Is No Nut November a good idea? We spoke to a sexual health expert
Like many aspects of human sexuality, masturbation has a fraught reputation.
It is capable of giving people immense pleasure, but despite this – or perhaps because of it – many people distrust it and argue that it is bad or dangerous to participate. Therefore, pervasive old beliefs and sexual myths involved in self-pleasure will cause you some form of physical or mental harm.
Although modern perceptions of sexual health have largely shifted the debate away from these baseless claims, sexual negative attitudes still exist in cultures around the world and can be seen in the proliferation of modern challenges against masturbation, such as No Nut November, which has been popular online in recent years, particularly with younger people.
RELATED: Research claims that masturbation leads to a healthier lifestyle
But what exactly is No Nut November? And why are so many men interested in trying it? To answer these other questions, AskMen spoke with a bona fide sex expert. Here’s what he had to say:
What is No Nut November?
“‘No Nut November’ is an annual online challenge that some men take part in, where the goal is to avoid orgasm and ejaculation for the entire month,” says Dr. Justin Lehmiller, Lovehoney Scientific Advisor and Kinsey Institute Researcher.
For most participants, this means no masturbation to completion, no sex. The name has nothing to do with the actual nuts – it’s a reference to “nut” as a sex slang term for an orgasm or ejaculation.
Masturbating without an orgasm may be a common part of No Nut November for some participants, but others may find it antithetical to the challenge. Either way, such behavior is likely to lead to involuntary climax.
RELATED: How masturbation is great for your sex life
Why is No Nut November popular?
“This challenge seems to have started on an online bodybuilding forum around 2009,” says Lehmiller. “It later became popular on the NoFap subreddit and has since spread to other social media platforms.”
“One of the ideas that made it popular was the belief that masturbation and orgasm decrease testosterone and that, by abstaining, you can increase your hormone levels and improve strength and energy,” he says. “However, there is no research to support these purported benefits.”
Some of these beliefs may stem from the feeling of sleepiness or low energy that occurs after orgasm, also known as the “post-coital hangover.”
This is a normal response to orgasm that comes from certain hormones released in the brain during climax, most likely oxytocin and prolactin – but regardless, it’s a temporary feeling and not a sign that your orgasm has weakened or you’ve lost your testosterone .
RELATED: Debunking myths about the dangers of “chronic” masturbation
There are also cultural and social factors — participating in a popular challenge can be a fun exercise in comparing yourself to others and trying to compete against them.
Since No Nut November is a challenge not to do something may feel easier than a challenge that requires an active effort to engage in something every day — although many men will realize that it may take a not insignificant amount of effort to avoid masturbating for an entire month.
Finally, men may feel complex or negative feelings about the pornography they watch and decide to quit masturbation as well as porn, rather than choosing to quit porn and masturbate using other erotic material or simply fantasizing.
RELATED: Is porn bad for you?
Is No Nut November a good idea?
In general, skipping masturbation for a month (or at least trying) is harmless. And it’s true that masturbation can be overdone or in some cases have negative side effects.
However, a closer look may reveal some valid reasons that No Nut November may be neither necessary nor a positive venture for would-be participants.
“If someone wants to take a temporary break from masturbation and/or sex, that’s a personal decision and not inherently good or bad,” says Lehmiller. “But it’s important to think carefully about your reasons.”
RELATED: Why masturbation matters
“If you’re doing it to boost testosterone,” he notes, “be advised it won’t work — the research just doesn’t support the idea that abstinence increases testosterone.”
“Likewise, if you’re doing it because you think masturbation in general is unhealthy, think again,” says Lehmiller. “Research has found that there are many health benefits to pleasuring yourself.”
For one, research suggests that regular orgasm can reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Other benefits can include lower stress, better sleep, and greater overall happiness—not to mention that masturbating with a partner can be a great addition to a couple’s sex life, particularly if penetrative sex proves difficult for a variety of reasons.
RELATED: Do you masturbate too often? Here’s why the answer is probably “no”
Second, many men have complicated relationships with masturbation because of feelings of sexual shame. Cutting back on your masturbation may reduce these feelings, but it won’t address the root cause of the discomfort.
For better long-term results, trying to recognize that masturbation is a normal and healthy human behavior may be a more productive approach.
“However,” notes Lehmiller, “if you’re doing it because you just want to take a break for a while and focus on other things, there’s nothing wrong with that.”
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