Can Masturbation Help Relieve Stress?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Masturbation Can Help Reduce StressMasturbation Can Boost Self-EsteemMasturbation Can Sometimes Cause StressModeration Is Key

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

How Masturbation Can Help Reduce Stress

Masturbation Can Boost Self-Esteem

Masturbation Can Sometimes Cause Stress

Moderation Is Key

When life’s stresses are piling up and you need some relief, one solution might (literally) be right at your fingertips. Masturbation might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re feeling stressed, but it really can be an effective way to let go of some of the tension you are carrying around.Masturbation refers to stimulating one’s genitals for sexual arousal or pleasure, often to reachorgasm. It’s common among individuals of all age groups and is considered a key player in healthy sexual development. The term “masturbation” can mean different things to different people. Some may choose to engage in it alone, while others may masturbate in the presence of a partner.Regardless of how it’s practiced, masturbation can be an effective tool for improving mental health and relievingstress. However, it can come with unpleasant side effects like feelings ofguilt,shame, andanxiety. Some may also developcompulsivemasturbation habits that impair their quality of life.Is Masturbation Good for Your Mental Health?How Masturbation Can Help Reduce StressThough masturbation can bring about mixed emotional feelings in some individuals, the scientific data suggests that it can be an effective tool for stress relief (when practiced in moderation) because the brainreleases several hormonesduring masturbation that can help alleviate stress.Hormones released during masturbation include:Oxytocin:Oxytocin, the “love hormone,” is aneurotransmitterreleased during orgasm, which has stress-relieving properties. One of oxytocin’s functions is bringing about feelings of greater connectivity and increasingpro-social behavior.Research has also found that oxytocin can alleviate stress and anxiety, and also helps individuals better process negative emotional stimuli.Serotonin: Another chemical released during masturbation isserotonin, a neurotransmitter that can help improve mood.Endocannabinoids: Masturbation can increase levels of endocannabinoids.These are hormones that bind to cannabinoid receptors just like the chemicals incannabisdo, and are responsible for maintaininghomeostasiswithin the body. Research on endocannabinoids is still emerging, but these compounds have been found to play a role in reducing anxiety, regulating emotional behavior, and supporting cognition.It Can Also Help You Sleep BetterOne study had 778 participants report their sleep quality, either after masturbation or after having sex with a partner.Researchers found that, among both males and females, those who orgasmed via masturbation reported better sleep quality than when engaging in sexual activity with a partner. These individuals also reported thatmasturbation helped them fall asleep faster.It Might Even Help You Think More ClearlyMasturbation can be helpful in maintainingcognition, especially in older adults. One finding explored the relationship between sexual activity and cognitive function in over 6,800 adults between the ages of 50 and 89.Among both men and women, those who reported a higher frequency of sexual activity performed better on recall tasks.However, this study does not examine masturbation specifically, so further research is required to determine masturbation’s effect on cognition.Masturbation Can Boost Self-EsteemA little self-love isn’t just good for stress relief, it can also play a part in how good you feel about yourself. Masturbation can raise a person’sself-esteemand provide them with a sense of self-knowledge, control, and pleasure. All of these things are good for your self-image, well-being, and ability to withstand life’s stresses.One study found that these feelings arose in a sample of 40 college-aged women who masturbated solo. The same study, however, also pointed out that masturbation led toguilt(when practiced solo) and awkwardness (both when practicing solo and with a partner). Several factors can impact how these individuals viewed masturbation, including race/ethnicity, current social norms, andunderlying feelings about sex.Masturbation Can Help Women Achieve OrgasmAnother study found that women have an easier time reaching sexual arousal and orgasm when masturbating.Masturbation can also help relieve menstrual cramps.Masturbation Can Sometimes Cause StressWhile masturbation has many benefits, it’s also important to recognize that it may result in feelings of guilt or shame for some people.Though masturbation is practiced in societies around the world, many religions and cultures consider it animmoralact. Individuals in these prohibitive cultures can develop ‘masturbatory guilt,’ a phenomenon in which they become severely distressed and can developdepressionand anxiety.Research has shown that while women often find that masturbation could help them reach orgasm, some report feelings ofguilt and shamewhen they masturbate.Moderation Is KeyAside from potentially bringing about guilt, shame, or emotional distress,masturbation may also become addictive. Self-pleasure is healthy, but too much can become a problem, particularly if it starts to interfere with your ability to function normally.Though it’s not a diagnosable mental health condition listed in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,masturbation addiction can occur. This is usually when masturbation becomes excessive and compulsive, negatively impacting other areas of an individual’s life.While it’s not a distinction condition, it does fall under the umbrella of behavioral addictions. Signs that a person might have a masturbation addiction include:Spending too much time masturbatingHaving problems at work, school, or home because of the behaviorChoosing masturbation over other activitiesEngaging in the behavior in risky situationsBeing unable to stopFeeling distressed or guilty about the behaviorExperiencingintrusive thoughtsabout masturbatingRecapMasturbation is perfectly normal and can be a healthy way to experience pleasure and let go of tension. However, it can become a compulsive or addictive behavior if overused. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help you get control over it if you think it is a problem, including behavioral therapies.TakeawaysYes, masturbation really can be a great source of stress relief, and no, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Engaging in a little self-love can be a way to boost self-esteem, improve your self-life, and increase neurochemicals that improve mood and fight stress.It’s not always fun and uncomplicated; some people see it as a source of shame or guilt due to cultural or religious beliefs. While it can be enjoyable to let go of tension, balance is key. Just be sure to focus on other healthy ways to deal with stress and watch for signs that it might be becoming a compulsive or addictive behavior.Is Masturbation Good for Your Mental Health?

