonin, having an orgasm can do wonders for the quality of your sleep.

And, you know, they feel fantastic. So, there’s that.

Do Some Sexual Positions Help You Sleep Better?

No matter which positions you get down and snuggly in, there are clear sleep-benefits to having satisfying sex before bed, from improved REM sleep to lower levels of anxiety.

But, as it turns out, some positions are superior for sleep, and can dramatically improve your REM sleep.

For example, participants in a 2021 study reported that coupling in doggystyle boosted REM sleep by up to 43%, with the lotus position and eagle-style also noted as boosting sleep quality.

If you’re seeking out new positions and eager to snag better sleep, you know where to start.

So, does sex help you sleep? Based on the cocktail of sleep-friendly hormones released at orgasm, the physical sensation of relaxed muscles and the emotional benefits of intimacy, the answer is an emphatic, cuddle-tastic yes.

For more tips on getting better sleep, check out our sleep blog. And be sure sign up for our email newsletter to make sure you never miss a post.