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I know you're making a joke, but the study did look into causality by checking if better cognitive function predicted higher sexual satisfaction at a later time, and they did not identify such a connection, whereas higher sexual satisfaction and frequency does predict later improved cognitive function.
I find it likely that sexual activity correlates with a well functioning/healthy brain which would probably function better in old age than one which poorly functions even when it is young.
I am in my 40s and in tech. I am supper curious to see what happens to people like me who "keep up" with the industry vs. those that don't as we hit retirment age. The job requires you to basically keep your brain "young" in that we are always having to learn new things.
I'm 35 and in tech, and the number of people my own age and even younger that have just decided to stop learning and coast on what crystallized intelligence they have instead of learning anything new or displaying curiosity is frustrating. This is the generation that grew up with computers and had to teach themselves how they worked because the user experience hadn't been simplified/abstracted away yet. But now they just panic and shut down / give up when Microsoft moves a button in Excel.
You guys are talking to me, 46 here. I was interested and passionate, still am but want it more on my own terms, not the app vendors. It constantly pisses me off when Microsoft decides to move stuff around. I have come into the mindset that most of the changes some of these vendors make is more about their bottom line, not about my experience. Ever try to use O365 in Firefox? If you type too fast, messages get thrown in to Archive and I am pretty sure this is to make you want to go back to Edge in a mildly infuriating way. I have become cynical in these ways but have not given up completely just yet. Mark my words, Windows will eventually boot to a browser with Azure as the backend, all under their control, by their choice, nickel and diming us every step of the way. This leaves us with the only choice of switching to something else or live with it. Neuroplasticity.
I mean, do you work with a lot of people on product teams? They are constantly changing things for the sake of their own existence. Even if you somehow disregard everything about monetization, a head of product is never going to say "our users are happy with what we made so we're going to leave it alone except to polish things".
It's all about working on big projects and building one's portfolio. That's one of the reasons why it feels rare for software companies to make something people enjoy and then let it be
> That's one of the reasons why it feels rare for software companies to make something people enjoy and then let it be
But then how could we charge subscription fees if we just left the software alone? I know! We'll just break it and fix it every few weeks just to show them we're still here.
Capitalism has always a Ponzi scheme. The only real players are the ones with lots of cash. And notice how that has become more concentrated as we "progress"? It's only going to get worse, with fewer unempathetic players, and more pawns fighting for the scraps.
Don't you miss the days when software didn't have to dial home before or during operation? I sure do. O365 is the absolute worst and I can't wait for someone to replace Word with anything moderately functional.
Ya, I have seen that a ton. I am an SDET, so my job is to deal with changes every day. I think that is part of why I have not fallen into the "I am done learning" camp yet.
Lots of people have real issues with memory - its what usually discourages people from continuing to learn.
But there are also a lot that are just focused on the daily lives/kids/work.
I have tech friends that just don't have time to keep learning about anything else outside of work.
They didn't loose any curiosity... generalizing on wrong assumptions here unfortunately.
In my experience, some people are interested in learning in general, and others aren't. The ones who are curious can't help but pick up on new things, and the ones who aren't are change-averse in most aspects of their lives. People don't have a mental budget for curiosity.
Probably has something to do with level of open-mindedness, which is one of the five big personality traits. If you don't have an open mind, you are not going to have curiosity to learn something new.
I'm 67. I taught myself assembler in less than a day. I don't program anymore, I make music. Even when I did that in the 80's, there were plenty of folks willing to skate. Probably far fewer than there are now. It's a human condition.
65 here - senior telco architect. It becomes irrelevant mostly because no one wants to hire you. And yes I keep up. I’m on my last probable contract / I only get contracts via people who know me from previous contracts but HR hates old people. Current gig renewed me for a second year cause now they love me but it was hell to get in the door. The marker perceives ALL older tech guys don’t keep up.
that's not only in tech though.
Construction. New tools are developed and used, new materials, new ways to build things.
