Whether you’re willing to acknowledge it or not, it’s likely that you’re familiar with or have engaged in masturbation. For a significant period of human history, masturbation has carried a stigma, particularly when it comes to women. However, in today’s more progressive society, supported by scientific research, we have developed a more open-minded perspective on the subject. If you’re currently in a phase of growth, you may question whether masturbation affects your growth potential.
What is masturbation?
Masturbation is an act of self-satisfying and relieving sexual desires by taking sensual action on one’s genitalia. It is quite commonly happening at any age and any gender.
Children before puberty may have chances of discovering themselves, too. In this case, parents should let them know it is normal, and they should only do so in private. If you have questions regarding masturbation, it is best to consult with your doctors, physicians, and health counselors.
For centuries, masturbation has been stigmatized in many cultures, though this action and tendency is natural and even occurs in other species. These stigmas are still severely embedded in many people’s minds, which is why it is intimidating for them to have a wholesome discussion. As a result, they tend to believe in unnecessary misconceptions about masturbation, which may do more harm than good.
Masturbation is a part of our biological construct, which usually brings us many benefits if we practice it in moderation. As with many things, overdoing it may cause harm and diseases, and some believe it could result in stunning growth.
Why do we masturbate?
As masturbation has many relieving benefits, people do relax their sexual urges, tension, and stress. Another reason why people masturbate is to explore themselves. Different people have different needs and sensitive points, and doing so helps them understand themselves better.
There is no dating status requirement to masturbate. It is normal for people, either single or currently in a relationship, to masturbate. Some couples even do so with their partners to better understand each other.
While many masturbate often, it is also normal for some not to do so at all. Each of us has different needs and reasons, and masturbation is a personal matter that there are no one-size-fits-all rules for it.
What happens with your body when you masturbate?
Masturbation is among many sexual activities. So like many sexual pleasures and orgasms, this action leads to the secretion of a wide variety of following chemicals and hormones focused on the pleasure-reward area:
Adrenaline
Adrenaline is also known as the fight-or-flight hormone as it triggers this response throughout the human revolution. It is released from the tops of your kidneys. Adrenaline is responsible for regulating the cardiovascular system, boosting metabolism, expanding the lungs’ air passages for better oxygen flows, reducing pain sensitivity, and improving the functions of other senses.
Dopamine
Dopamine is the “happiness” feeling that is responsible for physical movement, inspiration, and rewarding feelings. Known as the “happiness” hormone, dopamine is a critical neurotransmitter involved in motivation, movement, and reward-seeking.
It has been looked down upon by many because many have abused drugs to enjoy this sensation. Aside from this get-high-quick method, there are many ways to experience this feeling naturally, such as doing activities like masturbating.
Endocannabinoids
Endocannabinoids help stabilize anxiety, depression, addiction, inflammation, and pain while also enhancing metabolic and cardiovascular systems. These neurotransmitters are also crucial to some mental aspects, such as social interaction, eating, learning, and memory.
Endorphins
Endorphins are pain-relieving chemicals in the brain that work better than Morphine. They are known as “feel-good” hormones that give you the pleasant high or rush associated with workouts.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin helps promote good feelings originating from sexual, maternal, and social behaviors. Besides being known as the “love” hormone, this chemical also assists physical development and well-being, healing, and better social relations.
Prolactin
Hormone like Prolactin facilitates physiological reactions to fertilization, stress relief, and emotional stability.
Serotonin
This neurotransmitter helps promote positive emotions such as joy, optimism, and pleasure, leading to better moods.
Can masturbation stunt my growth?
As a major misconception, masturbation cannot stunt growth. There is no correlation between growth capability with masturbation. As a matter of fact, masturbation helps regulate your mood and sleep for better physical development while promoting the healthy and natural release of many beneficial neurological chemicals.
However, excessive masturbation can cause negative effects on your physical and mental well-being. Overdoing it causes physical exhaustion, which prevents your time and energy from doing other healthy activities such as sports. This problem can cause a halt in your growth potential. Masturbation also may interfere with your daily schedule and trouble your performance at school and work.
Mentally, when masturbation starts interrupting other aspects of your life, this is when you become addicted to it. As you just learned above, sexual activities release brain chemicals that cause euphoria and pleasure, and they can become addictive similar to drugs and impulsive eating. With such addiction, you will have difficulties in brain function for physical development. For example, excessive masturbation can badly influence your sleep cycle and mental focus. This is why masturbation can only benefit you greatly as long as you practice it in moderation.
Masturbation misconceptions
Some choose to masturbate once a week, once a month, every day, or even once every few months. As a matter of fact, many in their 20s or 30s have never masturbated, and that is totally acceptable and perfectly normal. It is normal for some people to do so more often than others, as long as it does not interfere with their responsibilities, social interactions, and daily tasks.
