It gives night classes a whole new meaning.
Having sex makes you smarter, research suggests.
A study found that middle-aged rats made more new brain cells after mating.
Scientists at the University of Maryland found
that sex enhanced the number of newly generated neurons in the
hippocampus, where memories are made
Researchers at the University of Maryland also credited frequent sexual activity with increased brainpower.
However, the benefits to the brain were lost if the creatures stopped mating.
A second study, also published last
year, suggested that having sex counteracts the effect of stress on the
brain – at least in mice.
However, while having sex may make you smarter, the converse is not necessarily true.
While having sex may make you smarter, the
converse is not necessarily true. Smarter teens, in fact, tend to delay
the initiation of their sexual activities
HOW SEX MAKES YOU SMARTER
The study found that middle-aged rats made more new brain cells after mating.
Scientists noticed that sex increased the number of newly generated neurons in the hippocampus, where
long-term memories are made.
This stimulation of adult neurogenesis - or the development of neurons - is thought to restore cognitive
function in middle-aged rats.
However the scientists found that after sexual activity was stopped, the improvements in brain power were lost.
The Atlantic website reports: ‘Being smarter does not necessarily mean you’ll have more sex.
‘Smarter teens, in fact, tend to delay the initiation of their coital activities.’
In any case, making new brain cells may not be enough.
Psychologist Tracey Shors told a Society for Neuroscience conference that hard work is needed if these cells are to survive.
She said: ‘You can make new cells with exercise, Prozac and sex.
‘If you do mental training, you’ll keep alive more of the cells you produced.
‘And if you do both, now you have the best of both worlds – you’re making more cells and keeping more alive.’
dailymail.co.uk
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