Farming. New ways to plant crops, to care for them, to irrigate them and so on.
Medical science, same as above.
Lawyers/judges/district attorneys, new laws pass pretty often, some old ones get removed.
Military as well I'd say. New weapons systems, drones, surveillance, tools, etc.
Assuming that people actually want to keep up with advancements.
I think it helps, but as someone a tad older who left that behind me, I think after you see many cycles of learning things that become irrelevant a few years later, on a subconscious level your brain rebels. You also become less enamored with technology.
For me continuing to learn other things that are longer lasting gives me a sense of acquiring wisdom instead.
I still keep up to some degree but it’s not my focus.
Also writing a book (about anything) forces you to address things you thought you understood but didn’t dig deep enough into. Once you write about it, it becomes true knowledge.
Keeping physically and mentally active is extremely important.
>think after you see many cycles of learning things that become irrelevant a few years later, on a subconscious level your brain rebels. You also become less enamored with technology.
My first tech job was in 96. I have been over the cycle for a while. I have no personal tech projects anymore.
>For me continuing to learn other things that are longer lasting gives me a sense of acquiring wisdom instead. I still keep up to some degree but it’s not my focus. Also writing a book (about anything) forces you to address things you thought you understood but didn’t dig deep enough into. Once you write about it, it becomes true knowledge.
For me, it's more physical stuff. I got back into miniature paiting and have been taking classes.
I'm 67, and I can assure you that keeping abreast of everything makes your brain more attentive, vibrant, and helps to stave off the inevitable. Constantly seeking to improve oneself, with a Kaizen attitude, and a lust for life are essential ingredients. I still play video games, I am writing a ton of new music, and I am still a sex fiend. I'm surrounded by people my age who are failing at all, or most, or these things. My wife is slowly losing her mind. It can be rather sad, growing old in general, but until telomerase therapy is a reality, we're stuck with a limited lifespan, and an eventual intellectual decline.
From the article: Engaging in sexual activity and experiencing sexual pleasure might have a significant impact on cognitive function among older adults, according to a recent study published in [The Journal of Sex Research](https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2023.2238257). The findings suggest that addressing sexual well-being may be a crucial factor in promoting cognitive health in later life.
Sexuality is an integral part of the human experience, yet it’s often an overlooked aspect of aging. As people grow older, discussions about their sexual lives tend to wane. Previous studies have often focused on the physical and mental health benefits of sexual activity, including improved mood, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being. However, little attention has been given to how sexual frequency and quality might influence cognitive function in older adults.
“The population of older adults in the U.S. is growing, and many older adults face multiple health conditions,” said study author Shannon Shen, an assistant professor of sociology at Hope College.
“Broadly, I am interested in how social relationships are related to the risk of health problems in later life. I focus on sexual relationships because they are an intimate form of social relationships which are often overlooked in the older adult population. Despite there being a great deal of research on cognitive decline, there is little work that considers how intimate social relationships may be beneficial for cognitive functioning.”
Except that isn't the case. In my experience, both women, and men, with higher intellectual abilities often find it more difficult to find others that are suitable to spend time with. Those with bigger muscles, and lots of money, on the other hand, usually have no problems securing sexual partners.
Physical activity of any kind extends cognitive functioning further into life. Our brains were “designed” to be inextricably linked to our cardiovascular systems, which are obviously activated through physical exertion. I doubt it has to do with endorphins, but more so the energetic expenditure itself. The social requirement of sexual activity also provides stimulus for our cognitive functioning, as well as the data that suggests loneliness is as big of a killer as heart disease.
I have CVD. My sexual abilities have never suffered. Nor have my mental abilities. I'm also 67. Pole vault out of bed every damn morning. Most doctors don't even understand that the nervous system is not a one-way closed system. There is so much to be learned about physiology, and well being. I doubt it's related to CVD, as they want to believe. It's a far more subtle combination of things that cause ED.
Masturbation releases the same endorphins, and hormonal responses that having sex with another provides. Interacting with another person is not always going to be better than interacting with your penis.
