Sex and the Sharper Mind

A recent Wall Street Journal headline read, “Sex in Old Age May Lead to a Sharper Mind.” The article describes a study in which Dutch researchers looked into the way cognitive function and attitudes toward sexuality might be related among older people. Nearly 2,000 adults, with an average age of 71, were given a variety of cognitive tests. They were also asked a series of questions about sex—whether it was important for older people generally or themselves personally, whether they found it pleasant or unpleasant. They were asked whether they still benefited from intimacy and touching.

Quite a few—41 percent—said that their current sexuality wasn’t important, but 42 percent said it was important for older people in general. A quarter considered sex important or very important. Only 6 percent found sexual activity unpleasant. More than two-thirds believed that intimacy and touching were still vital.

The results of these questions and the cognitive tests were correlated. Both men and women who thought sex was important and were satisfied with their current sex lives tended to do better on the cognitive tests.

The Wall Street Journal article points out that the study made no claim that sex improves brain function, or vice versa: only that the two are associated. It can be difficult to disentangle cause and effect.

Another study looked at how cognitive function affects sexual behavior interest and sexual behavior among the elderly. The 352 Italians studied were between 65 and 105 years old. They were asked, “Are you interested in sex?” and “Do you have sexual relations?” They were also given two tests of cognitive functioning. One third were still having sex and 40 percent were still interested. This study suggested that a sharper mind might help keep a sex life going.

It could be that older people who are healthy enough to have sex are also healthy enough to do well on cognitive tests. Generally, whatever is good for the brain is also good for sex. That’s a good reason to keep on exercising, or to start.