Masturbation refers to stimulating one’s genitals for sexual arousal or pleasure, often to reachorgasm. It’s common among individuals of all age groups and is considered a key player in healthy sexual development. The term “masturbation” can mean different things to different people. Some may choose to engage in it alone, while others may masturbate in the presence of a partner.

Regardless of how it’s practiced, masturbation can be an effective tool for improving mental health and relievingstress. However, it can come with unpleasant side effects like feelings ofguilt,shame, andanxiety. Some may also developcompulsivemasturbation habits that impair their quality of life.

Is Masturbation Good for Your Mental Health?

Though masturbation can bring about mixed emotional feelings in some individuals, the scientific data suggests that it can be an effective tool for stress relief (when practiced in moderation) because the brainreleases several hormonesduring masturbation that can help alleviate stress.

Hormones released during masturbation include:

It Can Also Help You Sleep Better

One study had 778 participants report their sleep quality, either after masturbation or after having sex with a partner.

Researchers found that, among both males and females, those who orgasmed via masturbation reported better sleep quality than when engaging in sexual activity with a partner. These individuals also reported thatmasturbation helped them fall asleep faster.

It Might Even Help You Think More Clearly

Masturbation can be helpful in maintainingcognition, especially in older adults. One finding explored the relationship between sexual activity and cognitive function in over 6,800 adults between the ages of 50 and 89.Among both men and women, those who reported a higher frequency of sexual activity performed better on recall tasks.

However, this study does not examine masturbation specifically, so further research is required to determine masturbation’s effect on cognition.

A little self-love isn’t just good for stress relief, it can also play a part in how good you feel about yourself. Masturbation can raise a person’sself-esteemand provide them with a sense of self-knowledge, control, and pleasure. All of these things are good for your self-image, well-being, and ability to withstand life’s stresses.

One study found that these feelings arose in a sample of 40 college-aged women who masturbated solo. The same study, however, also pointed out that masturbation led toguilt(when practiced solo) and awkwardness (both when practicing solo and with a partner). Several factors can impact how these individuals viewed masturbation, including race/ethnicity, current social norms, andunderlying feelings about sex.

