Masturbation abstinence is popular online. Doctors and therapists are worried | Hacker News Reader

Masturbation abstinence is popular online. Doctors and therapists are worried

npr.org

34 pointslaurex14 comments

I wonder if there's a certain observable benefit to this, not biological but in creating an habit of self-control plus also the placebo effect that must come from this.

It could very well be replaced with reducing Youtube or videogames usage as well though.

As far as I know there is no known benefit, but for males at least there is the possible downside of very slightly increased risk of prostate cancer/dysfunction. Frankly it isn't that well studied, but it's worth saying that quacks, mystics, ascetics and charismatic leaders have claimed "nofap" is profoundly beneficial. It's also worth saying that they've never managed to demonstrate that alleged benefit in a satisfactory way.

The current movement bears all of the hallmarks of cults.

I mean it’s far larger than a normal cult and not centralized around a figure, but i get where you’re coming from.

I keep wondering if the internet age + social media is helping to create another kind of cult, a decentralised new type of cultish beliefs without necessarily a single charismatic leader but a network of them feeding each other.

It's happening with conspiracy theories, there's no single central figure commanding them but a stochastic machine reeling people in, which then feedbacks into itself.

Nofap has definitely traces of cultish behaviour, I'd like a new word to describe such movements because it seems they will only increase over time.

> It's happening with conspiracy theories, there's no single central figure commanding them but a stochastic machine reeling people in, which then feedbacks into itself.

Interesting view. Kinda reminds me of stuff in Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.

My aunt is an addictologist (my spellchecker disagree with this word, "addictologue" in French?), and 15 years ago, we talked about sex addiction replacing other addictions, and how some people could have characteristics/behavioral patterns that will push them towards comportemental addictions that will hurt them.

I'm definitely in that case, and i try to keep masturbation as at most an escape when i'm bored, and try to keep the material light (mostly erotica literature), to avoid addiction.

I do think that a masturbating addiction can be damaging, and if people really cannot control themselves, maybe abstinence can be a way.

I would temper that a bit more: by far, the most damaging comportmental addiction to me is food addiction, except you cannot be a food abstinent. Masturbation is quite tame, and easy to replace with something more enjoyable in the long run. And also, masturbating is a great way of knowing your body, how it work and respond, and how to control it better.

Reducing all those things will make you more dopamine sensitive, hence motivated and appreciative of earning real stimulation.

On what basis do you make this claim? On google scholar I can find 100s of studies pointing to negative impacts which have biological basis. https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/review_article/pdf/131357/...

Once a day, after dinner. Too early, too much, vents mojo. You want to want. It's the driver.

This sounds lifted straight from a Rogan episode

You'll go blind if you do, you'll go nuts if you don't.

Teddy Roosevelt might've used the word "Continence" in speaking of the same subject. I guess it's easier when you have access to horses.

Edit to clarify: "I guess"; me personally.

I am not speculating on the propriety or depth of Mr Roosevelt's relationships with anyone or anything.

Are you saying Teddy Roosevelt banged horses?

A nod’s as good as a wink to a blind bat.

is your wife into… photography?

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