8 Surprisingly Impactful Benefits of Not Masturbating

Quitting masturbation can lead to significant improvements in mental clarity, energy levels, and overall well-being. By breaking the habit, you can experience increased happiness, reduced anxiety, and stronger relationships. These benefits, among others, make the effort to stop masturbating truly worthwhile.

It can be hard to find high quality information on the internet about whether or not masturbation is good for you. Is masturbation healthy? What happens if I stop masturbating? What are the benefits of masturbating? Are there any positive effects of stopping? These questions, and many more, have been cropping up more and more over the past two years.

The fact of the matter is simply this: masturbation is a fairly normal part of the sexual maturing process, but it can become highly habit-forming in adults, which often brings along many negative consequences. So, if you’re trying to quit or reduce your masturbation habits, it can be incredibly challenging.

Is it worth it? The answer is yes! In this article, we’ll help you understand some of the positive benefits that you’ll enjoy as you put in the work to stop masturbating.

Is Masturbation Bad for You?

From a physiological standpoint, the simple answer is it depends on how often it happens. Modern science suggests that occasional masturbation is a fairly normal part of the sexual growing-up process. However, if masturbation has become a frequent part of your daily routine, it can cause some negative side effects that are worth seriously considering. In occasional cases, masturbation can even become compulsive — meaning, you do it even though you want to stop — like in cases of chronic masturbation.

If you’ve been experiencing any of these negative side effects, it may be a sign that masturbation has become a problematic habit for you, and it’s time to change.

• Guilt and shame: Many people feel extreme guilt about masturbating because of spiritual, religious, or cultural beliefs. When you repeatedly engage in behavior that goes against your beliefs or values, it can take a serious psychological toll.
• Dependency: Since masturbation causes an intense spike in dopamine, the brain becomes trained to chase that pleasurable feeling, creating an addiction-like dependence on the behavior of masturbation.
• Decrease in sexual sensitivity: Masturbating too much might make it more difficult for you to reach orgasm over time, especially orgasm with a significant other. This has to do with masturbation’s effect on the arousal template in the brain.
• Edema: In extreme cases, some males can develop swelling from masturbating too much or for long periods.
• Change in sexual pleasure perception: The brain is a powerful thing, and our most important sex organ. The most common sexual experiences a person has will leave an imprint on their brain, and it takes intentional, hard work to change that. In some cases, masturbation can become the only way for individuals who do it frequently to experience orgasm. And this just isn’t how we were designed to function.

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What Makes Masturbation Feel So Addictive?

When it comes to masturbation, it’s biological. It’s obvious that human beings crave sex, but, more importantly, we also crave connection. We all need to feel seen and loved. Unfortunately, masturbation has a tendency to drive us away from human connection and towards isolation. This, combined with the effect of masturbating on our brain’s stress chemicals, makes for a dangerously habit-forming activity.

Because porn and masturbation often go together, this point is worth slowing down on and really understanding. If your masturbation has become linked with pornography use, it’s critical to consider the combined effect these behaviors are having on your life. Pornography is designed to be addictive, and it leaves the viewer always wanting more. In fact, most people who regularly watch porn will usually find that the desire for it increases over time, and so does the frequency and extreme nature of what they’re watching.

What Are Some Benefits of Not Masturbating?

Quitting masturbation may seem intimidating, but it can lead to a host of positive side effects that improve both your physical and mental well-being. Here are eight surprising benefits you might experience:

1. Increased Happiness

Many people report feeling happier after quitting masturbation. This increase in happiness is often linked to a reduction in guilt and shame, which leads to a greater sense of harmony with your true self.

2. Reduced Anxiety

It is common for people to masturbate to escape from stress and anxiety. Ironically, the behavior often ends up increasing anxiety, as the large spike in dopamine the brain experiences during masturbation is short-lived and tends to fade away quickly. Abstaining from masturbation can help you better regulate the effects of dopamine in your brain.

3. Improved Relationships

The desire to improve relationships is the number one reason users of Relay's recovery program reported wanting to quit masturbation and porn. Engaging in behavior that puts distance between you and your romantic partner, friends, and family members creates stress and isolation, which creates a vicious cycle that leads you to masturbate more.

Quitting masturbation can mend your relationships by allowing you to invest more time and energy into true connection with your partner, friends, and family. This is especially true for sexual relationships, where saving sexual expression for your partner can deepen intimacy.

4. More Energy

Quitting masturbation can boost your energy levels. The time and mental energy previously spent on masturbation can be redirected towards more fulfilling activities, increasing your overall vitality.

5. Discipline and Willpower

If you’ve never heard of the NoFap Movement, it’s worth looking into. Proponents of this movement claim that stopping masturbating has helped them become better versions of themselves. For many, abstaining from this kind of self stimulation is seen as a test of willpower and a way of learning discipline. Whether this is core to your motivation or not, it’s beneficial because when self-discipline increases in one area, it bleeds over into all the other areas of your life.

6. Increased Self-Esteem and Confidence

This is one of the most surprising benefits of not masturbating: healthier self-image! One of the negative side effects of regular masturbation is decreased confidence. “Nobody really wants me, so I guess I’ll just turn to this to make me feel better,” says the voice in our head. In many cases, individuals begin to forgo opportunities for real sex and interpersonal connection because masturbation is safer and easier. As masturbation decreases, most individuals find themselves seeing the benefits of greater intimacy and genuine connection more frequently. This is one of the fastest ways to boost self-esteem and personal confidence.

7. Overall Improved Mental Health

Although this sounds like a pretty general overall benefit, improved mental health is one of the most consistent trends among those who stop masturbating. No longer having to consistently deal with the guilt, shame, secrecy, and isolation that comes with masturbation is like a breath of fresh air for the brain. This can lower levels of anxiety, depression, and even the severity of other stress.

8. Stronger Spiritual Well-Being

For many, quitting masturbation is not just about physical or mental health—it’s also a step toward spiritual growth. Removing this behavior can help you reconnect with your values and find greater peace.

How to Stop Masturbating

If you’re ready to quit masturbation, Relay offers the best program to help you succeed. Combining behavioral psychology, private accountability, and supportive community, Relay provides a safe environment to overcome your habits.

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While Relay offers an in-depth program filled with the very best resources out there, here are some immediate tips to help you get started:

• Go Outside: A simple walk can help clear your mind and reduce the urge to masturbate.
• Try a New Hobby: Engage in purposeful activities that keep your mind and body focused.
• Find a Good Program: Consider seeking help from therapists, groups, or recovery programs.
• Spend Time with Loved Ones: Surrounding yourself with caring people can lift your spirits and reduce the urge to turn to masturbation.
• Take a Break from Screens: Reducing scrolling and screen time can minimize triggers and make it easier for your brain to stay mindful.
• Focus on Service: Turning outwards and helping others can provide a sense of fulfillment and purpose greater than yourself.
• Remind Yourself of the Benefits: Keep the positive effects of quitting masturbation at the forefront of your mind; a strong why is the most important thing you can do to help you succeed.

Conclusion

While masturbation may not be inherently harmful, compulsive masturbation can have significant negative effects. By quitting, you can experience a range of benefits, from increased energy and improved relationships to better mental health and spiritual well-being.

If you’re struggling to stop, consider reaching out for help. You don’t have to do it alone.

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Sources:

Are there any benefits to taking a break from masturbating? | Healthy Male

Abstinence from Masturbation and Hypersexuality | PMC

Masturbation Addiction Treatment: Addiction Signs, Causes, And Withdrawal Symptoms | Lybrate

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