A provocative new study from researchers at the University of British Columbia is igniting heated debates and viral reactions after it revealed the long-term physical and psychological effects of completely giving up masturbation—offering one of the first detailed scientific looks at what actually happens to the human body if self-stimulation is eliminated entirely.
The peer-reviewed research, published in the Journal of Behavioral Health, tracked 1,234 male and female participants over a three-year period—each of whom voluntarily abstained from all forms of masturbation for the duration of the study. The findings, summarized in a feature by The Guardian, are both surprising and, in some cases, unsettling.
Lead researcher Dr. Maya Kwon told The New York Times, “We wanted to separate myth from measurable fact. What we discovered is that long-term abstinence from masturbation can affect the brain, body, and hormones in profound ways—some expected, some not.”
One of the most striking outcomes was a measurable rise in cortisol levels, especially in male participants, by the end of the first year. According to the study, those who stopped masturbating entirely saw a 28% spike in chronic stress markers compared to the control group. This effect was first flagged in participant health screenings and later confirmed via saliva hormone testing conducted by an independent team at the University of Munich.
A TikTok reaction by neuroscience PhD student @BrainsWithBeth broke it down for the public: “Cortisol increase means more stress, higher blood pressure, and poorer sleep. Your body basically loses a safety valve.”
For men, testosterone levels initially rose by 16% in the first 30 days, a phenomenon already documented in previous studies, such as one published by Harvard in 2003. But after the 90-day mark, hormone levels plateaued, and eventually declined slightly below baseline by the end of year one. “It’s not a permanent testosterone booster,” said Dr. Kwon. “The body adapts.”
On the flip side, some participants reported higher baseline energy, improved concentration, and enhanced social motivation—benefits that the researchers linked to dopamine sensitivity. “It’s the same principle as with digital detox,” Dr. Kwon told CNN. “If you remove a source of frequent, intense reward, your brain starts responding more acutely to smaller joys.”
Still, the mental health outcomes were sharply divided. A Reddit thread on r/NoFap exploded with debate as users dissected the study’s findings. Roughly 40% of participants reported a surge in anxiety during the first 6–8 months of abstinence. For some, this manifested in mood swings, irritability, and even sleep disturbances.
By contrast, others experienced what the study described as a “self-reinforcing clarity loop,” in which discipline around abstinence spread into other areas of life—like diet, exercise, and screen time. One participant told VICE, “I went in expecting hell. What I got was a routine and the willpower to finish law school.”
The research also revealed potential prostate health implications. Previous studies have linked regular ejaculation to a decreased risk of prostate cancer, as seen in a large-scale 2016 Harvard study. This new paper echoed that concern, warning that men over 50 who abstained from masturbation for prolonged periods had a slightly higher risk of prostate inflammation and congestion—though no direct link to cancer was observed during the study’s limited timeframe.
On X, urologist Dr. Sanjay Menon explained, “The prostate is a fluid-producing organ. If it’s not emptied regularly, it can lead to stagnation, which isn’t ideal for long-term health.”
Meanwhile, relationship dynamics shifted dramatically among couples who tried mutual abstinence. Roughly 34% of partnered participants reported increased sexual tension and stronger desire, leading to more frequent partnered sex. Others, however, described the opposite: decreased libido, more frequent arguments, and a feeling of “disconnect.”
Couples therapist Jane Miller told HuffPost, “Masturbation is often a way people process stress, boredom, or emotional isolation. Removing it can expose cracks in intimacy.”
Perhaps most shockingly, the study documented a minor—but statistically relevant—rise in involuntary sexual behaviors, like erotic dreaming and spontaneous arousal in public settings. One participant told researchers, “I felt like I was back in middle school—random erections at work, weird dreams every night.”
Sexual health advocates have praised the study for its nuanced findings. A spokesperson for the Kinsey Institute told NBC News the study “debunks both the purity culture myths that demonize masturbation and the pop-psych myths that overinflate its absence as some magical life hack.”
The response from online influencers has been mixed. Popular NoFap coach Elliott Hulse applauded the study, saying it confirmed the benefits of restraint. Meanwhile, sex-positive educator @ErikaMoen slammed the abstinence trend as “science-washed shame culture.”
Ultimately, the study’s conclusion was clear: stopping masturbation forever has complex, individualized consequences. Some people report heightened energy and self-control. Others suffer stress, sexual dysfunction, or increased anxiety. The researchers suggest a more realistic public message: balance, not abstinence.
“Masturbation isn’t a vice,” Dr. Kwon told Vox. “It’s a natural function. Like all things, the healthiest approach is one that respects your body’s signals—not society’s slogans.”