Masturbation Can Help Women Achieve OrgasmAnother study found that women have an easier time reaching sexual arousal and orgasm when masturbating.Masturbation can also help relieve menstrual cramps.

Masturbation Can Help Women Achieve Orgasm

Another study found that women have an easier time reaching sexual arousal and orgasm when masturbating.Masturbation can also help relieve menstrual cramps.

While masturbation has many benefits, it’s also important to recognize that it may result in feelings of guilt or shame for some people.

Though masturbation is practiced in societies around the world, many religions and cultures consider it animmoralact. Individuals in these prohibitive cultures can develop ‘masturbatory guilt,’ a phenomenon in which they become severely distressed and can developdepressionand anxiety.

Research has shown that while women often find that masturbation could help them reach orgasm, some report feelings ofguilt and shamewhen they masturbate.

Aside from potentially bringing about guilt, shame, or emotional distress,masturbation may also become addictive. Self-pleasure is healthy, but too much can become a problem, particularly if it starts to interfere with your ability to function normally.

Though it’s not a diagnosable mental health condition listed in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,masturbation addiction can occur. This is usually when masturbation becomes excessive and compulsive, negatively impacting other areas of an individual’s life.

While it’s not a distinction condition, it does fall under the umbrella of behavioral addictions. Signs that a person might have a masturbation addiction include:

RecapMasturbation is perfectly normal and can be a healthy way to experience pleasure and let go of tension. However, it can become a compulsive or addictive behavior if overused. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help you get control over it if you think it is a problem, including behavioral therapies.

Recap

Masturbation is perfectly normal and can be a healthy way to experience pleasure and let go of tension. However, it can become a compulsive or addictive behavior if overused. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help you get control over it if you think it is a problem, including behavioral therapies.

Takeaways

Yes, masturbation really can be a great source of stress relief, and no, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Engaging in a little self-love can be a way to boost self-esteem, improve your self-life, and increase neurochemicals that improve mood and fight stress.

It’s not always fun and uncomplicated; some people see it as a source of shame or guilt due to cultural or religious beliefs. While it can be enjoyable to let go of tension, balance is key. Just be sure to focus on other healthy ways to deal with stress and watch for signs that it might be becoming a compulsive or addictive behavior.

12 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Love TM.The impact of oxytocin on stress: the role of sex.Curr Opin Behav Sci.2018 Oct;23:136-142. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.06.018National Library of Medicine.Physiology, Serotonin.Fuss J, Bindila L, Wiedemann K, Auer MK, Briken P, Biedermann SV.Masturbation to orgasm stimulates the release of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol in humans.J Sex Med.2017 Nov;14(11):1372-1379. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.09.016Lowe H, Toyang N, Steele B, Bryant J, Ngwa W.The endocannabinoid system: A potential target for the treatment of various diseases.Int J Mol Sci.2021 Aug 31;22(17):9472. doi:10.3390/ijms22179472Lastella M, O’Mullan C, Paterson JL, Reynolds AC.Sex and sleep: Perceptions of sex as a sleep promoting behavior in the general adult population.Front Public Health. 2019;7:33. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00033Wright H, Jenks RA.Sex on the brain! Associations between sexual activity and cognitive function in older age.Age Ageing. 2016 Mar;45(2):313-7. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afv197. Epub 2016 Jan 28.Foust MD, Komolova M, Malinowska P, Kyono Y.Sexual Subjectivity in Solo and Partnered Masturbation Experiences Among Emerging Adult Women.Arch Sex Behav.2022 Aug 29. doi: 10.1007/s10508-022-02390-9.Wehrli FSV, Bodenmann GJ, Clemen J, Weitkamp K.Exploring the role of masturbation as a coping strategy in women.Int J Sex Health. 2024;36(3):237-256. doi:10.1080/19317611.2024.2344812Gianotten WL, Alley JC, Diamond LM.The health benefits of sexual expression.Int J Sex Health. 2021;33(4):478-493. doi:10.1080/19317611.2021.1966564Aneja J, Grover S, Avasthi A, Mahajan S, Pokhrel P, Triveni D.Can masturbatory guilt lead to severe psychopathology: A case series.Indian J Psychol Med.2015 Jan-Mar;37(1):81-6. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.150848American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. DSM-5-TR. American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787Karila L, Wéry A, Weinstein A, et al.Sexual addiction or hypersexual disorder: different terms for the same problem? A review of the literature.Curr Pharm Des. 2014;20(25):4012-4020. doi:10.2174/13816128113199990619

