October 9, 2024

Does masturbation cause blindness? It’s the same word whispered behind closed doors or scribbled on online forums from ancient times until today. Thus, in this blog post, we will look into this long-standing concern and give a clear, scientifically-based answer: can masturbation cause blindness? With the increase in sexual health education, myths have to be broken and good information supplied. Masturbation has been a subject that people, particularly youths, have been concerned and intrigued about; it’s one area many have questions about and are extremely worried or anxious about. Through discussion and investigation in this particular area, we seek to calm down such worried souls and encourage people to have a more healthy knowledge of human sexuality and its implications on the body. This mythology persisted, not only for want of better answers to the question of sexual education but as an example of the importance of comprehensive and honest discussions regarding taboo subjects. Does Masturbation Cause Blindness? This belief derives from some incorrect myths from various cultures and religions that forbid masturbation. In the 18th and 19th centuries, these myths were even supplemented by some physicians, who stated that if one lost his sperm, he could become blind, along with other health issues. Science has proven these statements as entirely false in today’s world. Research shows that up to 2% of total testosterone (TT) in humans is present in its physiologically active form, known as free testosterone (FT), with the other 98% attached to transport proteins such as albumin and the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).  Why do these myths persevere? One reason that explains the persistence of this myth might be the temporary physiological changes during sexual arousal and orgasm. For a few individuals, vision might become blurry or the eyes light-sensitive right after orgasm. These, however, are merely temporary and do not cause permanent damage to one’s eyesight. It should be noted that masturbation is an integral part of any human sexual relationship. The World Health Organization considers sexual health, which incorporates masturbation, as one of the crucial elements of well-being. Contrary to its old version, masturbation can have several other positive effects on the human body and spirit, such as relieving tension, helping sleep better, and being more acutely sensitive to the body. The Historical Context of the Myth But the idea that masturbation causes blindness goes back a long time; it was in the early years of the 18th century that Swiss physician Samuel-Auguste Tissot published a treatise asserting that “semen loss” through masturbation could cause an astonishingly wide range of ailments, including blindness. This work, without any foundation in scientific fact, had such a significant impact on attitudes toward masturbation that it remained relevant for centuries. The study involved 11 healthy young men, aged 27.1 years and 181.7 cm, recruited from the German Sport University Cologne. All participants were considered highly advanced strength athletes without any physical, psychological, or sexual dysfunction. They had at least three years of training experience, performed above 100% of body weight in back squats and bench presses, and trained more than four times per week. The local ethics committee approved the study, and participants were informed of the design. Anti-masturbation views were the most potent at this time. Many believed during the Victorian period that mental illness, as well as physical debilitation, ensued, and moral decay resulted, all due to masturbation. This was when various devices and treatments began to be invented to prevent masturbation, especially in youths. The persistence of the blindness myth into contemporary times speaks eloquently about the deep inculcation of history’s attitudes within societal consciousness. Even as understanding continues to advance on the scientific side, old myths just begin to circulate again, often causing unnecessary anxiety and shame. The Science Behind Sexual Arousal and Vision It is beneficial when one tries to demolish the claim that masturbation and blindness are somehow related to clarifying what goes on in our body concerning physiological change while becoming sexually aroused or in orgasm. A vital part of a healthy sexual growth is masturbation. It’s a standard, organic method of discovering your body, experiencing pleasure, and reaching the orgasm (sex release) threshold. The body experiences several physiological changes in sexual activity, such as masturbation: Increase in heart rate and pressure Uptake in breathing rate Different hormones released, such as oxytocin and endorphins Tension of muscles and release None of these affect the eyes or optic nerves in a harmful way. The conditions that temporarily impair vision, such as that suffered by some people either during or immediately after orgasm, are typically caused by: Blood flow: Increased blood flow across the body, including the head and eyes, occurs with arousal and orgasm. This can temporarily alter perception but does not harm the eyes. Hormone release: Sexual intercourse causes the release of a few hormones into the body, temporarily affecting many of its systems, including vision. Dilation of pupils: Sexual excitement causes pupil dilation, which temporally degrades the eye’s ability to process light. All these changes are temporary and would not harm eyes or vision over the long term. Can You Go Blind From Ejaculating Too Much? Another version of the same myth is, “can masturbation cause blindness” If you jerk off too much.” Well, the truth is a resounding no. Sexual orgasms made during masturbation or other forms of sexual activity have absolutely nothing to do with the loss of or preservation of one’s sight or eye health. The human body is designed to generate and supply sperm incessantly. Although the number of ejaculations may be frequent, they do not drain the body of vital nutrients or stress the eyes or the optic nerve. The physiology of ejaculation cuts completely across that of vision and eye health. It should be mentioned that although over-masturbation can not lead to blindness, it might have other effects if it intrudes upon daily life or relationships. These would be psychological or social and certainly not physical, let alone linked with sight. The Concept of