Much to the horror of puritanical rodents, researchers found that when rats become chronic sex fiends, they develop more powerful brains.
Negative stress is like kryptonite to neuron growth, and it weakens the precious hippocampus, so researchers wanted to see if “rewarding” stressors like sex could also make a difference.
So, they put male rats through a sex marathon for two weeks straight and then poked around their hippocampus to measure neuron growth, brain cell proliferation, and dendrite complexity. After that, the rats were tested on their novelty suppressed feeding and elevated plus maze skills, and they found improvements every which way.
These findings suggest that sex and other rewarding experiences, reduce anxiety, protect the mind, and improve the brain.
Have lots of sex, and maybe your brain will be e=mc squaring it all over the place.
Or, maybe not. But I doubt you’d regret giving it a go.
Do it for science.
![A scuba diver with fish swimming around him, showcasing the mental focus required for this simple yet exhilarating activity.](https://mindfullyalive.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/np_dive_1500579_00FFF2-150x150.png)
Dive Deeper
Leuner B, Glasper ER, Gould E (2010) Sexual Experience Promotes Adult Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus Despite an Initial Elevation in Stress Hormones.PLoS ONE 5(7): e11597. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011597
2-3X Your
Learning Speed
![Illustration of cartoon neurons with faces connected by dendrites and axons, exploring the nature of being.](https://mindfullyalive.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/exploring-672x372.jpg)
Exploring the Nature of What We Are
This thought-provoking video essay by Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell insightfully deconstructs the nature of what we are. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQVmkDUkZT4 “Are you your body?
![An illustration of an oversized brain with electrical currents emanating from it, situated on a toilet in a pink-tiled bathroom, showcasing the C.R.A.P. Board Technique.](https://mindfullyalive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/powerful_brain_hovering_above_a_toilet_99aa4956-497e-4617-b548-8836f8398683-1-672x372.jpg)
The C.R.A.P. Board Technique
Best-selling author and neuroscience expert Mark Waldman developed a powerful tool to stop the brain from ruminating on problems, fears
![A person meditating cross-legged with a serene expression, surrounded by beautiful purple light patterns.](https://mindfullyalive.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/observe-the-heart-creates-beautiful-visuals-from-meditating-brain-waves--672x372.jpg)
‘Observe the Heart’ Creates Beautiful Visuals from Meditating Brains
SHI Weili created a new, brain-wave-driven art installation called Observe the Heart. The piece aims to make manifest one’s inner experience
![Hand drawing colorful, neon-lit tree-like designs on a dark surface with a glowing pen promotes mind health.](https://mindfullyalive.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/creativity-writing-brain-672x372.jpg)
NeuroTip: Creative Writing Improves the Health of Your Mind
“Life is sometimes hard. Things go wrong, in life and in love, and in business, and in friendship, and in