Sometimes, people on the internet set themselves somewhat peculiar challenges. For example, recently a user of Reddit announced his intention to spend as many days as possible sexual abstinence and check the effects. Come on, you wanted to see if you do without the masturbation could have benefits for him. And he supposedly had them.
Three months after starting his challenge, he explained that felt more energetic, both to face the day and to train in the gym. He was also experiencing less brain fogit was easier for him social relationships and it wasn’t so obsessed with sex.
He himself acknowledges that it could be a placebo, but insists that the effects are very clear. And yes, he is correct that it is possibly a placebo. In fact, it is most likely; since, as long as it is done within mentally healthy limits, masturbation brings nothing but benefits. As for those healthy boundaries, there is no number. Simply, they are those in which the need to masturbate does not interfere with the development of a person’s normal life. If someone wants to do it daily, several times a day, and that doesn’t stop them from doing other things, that’s fine.
Myths about sexual abstinence
Most preconceived ideas about dangers of masturbation and, therefore, the benefits of sexual abstinencehave a cultural or religious origin. Beyond what used to be said about blindness and other implausible beliefs, it has come to be believed more firmly that masturbation could drain energy or lead to a certain obsession with sex.
But to this day this is not proven in any way. It is true that in 2003 a study was carried out in which it was pointed out that a excessive masturbation could reduce testosterone levels in the blood. However, it was a methodologically very poor study, with a very small number of participants. In addition, its own authors ended up retracting the results obtained.
Over time, other studies have the opposite effect has been reported. The more masturbation, the more testosterone. But others have found no difference.
It is, therefore, something that is not clear. There doesn’t seem to be a reason to recommend the sexual abstinence. But there are many reasons to avoid it.
The benefits of masturbation
Orgasm is not always the end of masturbation, but it is the most common. At that peak moment, a huge cocktail of substances such as dopamine, oxytocin, prolactin, serotonin, adrenaline or endorphins and endocannabinoids. All this usually means mood improvements and promote the relaxation later. In fact, together with basic sleep hygiene measures, it can be a perfect solution against insomnia. But that is not all.
In 2013, a study was published indicating that masturbation can help improve the symptoms of migraines. In fact, precisely because of the endocannabinoid releaseseems to help reduce other types of pain associated with inflammatory processes.
It has even been seen that sexual activity can improve cognitive abilities in older people, reduce blood pressure and strengthen the immune system.
Does it have any negative effect?
Beyond possible physical accidents that could occur during sex, nor masturbation and some rare medical caseneither sex in a couple or in a group suppose the damages that they have wanted us to believe in the past.
Yes, there have been athletes who have claimed to resort to sexual abstinence before an important competition. This is because, like the Reddit user, they felt accompanying masturbation or sex diminished their physical performance. However, other athletes, such as the legendary Pelé, had the totally opposite custom.
This indicates that It’s more of a psychological issue. that really physical. Those who believe it affects their performance may feel better without sex. But simply because your brain thinks so. On the contrary, Pelé and other athleteswho prefer a joy before competing, perform better in sports practice, in addition to their physical qualities, because they believe they have done something to improve.
Therefore, as long as it does not pose a problem on a day-to-day basis or that it does not lead to physical injuries, no, masturbation is not a problem. And, consequently, sexual abstinence does not bring benefits. This Reddit user already anticipated that what he felt could be the result of the placebo and it is most likely. The brain is very powerful and does with us what he wants. Even make us think that sex is a bad thing. But what an atrocity!