Is It True That Sex Helps Prevent Memory Reduction? This Is The Explanation

JAKARTA - As we get older, maintaining brain health becomes more important. So far, we have known a nutritious diet, physical activity, and mental stimulation as a way to maintain memory. However, recent research shows that an active and healthy sex life can also play a major role in maintaining cognitive functions in the future.

Sexual activity not only helps emotional closeness and physical health, but can also improve brain ability as a person ages.

Some studies finding regular sexual activity can have a positive impact on brain function, especially on older people. Here are some factors that explain this relationship, as reported by Meer.

1. Increase blood flow to the brain

Sexual relations increase blood flow, which brings oxygen and essential nutrients to the brain. Good circulation can improve brain performance and support the development of new brain cells.

2. Encouraging the release of important neurotransmitters

Sexual activity is associated with increasing BDNF production, namely proteins that help maintain brain cells while at the same time encouraging the growth of new nerve cells. This can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment.

3. Reduce stress

Sex is proven to be able to reduce stress levels and help stabilize hormones such as cortisol. High stress in the long term can worsen memory, so a healthy sexual life can provide additional protection for the brain.

4. Including the Form of Physical Activity

Sex is a form of light exercise that has benefits similar to other physical activities. This maintains brain health, improves mood, and increases memory.

Apart from physical factors, emotional closeness that arises from intimacy also plays an important role. Warm relationships can increase comfort, increase self-confidence, and reduce loneliness, all of which have a positive impact on mental health and cognitive function.

Dr. Hayley Wright of Coventry University admits that he is interested in researching how hormones such as dopamine and oxytocin released during sexual activity can affect brain function in parents.

He also emphasized the importance of eliminating the notion that sex is only relevant to young people, because it turns out that sexual activity has a major impact on health and quality of life in the elderly.

Another study from Penn State shows that low sexual satisfaction in middle age can be an early sign of cognitive function decline. In the study, decreased erectile function and reduced sexual satisfaction are related to future memory problems.

Other interesting findings come from an analysis that assesses cognitive abilities including attention, language, memory, and conceptual thinking skills. The results:

- In 75'90 year old participants, the frequency of sexual intercourse is at least once a week related to better cognitive functions five years later.

- In participants aged 6274 years, the quality of sexual relations, both physically and emotionally, is the most decisive factor in brain health in the future.

Other studies also show men who experience decreased sexual activity over time tend to experience a decrease in memory. In addition, those who experience erectile dysfunction have more often had lower cognitive abilities from the start of the study.

In some studies, the hormone estrogen is associated with a better episodic memory ability. However, this result is not always consistent. Even when male and female estrogen levels are equalized, women still show an advantage in certain memory tasks. This shows that the difference in memory is not solely influenced by hormones, but also by other factors such as brain development since childhood.

The relationship between sexual activity and hippocampus, the part of the brain that plays an important role in memory, has also received attention. Studies from forced University found sexual activity that is more often related to the increasing process of neurogenesis (the formation of new brain cells) in women, especially those related to verbal memory.

Sex can also help sleep better. The released endorphins can make the body relax more, which ultimately improve sleep quality. Sufficient sleep is one of the main pillars of brain health, including the process of memory consolidation and mental recovery.