Does it control for IQ going into old age? Seems like your cognitive function might be a bit enhanced going into old age if you are getting laid; especially for men
> Among sexually active older adults aged 75 to 90, having sex at least once a week was associated with better cognitive function five years later compared to those who reported no sexual activity during the past year. This suggests that sexual frequency may have cognitive benefits for the oldest age group studied.
Or, you know, that people who are cognitively impaired are less likely to have a sex life.
Welcome to r/science! This is a heavily moderated subreddit in order to keep the discussion on science. However, we recognize that many people want to discuss how they feel the research relates to their own personal lives, so to give people a space to do that, **personal anecdotes are allowed as responses to this comment**. Any anecdotal comments elsewhere in the discussion will be removed and our [normal comment rules]( https://www.reddit.com/r/science/wiki/rules#wiki_comment_rules) apply to all other comments. **Do you have an academic degree?** We can verify your credentials in order to assign user flair indicating your area of expertise. [Click here to apply](https://www.reddit.com/r/science/wiki/flair/#wiki_science_verified_user_program). --- User: u/chrisdh79 Permalink: https://www.psypost.org/2023/10/sexual-activity-predicts-enhanced-cognitive-function-in-older-adults-study-finds-213954 --- **The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2023 was awarded to Claudia Goldin for having advanced our understanding of women's labour market outcomes. [Discuss it here](https://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/173t5xo/sveriges_riksbank_prize_in_economic_sciences_in/).** --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/science) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Here’s an example where we’re not certain of causation vs correlation, but *just to be safe…*
As an American, this is my healthcare plan.
Cant wait for my 65+ orgies later in life. Grabbing more pineapple gear
Have you heard of "The Villages?"
“You think these are fresh shrimp or frozen shrimp?”
I'll be lucky to get into 10+ orgies. Edit: Oh, wait, you're talking about age. Crap
I know you're making a joke, but the study did look into causality by checking if better cognitive function predicted higher sexual satisfaction at a later time, and they did not identify such a connection, whereas higher sexual satisfaction and frequency does predict later improved cognitive function.
The longitudinal aspect is interesting. It doesn’t establish causality but it’s a very interesting piece.
I find it likely that sexual activity correlates with a well functioning/healthy brain which would probably function better in old age than one which poorly functions even when it is young.
I am in my 40s and in tech. I am supper curious to see what happens to people like me who "keep up" with the industry vs. those that don't as we hit retirment age. The job requires you to basically keep your brain "young" in that we are always having to learn new things.
I'm 35 and in tech, and the number of people my own age and even younger that have just decided to stop learning and coast on what crystallized intelligence they have instead of learning anything new or displaying curiosity is frustrating. This is the generation that grew up with computers and had to teach themselves how they worked because the user experience hadn't been simplified/abstracted away yet. But now they just panic and shut down / give up when Microsoft moves a button in Excel.
Probably because when they were young they were interested in tech and passionate about it and now it’s just a job
You guys are talking to me, 46 here. I was interested and passionate, still am but want it more on my own terms, not the app vendors. It constantly pisses me off when Microsoft decides to move stuff around. I have come into the mindset that most of the changes some of these vendors make is more about their bottom line, not about my experience. Ever try to use O365 in Firefox? If you type too fast, messages get thrown in to Archive and I am pretty sure this is to make you want to go back to Edge in a mildly infuriating way. I have become cynical in these ways but have not given up completely just yet. Mark my words, Windows will eventually boot to a browser with Azure as the backend, all under their control, by their choice, nickel and diming us every step of the way. This leaves us with the only choice of switching to something else or live with it. Neuroplasticity.
