As someone who has struggled with sleep disorders for years, lying in bed staring at the empty ceiling, my mind races with endless thoughts, especially as a J personality type according to the MBTI test, characterized by meticulous planning down to the minute. Consequently, my brain remains in high gear while trying to fall asleep, leading to difficulties in doing so.

With the rise of the 12-step bedtime wellness trend, everyone has adopted lengthy routines, including sound machines, pillow sprays, skincare serums, CBD tinctures, blue light fasting, sleep meditation, burning sage, and more. In the pursuit of a good night's sleep, this list may continue to grow. But what if there was just one thing to do—orgasm?

A study on PubMed Central unveils that post-orgasm, oxytocin and prolactin are released, while cortisol is suppressed, potentially facilitating sleep. This hints at sexual activity being part of the neurohormonal mechanism promoting sleep after intercourse. While achieving orgasm with a partner seems most advantageous for sleep, the reality is that having a sexual partner indefinitely is uncertain. Being single is often the norm. Fortunately, orgasms achieved through self-stimulation also enhance sleep quality and reduce sleep latency.

Engaging in safe and satisfying sexual activity (alone or with a partner) before bedtime, alongside other sleep hygiene practices, can provide a healthy behavioral approach to improving subsequent sleep for the general adult population.