It's official, orgasms are healthier than crosswords - ABC Online

For years now we've been told we can stave off senility by keeping our minds active with tricky tasks such as Sudoku or crosswords.

But now neuroscientists from Rutgers University in the US say such mental exercises increase brain activity only in localised areas.

Orgasms, on the other hand, activate the whole brain, with a tremendous increase in blood flow bringing nutrients and oxygen.

1233 ABC Newcastle's Maynard delved into this intriguing topic with sexuality researcher Cathy O'Mullan, and it was great timing considering today is International Female Orgasm Day! (listen to attached audio)

"What we do know about orgasms is orgasms do in fact increase blood flow to the brain," Cathy says.

"What's happening is it's bringing nutrients and oxygen to the brain to keep it healthy.

"In this study that was done in the US that's just been released, what it's really saying is that orgasms stimulate a number of different areas throughout the brain, over 30 different areas.

"Basically, they're saying it provides more stimulation to the brain than by doing a crossword or doing some mental exercises, because apparently they only activate part of the brain."

Cathy says orgasms also increase levels of oxytocin in the blood, which releases endorphins that can help prevent pain.

Apparently orgasms are a very intense area of research in the field of sexuality.

Cathy explains that the big question is why women have orgasms at all when, unlike the male orgasm, they serve no reproductive purpose.

And she says previous sexuality research, which classes women who are unable to have orgasms as dysfunctional, only serves to "mythologise" the female orgasm.

However the search for what she terms "the pink viagra" is well and truly underway, with medical companies ploughing millions into research.