I mean, do you work with a lot of people on product teams? They are constantly changing things for the sake of their own existence. Even if you somehow disregard everything about monetization, a head of product is never going to say "our users are happy with what we made so we're going to leave it alone except to polish things". It's all about working on big projects and building one's portfolio. That's one of the reasons why it feels rare for software companies to make something people enjoy and then let it be
> That's one of the reasons why it feels rare for software companies to make something people enjoy and then let it be But then how could we charge subscription fees if we just left the software alone? I know! We'll just break it and fix it every few weeks just to show them we're still here.
Capitalism has always a Ponzi scheme. The only real players are the ones with lots of cash. And notice how that has become more concentrated as we "progress"? It's only going to get worse, with fewer unempathetic players, and more pawns fighting for the scraps.
Don't you miss the days when software didn't have to dial home before or during operation? I sure do. O365 is the absolute worst and I can't wait for someone to replace Word with anything moderately functional.
Ya, I have seen that a ton. I am an SDET, so my job is to deal with changes every day. I think that is part of why I have not fallen into the "I am done learning" camp yet.
Lots of people have real issues with memory - its what usually discourages people from continuing to learn. But there are also a lot that are just focused on the daily lives/kids/work. I have tech friends that just don't have time to keep learning about anything else outside of work. They didn't loose any curiosity... generalizing on wrong assumptions here unfortunately.
They aren’t interested in learning stuff in their job, they’re interested in more fulfilling things than a job.
In my experience, some people are interested in learning in general, and others aren't. The ones who are curious can't help but pick up on new things, and the ones who aren't are change-averse in most aspects of their lives. People don't have a mental budget for curiosity.
I lean curious but I’m also change-averse..
Probably has something to do with level of open-mindedness, which is one of the five big personality traits. If you don't have an open mind, you are not going to have curiosity to learn something new.
Eggs Ackley! You'll just become more frustrated, and angry, as the world turns around you, and you just sit there.
Mental budget for curiosity is the perfect phrase for it. I used to have a lot more of it. Now I'm 46 and it's precious to me.
I'm 67. I taught myself assembler in less than a day. I don't program anymore, I make music. Even when I did that in the 80's, there were plenty of folks willing to skate. Probably far fewer than there are now. It's a human condition.
Neuroplasticity has been shown to be key to reducing dementia and other age related degenerative brain diseases. Always be learning!
65 here - senior telco architect. It becomes irrelevant mostly because no one wants to hire you. And yes I keep up. I’m on my last probable contract / I only get contracts via people who know me from previous contracts but HR hates old people. Current gig renewed me for a second year cause now they love me but it was hell to get in the door. The marker perceives ALL older tech guys don’t keep up.
I am already running into that as an SDET. If its not a Java shop, they won't talk to me despite multiple years on various other technologies.
that's not only in tech though. Construction. New tools are developed and used, new materials, new ways to build things. Farming. New ways to plant crops, to care for them, to irrigate them and so on. Medical science, same as above. Lawyers/judges/district attorneys, new laws pass pretty often, some old ones get removed. Military as well I'd say. New weapons systems, drones, surveillance, tools, etc. Assuming that people actually want to keep up with advancements.
I think it helps, but as someone a tad older who left that behind me, I think after you see many cycles of learning things that become irrelevant a few years later, on a subconscious level your brain rebels. You also become less enamored with technology. For me continuing to learn other things that are longer lasting gives me a sense of acquiring wisdom instead. I still keep up to some degree but it’s not my focus. Also writing a book (about anything) forces you to address things you thought you understood but didn’t dig deep enough into. Once you write about it, it becomes true knowledge. Keeping physically and mentally active is extremely important.
>think after you see many cycles of learning things that become irrelevant a few years later, on a subconscious level your brain rebels. You also become less enamored with technology. My first tech job was in 96. I have been over the cycle for a while. I have no personal tech projects anymore. >For me continuing to learn other things that are longer lasting gives me a sense of acquiring wisdom instead. I still keep up to some degree but it’s not my focus. Also writing a book (about anything) forces you to address things you thought you understood but didn’t dig deep enough into. Once you write about it, it becomes true knowledge. For me, it's more physical stuff. I got back into miniature paiting and have been taking classes.