12 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Love TM.The impact of oxytocin on stress: the role of sex.Curr Opin Behav Sci.2018 Oct;23:136-142. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.06.018National Library of Medicine.Physiology, Serotonin.Fuss J, Bindila L, Wiedemann K, Auer MK, Briken P, Biedermann SV.Masturbation to orgasm stimulates the release of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol in humans.J Sex Med.2017 Nov;14(11):1372-1379. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.09.016Lowe H, Toyang N, Steele B, Bryant J, Ngwa W.The endocannabinoid system: A potential target for the treatment of various diseases.Int J Mol Sci.2021 Aug 31;22(17):9472. doi:10.3390/ijms22179472Lastella M, O’Mullan C, Paterson JL, Reynolds AC.Sex and sleep: Perceptions of sex as a sleep promoting behavior in the general adult population.Front Public Health. 2019;7:33. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00033Wright H, Jenks RA.Sex on the brain! Associations between sexual activity and cognitive function in older age.Age Ageing. 2016 Mar;45(2):313-7. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afv197. Epub 2016 Jan 28.Foust MD, Komolova M, Malinowska P, Kyono Y.Sexual Subjectivity in Solo and Partnered Masturbation Experiences Among Emerging Adult Women.Arch Sex Behav.2022 Aug 29. doi: 10.1007/s10508-022-02390-9.Wehrli FSV, Bodenmann GJ, Clemen J, Weitkamp K.Exploring the role of masturbation as a coping strategy in women.Int J Sex Health. 2024;36(3):237-256. doi:10.1080/19317611.2024.2344812Gianotten WL, Alley JC, Diamond LM.The health benefits of sexual expression.Int J Sex Health. 2021;33(4):478-493. doi:10.1080/19317611.2021.1966564Aneja J, Grover S, Avasthi A, Mahajan S, Pokhrel P, Triveni D.Can masturbatory guilt lead to severe psychopathology: A case series.Indian J Psychol Med.2015 Jan-Mar;37(1):81-6. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.150848American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. DSM-5-TR. American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787Karila L, Wéry A, Weinstein A, et al.Sexual addiction or hypersexual disorder: different terms for the same problem? A review of the literature.Curr Pharm Des. 2014;20(25):4012-4020. doi:10.2174/13816128113199990619

