November 22, 2024

Masturbation is a reasonably common, natural activity practiced by many for various reasons, and though it is hardly the only reason people masturbate, perhaps the most obvious of these purposes is to relieve tension or pleasure. Although the behavior is pretty common, the psychological effects of masturbation remain shrouded in much misunderstanding and illusion.  Could masturbation and anxiety be connected? While the two are often talked about in isolation, there may be a link between the two behaviors. Many wonder if masturbation could increase their levels of anxiety or even provide some form of stress relief. What is happening in that complex relationship between those two activities?   It’s time to delve into the possible associations between masturbation and anxiety, hence the psychological and physical considerations that may influence such an association. So, what does science have to say? Does Masturbation Cause Anxiety? To simply answer that, does masturbation cause anxiety is no; it is not, in itself, directly a cause of anxiety. Indeed, to most people, masturbation is part of life, which has no adverse effects on their mental health. However, this relationship between anxiety and masturbation is more complicated, particularly if it is viewed through personal beliefs, cultural factors, and mental health conditions. A study in the Archives of Sexual Behavior revealed that about 46% of men and 36% of women reported guilt feelings after masturbation experiences that may heighten anxiety, especially among individuals with prior mental disorder conditions or those who feel unsure about their behaviors.​ In others, hyper-masturbation is symptomatic of anxiety or stress; in this case, masturbation becomes a way out of bad moods. Therefore, good sexual behavior has to be differentiated from patterns that could indicate emotional distress. The coping mechanism of excessive or compulsive masturbation can have the potential even to intensify anxiety, as this behavior leads to an escalation and reversal of temporary relief followed by feelings of shame or frustration, which might further trigger anxiety. These can influence mental health and well-being if the feelings are sustained long enough. What Are the Benefits of Masturbation? Approximately 5% of adults may have compulsive sexual behaviors, which include excessive masturbation. These compulsions are associated with increased degrees of anxiety and depression, as well as impaired functioning in daily life. Some key benefits include the following: Stress Relief: Probably the greatest benefit masturbation offers is a reprieve from tension. Indeed, the orgasmic response will even create the release of chemicals such as dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins, which incidentally happen to be implicated in feelings of relaxation and contentment. This can be an immediate relief from stress or anxiety. Good Sleep: Masturbation has been seen to help some people sleep better. The sleep-inducing effect of orgasm that is brought about may be helpful in those who are anxious and cannot sleep. Improved Mood: For most individuals, masturbation improves mood and reduces irritation or tension. This can be useful for people who feel anxious and overwhelmed. Self-Discovery: Masturbation allows an individual to learn their bodies what they enjoy and don’t, therefore increasing body confidence as well as getting them on the right pathway towards a healthy relationship with their sexuality. Thus, now it may seem that masturbation and anxiety are two opposing forces. Still, in moderation, masturbation indeed can be used as an instrument of self-care further in the management of anxiety. What Are the Side Effects of Masturbation? It is considered a very regular activity that many people engage in. Like anything else, it has side effects if carried out excessively or under certain emotional conditions. It may cause a bit of soreness or irritation in some physical aspects while causing feelings of guilt, shame, or anxiety afterward in the emotional sphere. Anxiety and masturbation thus further articulate side effects of each other. Guilt or Shame: Cultural or religious beliefs that will make the individual feel ashamed or guilty of masturbation. The bad feeling may exaggerate the anxiety and masturbation by that individual in his attempt to reconcile the behavior and his beliefs. Physical Discomfort: Masturbation for a long time creates soreness or redness. This provides a cycle to be faced by the person because of shame or nervousness over the physical condition. Mental Health: In this case, it is usually diagnosed as a sign of severe mental illness, such as depression or anxiety. Masturbation, in this sense, then acts as a rhetorical statement to hide nerve-wracking sentiments; it may even serve as a temporary release from stress but ensures future anxiety. Effects on Relationships: When masturbation impacts the ability to have a proper healthy sexual relationship or causes problems with intimacy and a partner, then it will most likely lead to anxiety or stress. It is good to masturbate in moderation. When it becomes a complete or problematic behavior, then issues such as anxiety or problems in a relationship can be solved. Does Masturbation Reduce Anxiety? This question, does masturbation relieve stress, can have different findings for different people. For some people, sex can offer some degree of temporary alleviation from the feelings of stress through endorphin production and overall relaxation. Anxiety can be diminished due to this, in which the individual gets a break to be free from stress temporarily. A report by the Journal of Behavioral Addictions states that people engaging in compulsive masturbation tend to score higher in anxiety, stress, and symptoms of depression than people engaging in healthy, non-compulsive masturbation. However, when one masturbates purely as a trigger to their anxiety, then it becomes a smokescreen to the real issue that has been going on in their life. In this regard, masturbation and anxiety can be a kind of cycle where one feeds the other. Simply put, just like how the jerk-off may give relief for the time being, masturbation does not help in getting over anxiety in the long run. Does Jerking Off Relieve Stress? Another way to paraphrase the question would be, does jerking off release stress? Well, the answer remains a yes/no. Masturbation might help reduce the