9 Reasons masturbation is good for you

Self-pleasure is undoubtedly good for you—mind, body and soul. Don’t believe us? In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8th, Mia Sabat, sex thearpiast at Emjoy the sexual wellbeing audio app for women, is here to enlighten us on the different ways that masturbation-induced orgasms can positively affect the mind and body. From happiness to brain health, you’ll be surprised to learn about the many compelling reasons to make time for self-pleasure!

The brain releases many beneficial hormones during orgasm, including: dopamine, often referred to as the happiness hormone; endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers; and oxytocin, also known as the love hormone.

All of these hormones are beneficial to your brain and body in many ways, as they collectively boost your overall wellbeing.

Many people, especially those with chronic health conditions, experience higher levels of inflammation throughout their bodies, which can sometimes be presented in the form of brain fog. Brain fog is cognitively experienced as slower thinking, lack of concentration, forgetfulness, and/or confusion. Because masturbation has been found to stimulate the production of endocannabinoids (neurotransmitters that play a critical role in regulating the body), stimulating the endocannabinoid system through actions like orgasms may have positive effects on inflammation, and can in turn help to reduce brain fog.

Oxytocin, also known as the cuddle hormone, has a big impact on your overall self-esteem. When released, oxytocin contributes to feelings of increased confidence, especially in relation to how you perceive your body, mind, and emotions.

In fact, a study conducted in 2015 found a link between confidence and masturbation in women, concluding that women who masturbate have higher self-esteem than women who do not. Coincidence? We think not.

It’s no surprise that a surge of pleasure can boost your mood, but do you think of it as an act of self-care? You should! By giving yourself love and attention, you enable your brain and body to reap the rewards, similarly to if you were enjoying a bubble bath.

Orgasms, however, add an extra degree of complexity that a body scrub or relaxing facial can’t achieve. Because orgasms release a rush of dopamine and endorphins, you give your body a release that will make you feel happier, more relaxed and in an overall better mood post-orgasm. Take note for the next time you feel stressed, anxious or in need of pampering—you won’t regret it.

Masturbation can be a great way of relieving stress and worries, as it causes a chemical release which combats your body’s stress response and leaves you feeling soothed, relaxed and at ease. This is all thanks again to our cuddly friends, serotonin and oxytocin, which have been linked to increased pleasure, relaxation, and self-esteem.

In addition to promoting positive self-esteem, oxytocin helps reduce the hormone cortisol. This is important because increased cortisol results in higher levels of stress, anxiety, and inflammation. Surges of dopamine in the brain have also been known to cause a wave of euphoria—which can help to improve your mood and put your stressors and worries on the backburner.

It’s no myth that sex can make many people feel heavy-eyed. Research has even linked sex to a better, more restful slumber, thanks to all the feel-good hormones released during orgasm. Vasopressin and oxytocin encourage your body to sleep when released, so it makes sense that increasing levels of these chemicals through orgasm can help you enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep, too.

Oxytocin further helps to counteract the restless side-effects of the stress hormone cortisol, so next time you’re stuck counting sheep, try seeing if an orgasm can help you feel drowsy.

One of the biggest concerns shared by many women is the loss of desire. Masturbation is, without a doubt, one of the key methods you can use to increase sexual desire and boost libido. Each time you masturbate, you learn a little more about your mind, body, and preferences, whilst activating the pleasure centre of the brain.

The more you stimulate the brain’s pleasure centre, the more your brain wants to seek out repeating these actions to achieve positive feelings. Ultimately, understanding how you like to be touched plays a key role in increasing your libido and overall sex drive, and engaging with these actions often will help to keep your libido elevated.

When you enjoy an orgasm, it’s important to understand that it is much more than a physical or sexual act. You might be surprised to learn that some studies have found that during an orgasm, a part of the conscious mind literally turns off to allow you to experience pleasure fully.

What is more mindful than being completely immersed in an orgasmic moment? When you dedicate time to looking after your body and mind, with the goal of simply feeling good, you are practicing mindfulness, wellness, and self-care, all in one go. It’s a win-win-win.

Pleasure awareness takes on a snowball effect: the more you experience pleasure, the more you think about it, and ultimately, the more you want it! As this desire increases, you will make a continuously greater effort to achieve your desires. When you haven't experienced pleasure for some time, most of the time you won't even think about it and that is completely normal. Self-pleasure helps you engage in pleasure awareness, enabling you to seek out pleasure on a more frequent basis, with much less effort. 

If you need a little help stimulating your mind to seek pleasure, experiment with different forms of erotica to see which jointly stimulates your mind and body best. Audio erotica can be a great place to start, since research has shown that listening to erotica is one of the most successful practices for women to regain libido and achieve sexual satisfaction.

For those wanting to explore but aren’t sure where to start, Emjoy is opening up its audio erotica library for free, in honour of International Women’s Day, from 5-8th March. Just remember that, when it comes to erotica and pleasure, always prioritise connecting with your mind at a pace that feels natural and comfortable to you.

Read more: What is the orgasm gap and how can we close it?

Read more: The relationships that flourished in lockdown