Is Masturbation Bad For You?
Also Known As: jacking off, fapping, self pleasure
Short answer
Masturbation is healthy, normal, and generally good for you.
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
You won't grow hair on your hands if you masturbate too much. Nor will you go blind, impotent, or to hell, based on the research we have so far.
Masturbation is, for the most part, a normal and healthy habit. It's a common practice with both women and men to relieve sexual tension and achieve release. Many people feel shame when they masturbate - Planned Parenthood says about one in two do. Feeling ashamed is normal, too, although you should understand that there's nothing shameful about masturbation.
Masturbating on a regular basis will generally leave you happier and more relaxed. It'll trigger the release of reward chemicals in your brain, which should leave you feeling good. Masturbation can help you sleep. It can also help you to relax. You can learn more about your body and your sexuality through masturbation. You can also ensure that everything down there is working properly - providing blood flow to your sexual organs and ensuring that nothing down there is blocked off.
There are a few risks associated with masturbating too much. Too tight of a grip or too little lubrication can cause friction that might leave your genitals irritated or potentially break the skin. Masturbating too much with a particular technique, or to particular genres of pornography, can potentially make it more difficult to achieve arousal or orgasm with a partner - they might not be able to do for you what you've been doing for yourself.
Compulsive masturbation is a tricky topic. The DSM 5 - the bible and official manual of mental health professionals - does not recognize sex addiction as a mental health disorder. Compulsive behaviors, however, are recognized; do anything too much, including masturbation, and you'll start to change the architecture of your brain.
How, then, do you recognize if masturbation has become a harmful compulsive behavior in your life? The rule of thumb is whether or not it's interfering with your relationships, your work, your other responsibilities, or your mental health. If you think this is the case, you should speak to a qualified mental health professional about strategies to get that behavior under control.
Potential concerns:
- Excessive masturbation can cause friction or irritation without proper lubrication
- Masturbation habits may have an effect on your sex life
- Compulsive masturbation can disrupt your work, personal relationships, or other areas
Benefits
- relieve tension
-
relieve stress
-
relieve headache
-
fight certain medical conditions
-
calms nerves
-
feels good
-
no chance of an std
-
a sign of good health
Please turn your Ad Blocker off to see this content. Thank you!
Approved by 
