Researchers in 2010 found that acute sexual experience increased circulating corticosterone levels and the number of new neurons in the hippocampus. Chronic sexual experience no longer produced an increase in corticosterone levels but continued to promote adult neurogenesis and stimulate the growth of dendritic spines and dendritic architecture.⁠ ⁠Chronic sexual experience also reduced anxiety-like behavior. These findings suggested that a rewarding experience not only buffers against the deleterious actions of early elevated glucocorticoids but also promotes neuronal growth and reduces anxiety.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #neurogenesis #neurons #hippocampus #couple #inlove #lovelycouple #fallinginlove #love #brain #science #biology