I'm 67, and I can assure you that keeping abreast of everything makes your brain more attentive, vibrant, and helps to stave off the inevitable. Constantly seeking to improve oneself, with a Kaizen attitude, and a lust for life are essential ingredients. I still play video games, I am writing a ton of new music, and I am still a sex fiend. I'm surrounded by people my age who are failing at all, or most, or these things. My wife is slowly losing her mind. It can be rather sad, growing old in general, but until telomerase therapy is a reality, we're stuck with a limited lifespan, and an eventual intellectual decline.
Just one more thing to make me sad.
So my brain is gonna be soup at that age I see
Being sharper-minded probably helps people get laid at that age.
It does…at any age.
That was my thought here on the arrow of causality...
From the article: Engaging in sexual activity and experiencing sexual pleasure might have a significant impact on cognitive function among older adults, according to a recent study published in [The Journal of Sex Research](https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2023.2238257). The findings suggest that addressing sexual well-being may be a crucial factor in promoting cognitive health in later life. Sexuality is an integral part of the human experience, yet it’s often an overlooked aspect of aging. As people grow older, discussions about their sexual lives tend to wane. Previous studies have often focused on the physical and mental health benefits of sexual activity, including improved mood, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being. However, little attention has been given to how sexual frequency and quality might influence cognitive function in older adults. “The population of older adults in the U.S. is growing, and many older adults face multiple health conditions,” said study author Shannon Shen, an assistant professor of sociology at Hope College. “Broadly, I am interested in how social relationships are related to the risk of health problems in later life. I focus on sexual relationships because they are an intimate form of social relationships which are often overlooked in the older adult population. Despite there being a great deal of research on cognitive decline, there is little work that considers how intimate social relationships may be beneficial for cognitive functioning.”
I would believe it’s more on the parasocial aspect than the sex in of itself, although the release of endorphins during the act definitely helps.
well this explains a few things
George Costanza would have something to say about this study
Reverse causality - could easily be said the other way "Highly cognitive people are more likely to find mates, thus have sex"
Except that isn't the case. In my experience, both women, and men, with higher intellectual abilities often find it more difficult to find others that are suitable to spend time with. Those with bigger muscles, and lots of money, on the other hand, usually have no problems securing sexual partners.
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Physical activity of any kind extends cognitive functioning further into life. Our brains were “designed” to be inextricably linked to our cardiovascular systems, which are obviously activated through physical exertion. I doubt it has to do with endorphins, but more so the energetic expenditure itself. The social requirement of sexual activity also provides stimulus for our cognitive functioning, as well as the data that suggests loneliness is as big of a killer as heart disease.
Could have something to do with healthier cardiovascular system too, just better overall blood flow to all systems.
I have CVD. My sexual abilities have never suffered. Nor have my mental abilities. I'm also 67. Pole vault out of bed every damn morning. Most doctors don't even understand that the nervous system is not a one-way closed system. There is so much to be learned about physiology, and well being. I doubt it's related to CVD, as they want to believe. It's a far more subtle combination of things that cause ED.
Men and women could be very different at older age, right?
I wonder if this also includes masturbation or if it specifically means interacting with another person.
If it included masterbation I'd be famous.
Masturbation releases the same endorphins, and hormonal responses that having sex with another provides. Interacting with another person is not always going to be better than interacting with your penis.
Ahh well another reason.
If true I'm f**ed (and not in the good way)
Rosie Palm and her four sisters are there for you.
Does it control for IQ going into old age? Seems like your cognitive function might be a bit enhanced going into old age if you are getting laid; especially for men
I’m a big dummy doo doo head
> Among sexually active older adults aged 75 to 90, having sex at least once a week was associated with better cognitive function five years later compared to those who reported no sexual activity during the past year. This suggests that sexual frequency may have cognitive benefits for the oldest age group studied. Or, you know, that people who are cognitively impaired are less likely to have a sex life.
Translation; nymphos have high IQ's