Orgasms Are Better For Your Brain Than Crosswords

There's a general consensus these days that brain puzzle activities, like crosswords and word searches, are one of the best ways to keep your brain all limber and powered-up. But a new study says there's something that's actually better for your brain, and it can't be found in your local Sunday paper. It is, however, free, and easy to obtain. What is it? An orgasm!

Yup, that's what researchers Barry Komisaruk and Nan Wise at Rutgers University found during their study. Using female subjects willing to have orgasms (solo orgasms, that is) in a fMRI machine that measured blood flow in their bodies, Komisaruk and Wise determined that orgasm increases blood flow to all parts of the brain. Orgasms also increase oxygenation of the brain, and bring nutrients, too. Komisaruk said:

"Mental exercises increase brain activity but only in relatively localized regions. Orgasm activates the whole.”

Sweet, right? That doesn't necessarily mean you should replace your little travel book of crossword puzzles with a vibrator (how awkward would THAT airplane seatmate interaction be?), but this is still valuable information, I think. Especially if you're trying to decide whether or not to fit sex, masturbation, or a little bit of brain puzzles into your day. At this point, it's kind of a no-brainer.