Masturbation boosts your mental health by directly releasing dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins. These neurochemicals improve your mood, lower stress levels, and promote deep, restorative sleep. Regular masturbation reduces anxiety, increases emotional stability, and improves your self-esteem.
Does it help with stress, anxiety and insomnia?
During masturbation, dopamine and endorphin production increases by an average of 30% within 5 minutes. These substances reduce the stress hormone cortisol, which relaxes your muscles and lowers your heart rate. In a study of 312 adults, 86% reported an immediate decrease in anxiety after masturbation.
The effect on insomnia is measurable: the spike in oxytocin and prolactin helps your body transition to sleep mode more quickly. In a sleep study, 71% of participants fell asleep an average of 27 minutes faster after masturbation. Masturbation is not only relaxing but also prepares you physically for deep, uninterrupted sleep.
How to Find a Healthy Balance in Your Masturbation Habits
A healthy frequency is between 3 and 5 times a week, depending on your physical energy and sexual desire. This rhythm keeps your hormone balance stable and prevents masturbation from affecting your daily focus or productivity.
Don't plan masturbation as an escape from emotions, but as conscious moments of relaxation. Choose a fixed time, like before bed, so your body associates it with rest and recovery. Keep it varied and vary your technique : combine solo sex with other forms of intimacy to keep your sexual experience broad.
This balance prevents masturbation from becoming an unhealthy habit and allows you to maximize the mental benefits: more peace, less tension and a better mood.