Love TM.The impact of oxytocin on stress: the role of sex.Curr Opin Behav Sci.2018 Oct;23:136-142. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.06.018National Library of Medicine.Physiology, Serotonin.Fuss J, Bindila L, Wiedemann K, Auer MK, Briken P, Biedermann SV.Masturbation to orgasm stimulates the release of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol in humans.J Sex Med.2017 Nov;14(11):1372-1379. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.09.016Lowe H, Toyang N, Steele B, Bryant J, Ngwa W.The endocannabinoid system: A potential target for the treatment of various diseases.Int J Mol Sci.2021 Aug 31;22(17):9472. doi:10.3390/ijms22179472Lastella M, O’Mullan C, Paterson JL, Reynolds AC.Sex and sleep: Perceptions of sex as a sleep promoting behavior in the general adult population.Front Public Health. 2019;7:33. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00033Wright H, Jenks RA.Sex on the brain! Associations between sexual activity and cognitive function in older age.Age Ageing. 2016 Mar;45(2):313-7. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afv197. Epub 2016 Jan 28.Foust MD, Komolova M, Malinowska P, Kyono Y.Sexual Subjectivity in Solo and Partnered Masturbation Experiences Among Emerging Adult Women.Arch Sex Behav.2022 Aug 29. doi: 10.1007/s10508-022-02390-9.Wehrli FSV, Bodenmann GJ, Clemen J, Weitkamp K.Exploring the role of masturbation as a coping strategy in women.Int J Sex Health. 2024;36(3):237-256. doi:10.1080/19317611.2024.2344812Gianotten WL, Alley JC, Diamond LM.The health benefits of sexual expression.Int J Sex Health. 2021;33(4):478-493. doi:10.1080/19317611.2021.1966564Aneja J, Grover S, Avasthi A, Mahajan S, Pokhrel P, Triveni D.Can masturbatory guilt lead to severe psychopathology: A case series.Indian J Psychol Med.2015 Jan-Mar;37(1):81-6. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.150848American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. DSM-5-TR. American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787Karila L, Wéry A, Weinstein A, et al.Sexual addiction or hypersexual disorder: different terms for the same problem? A review of the literature.Curr Pharm Des. 2014;20(25):4012-4020. doi:10.2174/13816128113199990619

Love TM.The impact of oxytocin on stress: the role of sex.Curr Opin Behav Sci.2018 Oct;23:136-142. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.06.018

National Library of Medicine.Physiology, Serotonin.

Fuss J, Bindila L, Wiedemann K, Auer MK, Briken P, Biedermann SV.Masturbation to orgasm stimulates the release of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol in humans.J Sex Med.2017 Nov;14(11):1372-1379. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.09.016

Lowe H, Toyang N, Steele B, Bryant J, Ngwa W.The endocannabinoid system: A potential target for the treatment of various diseases.Int J Mol Sci.2021 Aug 31;22(17):9472. doi:10.3390/ijms22179472

Lastella M, O’Mullan C, Paterson JL, Reynolds AC.Sex and sleep: Perceptions of sex as a sleep promoting behavior in the general adult population.Front Public Health. 2019;7:33. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00033

Wright H, Jenks RA.Sex on the brain! Associations between sexual activity and cognitive function in older age.Age Ageing. 2016 Mar;45(2):313-7. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afv197. Epub 2016 Jan 28.

Foust MD, Komolova M, Malinowska P, Kyono Y.Sexual Subjectivity in Solo and Partnered Masturbation Experiences Among Emerging Adult Women.Arch Sex Behav.2022 Aug 29. doi: 10.1007/s10508-022-02390-9.

Wehrli FSV, Bodenmann GJ, Clemen J, Weitkamp K.Exploring the role of masturbation as a coping strategy in women.Int J Sex Health. 2024;36(3):237-256. doi:10.1080/19317611.2024.2344812

Gianotten WL, Alley JC, Diamond LM.The health benefits of sexual expression.Int J Sex Health. 2021;33(4):478-493. doi:10.1080/19317611.2021.1966564

Aneja J, Grover S, Avasthi A, Mahajan S, Pokhrel P, Triveni D.Can masturbatory guilt lead to severe psychopathology: A case series.Indian J Psychol Med.2015 Jan-Mar;37(1):81-6. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.150848

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. DSM-5-TR. American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787

Karila L, Wéry A, Weinstein A, et al.Sexual addiction or hypersexual disorder: different terms for the same problem? A review of the literature.Curr Pharm Des. 2014;20(25):4012-4020. doi:10.2174/13816128113199990619

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It Can Also Help You Sleep Better#

It Might Even Help You Think More Clearly#

Masturbation Can Help Women Achieve Orgasm#

Recap#

Takeaways#

It Can Also Help You Sleep Better

It Might Even Help You Think More Clearly

Masturbation Can Help Women Achieve Orgasm

Recap

Takeaways