If the frequency is over the boundaries and affecting their daily functioning, it now becomes a problem, and they should consult with a therapist or counselor.
As masturbation is heavily stigmatized, many misbelieve that this is an act of shame, due to traditions or religious reasons, and they should feel guilty about it. By doing so carefully there is less likelihood that you will get sexually transmitted diseases and illnesses than with typical intercourse.
If you feel pain or irritation afterward for a long period, you should visit your doctor.
Remember, more people masturbate than you think.
Benefits
Better mental health
While engaged in sexual activity, the body releases Oxytocin, which promises to alleviate stress chemicals like Cortisol while increasing calmness. Moreover, prolactin aids in managing stress reactions.
Masturbation triggers the release of Dopamine, Oxytocin, and Endorphins, all of which are associated with positive feelings. This sexual activity may enhance focus, attention, and motivation by releasing more Dopamine into the system. This hormone is the stimulation for many to accomplish complicated assignments. A person’s self-esteem can be boosted by learning how to indulge themselves. Masturbation may increase Adrenaline levels, which have been linked to a sense of existence’s meaning or individual development.
These mental benefits massively support your height growth and overall development during your teenage years.
Stress Relief:
Masturbation provides a healthy and natural way to release tension and reduce stress levels. Engaging in self-pleasure allows the body to relax and experience a sense of calm and satisfaction.
Enhance sleep
Masturbation causes an orgasm, which unleashes neurological chemicals and may make it easier to fall asleep by decreasing blood pressure and anxiety levels. It also accelerates the process of getting to sleep and enhances the sleep experience. This can lead to better physical recovery for better development during your growth stage.
Enhanced Mood
Masturbation triggers the release of dopamine and endorphins, commonly known as “feel-good” chemicals. These neurotransmitters contribute to a boost in mood and overall well-being.
Sexual Pleasure and Exploration
Masturbation allows individuals to discover their own bodies, understand their sexual preferences, and explore what feels pleasurable to them. This knowledge can enhance sexual experiences both individually and with a partner.
Healthy Sexual Functioning
Regular masturbation can help individuals maintain healthy sexual function. It can improve blood flow to the genital area, promote vaginal elasticity, and reduce the risk of sexual discomfort or pain.
Improve physical well-being
Endorphins and Endocannabinoids are natural painkillers, known to aid control of pain and inflammation. They could also help ease menstrual discomfort and partially relieve headaches or even migraines.
Prolactin and Endocannabinoids help enhance your immunity while also reducing stress and neural damage.
Many hormones and neurotransmitters, parts of the human reproductive cycle, contribute to its regulation by encouraging the denser production of stimulating substances.
Side effects
Aside from all the positive benefits, masturbating is not for everyone. It is normal to not masturbate as a personal choice but not to stigmatize it. Ethnically or religiously anti-masturbation people feel terrible or ashamed if they do it or simply think about it.
Excessive masturbation, which is also known as compulsive sexual behavior, can sometimes result in medical issues, including cramping, swollen genitalia, or broken skin. As masturbating causes the release of dopamine, many people have abused this activity to an abnormal frequency for the rewarding and “good” feeling that leads to addiction, which can negatively affect their growth capability. In cases like this, it is best to seek help from a mental health professional who specializes in sexual health.
To wrap up,
Masturbation causes a wide range of neurological chemicals to be released, which are all associated with good feelings, experiences, and physical reactions. It also promotes a better sleep cycle, heart health, immunity, and metabolism, all of which bring positive effects on your growth capability.
This sexual activity is a healthy safe behavior. Furthermore, it helps people discover their preferences. It could even enhance aspects of well-being including contentment, relaxation, self-worth, and body image.
If masturbation, however, negatively impacts a person’s everyday life, connections, sexual performance, or overall well-being, they should consult a physician or therapist. People can also get treatment from a professional if masturbation results in strong or pervasive unpleasant emotions, including guilt, embarrassment, remorse, discomfort, and humiliation.
FAQs
Is it normal to masturbate during puberty?
Yes, it is entirely normal to masturbate during puberty. It is a part of exploring one’s own body and sexuality.
Does masturbation cause any long-term harm?
No, masturbation does not cause any long-term harm. It is a healthy sexual behavior when practiced in moderation.
Can excessive masturbation lead to sexual problems?
Excessive masturbation, like any other excessive behavior, may lead to psychological issues or dependency. However, it does not cause permanent sexual problems.
At what age does growth stop?
Growth stops when an individual reaches their full adult height, which is typically around the late teens or early twenties.
Are there any benefits of abstaining from masturbation?
Abstaining from masturbation is a personal choice and does not necessarily provide any physical or health benefits. It depends on individual preferences and beliefs.
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