There was a time when masturbation was seen as being harmful to a person’s health. Since then, we’ve learned that masturbation is not only perfectly normal and a natural part of healthy sexuality, but that it can be beneficial to our health as well.
Lower Your Blood Pressure and Stress Levels Naturally
Having an orgasm sets off a number of different physical reactions inside your body. One of these reactions is the release of dopamine and other feel good chemicals which all contribute to that feeling of warm and cozy afterglow people have. Sex is one way to achieve this but masturbation adds a little something more. While the internal processes are the same, the journey you take to get there is very different. When masturbating you don’t have to think about anyone but yourself. This sounds selfish and it is, in a sense. Being able to focus on your own body and its reactions means you can alter the pace, intensity and every other factor to just what you want it to be. You don’t need to worry if your elbow is pulling your partner’s hair or that their left heel is seriously digging into your calf. Being able to spend a few indulgent moments focusing on yourself means you can build to a slower and ultimately more powerful orgasm. This means the most potent benefits of masturbation – stress relief which immediately lowers blood pressure – are even more pronounced.
Problems Performing? Try it Solo for Awhile!
Masturbation isn’t entirely selfish, however. Masturbation can help both men and women when it comes to improving sexual performance. Many men use masturbation techniques in order to increase their stamina and gain better control of their orgasms. This works to treat premature ejaculation and even impotence. Masturbation forces participants to use their imaginations which can lead to some saucy and sexy brainstorming, giving men creative ideas for ways to make their partners orgasm or even ways in which they can try difficult sexual positions or create one of their own.
Prostate Cancer and Masturbation
A study released originally released in 2009 made masturbation front page news. The study, which took place at the University of Nottingham in England, found that men who masturbated in their 50s were less likely to develop prostate cancer. Over the next several years other researchers looked into this strange phenomenon and reached the same conclusions. Concerns over whether or not frequent masturbation could increase the chance of prostate cancer for men in their 20s has caused some concerns, though later studies have found the opposite to be true.
A Clichéd But Sure Cure for Insomnia
The old cliché about men rolling over and falling asleep right after sex may not be true in every case, but it is the overwhelming norm for most. Sex in any form – with a partner or on your own – is a fairly intense physical act and one that releases a number of chemicals into your body when it’s done. These are the same chemicals that help to lower stress and put a person at ease, making it easy to see why masturbation can leave anyone feeling a bit tired and ready for a nap afterwards. Insomnia can be incredibly stressful and masturbation may be the perfect treatment to help men get off and get to sleep.
A Potential Treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome
Research on how masturbation affects our health continues to this day. Just recently a letter published in Sleep Medicine, a medical journal dedicated to addressing sleep conditions, disorders and diseases, provided a potential new benefit of masturbation. In the letter, the doctor described a case where a patient used sex and masturbation as a unique – and ultimately successful – treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).
These side benefits to masturbation may not sound life changing, but they’re a world away from our previous views of this natural, healthy expression of human sexuality. As research continues to uncover the links between sexual happiness and health, many believe more benefits will be discovered.
