Scientists Find That Getting Naughty Helps Protect Against Cognitive Decline

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Good news for older adults: a recent study published in The Journal of Sex Research suggests that regular sexual activity may help protect against cognitive decline.

Study Background

The research drew on data from the University of Chicago’s National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), which the university’s National Opinion Research Center (NORC) describes as “the first nationally representative study of the intersection between social and intimate relationships and healthy aging.” Study author Shannon Shen, assistant professor of sociology at Hope College in Michigan, set out to explore whether sexual activity in later life is linked to cognitive health—an area she notes has received little attention despite extensive research on cognitive decline.

Methodology

Shen analyzed a sample of 1,683 adults aged 62 and older who had complete cognitive-health data and were in a partnered relationship (married, cohabiting, or in a romantic, intimate, or sexual partnership).

Key Findings

The results revealed clear age-related patterns. Adults aged 75–90 who reported having sex at least once a week showed better cognitive function five years later than those who had not been sexually active in the previous year. For adults aged 62–74, the quality of sexual activity mattered more than frequency: participants who described their sex lives as both physically pleasurable and emotionally satisfying demonstrated better cognitive outcomes than those who reported lower satisfaction.

“For partnered older Americans, sex matters for later cognitive function, but this depends on age and aspect of the sexual relationship,” Shen told PsyPost. “For adults 75 to 90 years old, having sex once a week or more is related to better cognitive function five years later compared to those who had no sex. For adults 62 to 74 years old, having better sexual quality—both more physical pleasure and emotional satisfaction—was related to better cognitive function five years later.”

Study Limitations

The findings are subject to several caveats. The study focused exclusively on community-dwelling older adults, so results may not apply to those living in nursing homes. In addition, the dataset contained no questions about sexual consent—an important consideration for individuals with more advanced cognitive impairment.

Nevertheless, the research highlights the potential role of intimate relationships in supporting cognitive health in later life and invites broader reflection on how society views sexuality among older adults.

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