Can sex be repositioned as a sleep therapy?
Published:01 November 2016

CQUniversity Adelaide researcher Dr Michele Lastella
Aussies are being asked to open up about their experiences with sleep and sex, through a new confidential survey.
CQUniversity Adelaide researcher Dr Michele Lastella and colleagues Dr Jessica Paterson, Dr Amy Reynolds, and Dr Cathy O’Mullan are embarking on phase one of a project evaluating the potential of ‘Sex as Sleep Therapy’.
“The project is based on some preliminary research evidence that, after humans have sex and achieve orgasm, we have a massive release of a hormone called oxytocin,” Dr Lastella says.
“This hormone among many other feel-good hormones has been said to act as a sedative to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep.”
Dr Lastella says the ‘Are you getting enough: Sex as Sleep Therapy’ survey, accessible via ‘CQUniversity Adelaide – The Appleton Institute’ on Facebook, or direct via http://fb.me/2zgXjmsdl, is open to all adults.
“We will be asking questions about various aspects of people’s sleep and sex, with all answers confidential,” he says.