Why sex is good for sleep: Adelaide sleep researcher Dr Michele Lastella explains

STRUGGLING to get some good shuteye? More sex might be the answer you’re looking for. An Adelaide researcher tells us why.

PEOPLE should switch off their phone and switch on their libido before bed to get a better night’s sleep, Adelaide research has found.

And the real secret to a good night’s sleep relies on the satisfaction of both parties, according to the local study.

Adelaide sleep researcher Dr Michele Lastella said a worsening problem for people’s sleep patterns was not being able to “switch off”.

SLEEP TIGHT: Dr Michele Lastella with Frankie Marafioti and Dani Caceres. Dr Lastella, based at CQUni’s Appleton Institute for Behavioural Science in Adelaide, is researching if sex is good for your sleep. Picture: TAIT SCHMAAL

“There’s strong evidence to suggest substituting screen time for play time,” he said. “When you’re engaging in sex, you’re not thinking about what to do the next day, you’re not going through your phones. It distracts you.”

Dr Lastella said his recent survey of more than 460 adults aged 18-70 found sex could aid a sound sleep — but it needed to be mutually satisfying.

“What we found was 64 per cent of our respondents indicated they slept better when sex was with a partner and it involves an orgasm,” he said.

“(That was) compared to better sleep for 50 per cent of respondents who’d orgasmed on their own, through masturbation.”

Dr Lastella, based at CQUniversity’s Appleton Institute for Behavioural Science in Adelaide, said sex may also produce “a biochemical cocktail” — an increase in oxytocin and prolactin and a decrease in the production of stress hormone cortisol, which “can leave us feeling quite relaxed”.

Dr Lastella presented his findings at the national final of the 5 Minute Research Pitch competition at CQUniversity Melbourne last month.

He was runner-up and won a share of $6000 to go towards his research project.

“The next step is to potentially conduct a controlled trial where we actually get people to increase the frequency of sex they have and examine their sleep and other health related outcomes,” he said.

Adelaide couple Frank Marafioti, 28, and Dani Caceres, 22, said they weren’t surprised by the research findings.

“I think you would be feeling relaxed and a sense of relief (after sex with a partner),” Mr Marafioti said.