Behind Closed Doors: How to Have More Wet Dreams

Ah, wet dreams. For men, they're synonymous with adolescence, the pinnacle of that strange time when they've never actually touched a girl but can't think of anything but their hot teacher. For women, they're a strange, sought after pinnacle of sexual mastery, indicating that their brains are veritable BAMFs.

Whether you hate to love 'em, love to hate 'em, or just want more of 'em, one thing is certain: Orgasms are good for you, and it's (almost) never a bad time to have one. For the adventurous souls who want to max out their odds of having another, this guide is for you.

Sleep cumming over sleep walking

Let's face it: In terms of things you can do in your sleep, having an orgasm is easily better than sleep walking. And sleep talking. And snoring. And despite how strange it may seem conceptually (no one is touching you, after all), it's actually pretty common—in both men and women. A study in the Journal of Sex Research actually reports that 37 percent of women have gotten their rocks off mid-snooze, which is significantly higher than the 25 percent who can come from penetration alone. Just think about for a second. 

SO. How does this strange phenomenon happen? I'll break it down. Eh hem: 

1. The impulses from REM sleep send more blood to the genitals.
2. All this extra blood in your junk makes you feel aroused as hell.
3. Eventually, it peaks and releases.
4. ORGASM. BOOM. (Sometimes you wake up at this point, and sometimes you don't.)

Some people have an even easier time coming in their sleep than they do in their actual sex lives because they're less stressed/nervous/guilty/you name it. Sometimes it's because whatever sexy dream is playing in their heads is one of their all-time favorite sexual fantasies. Sometimes it's just 'cause. Wet dreams are obviously difficult to study, because no one can predict when one is going to happen. That's OK, though—they've collected plenty of data anyway. 

Here's the interesting part: Men predominately have wet dreams when they're younger, and they diminish significantly after they become sexually active, usually disappearing altogether by their early 30s. Women, on the other hand, don't get many when they're young. Instead, they experience them increasingly more throughout their lives as they approach their mid 50s, when their sexual experience and self confidence has risen considerably. We're moving in opposite directions. Go figure!

You don't need a sleep number for this

Wet dreams may be hard to track and induce, but there are a few ways you can set yourself up for success. People have anecdotally claimed that having a sleepgasm is easier when their in the midst of a sexual drought, but fear not! You don't have to tone down your sex life if you want one of these, because we've yet to find the empirical research to back that up. 

Rule No. 1: Get some good-ass sleep

What will affect you chances is how deeply you're sleeping. The more exhausted you are before you hit the sack, the better you sleep, and the less affected your sleep cycle is. Your brain is more active during REM sleep and your heart rate will increase, much like it does during sex or masturbation. Basically: The longer you're sound asleep, the longer your REM cycles will last and the more opportunity you'll have to come with zero work on your part or anyone else's. 

Rule No. 2: Sleep on your stomach

Several existing studies report that you're more likely to get turned on in the middle of the night when you're sleeping on your stomach. This is partially because the bed is in contact with your genitals and partially because you get a little less air. You're also more likely to dream about intense things like being tied up, which may or may not be sexual. Only one way to find out!

Rule No. 3: Get your fantasizing on

You can't force yourself to have a sex dream, but you can increase the odds by thinking of something sexy while you're trying to fall asleep, like your ultimate fantasy. Pro tip: This is also way better than counting sheep for those with insomnia. I would know. 

Rule No. 4: Play your sexiest music

We all know that sounds can infiltrate our dreams, so putting on a sexy playlist—especially one that you usually have actual sex to—is a great way to signal your brain while you slumber. 

The most interesting part of all this? Occasionally people masturbate in their sleep (something more along the lines of sexsomnia), but wet dreams generally occur with absolutely no genital contact—the phenomenon is produced entirely by the brain. This speaks volumes about the human orgasm and how much of it is really contingent on physical touch, especially for women. Herein lies a frequently overlooked (and very important) part of sex: Talking about your fantasies and making them happen.