Masturbating is a normal, healthy part of a sex life. Many myths exist surrounding the act, but the truth is, masturbation is beneficial to a sexual relationship and overall health.
When you have an orgasm, your brain releases chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin that make you feel good. These feel-good hormones also help to calm your body’s stress responses.
1. Dopamine
The neurotransmitter dopamine is one of the most important chemicals involved in arousal and orgasm. It sends signals from neurons in your brain to your genitals, where it causes the release of semen. Semen is a key part of male sexual function, and is responsible for ejaculation, penile erection, and orgasms. The erection process is controlled by another neurotransmitter, norepinephrine.
When you have an orgasm, your body releases many hormones that make you feel good. These include dopamine, which is also known as the happiness hormone; endorphins, which are natural pain relievers; and oxytocin, which helps you bond with others. In addition, orgasms increase blood flow to the sensory region of the brain and the brainstem. This helps keep the brain healthy by delivering a fresh supply of oxygen.
During sex, orgasms, and masturbation, you can also get a boost of serotonin. This can help you relax, which may be why you feel good during sex or masturbation.
If you are prone to premature ejaculation, you can try a variety of things to reduce it. Doctors have found that SSRI antidepressants, such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, clomipramine, and tramadol, can extend the time between orgasms. They work by preventing cells from reabsorbing serotonin, so the chemical’s effects are extended. Some couples have also found that sex therapy or counseling can help them overcome PE.
2. Oxytocin
When you have a full-blown orgasm, your body produces the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin is also known as the “love hormone,” and it’s associated with social bonding. It makes you feel warm and fuzzy when you cuddle with a loved one, and it stimulates your penis during sexual climax to cause ejaculation. Oxytocin is important for both men and women, but it’s particularly helpful for males because it promotes sperm transport and decreases the likelihood of premature ejaculation (Rider, 2016).
Aside from the pleasure hormones dopamine and oxytocin, masturbating releases other feel-good chemicals like endorphins. These brain chemicals help you to regulate your emotions, and they boost your happiness and sense of well-being. Some research suggests that masturbating can even make you a better sleeper by decreasing cortisol levels.
Those feeling of clarity and focus you get after an orgasm are likely due to the fact that oxytocin helps your brain focus. A recent study found that sexual arousal and self-induced orgasms increase the amount of white blood cells in your body, which is good news for your immune system.
Many people who masturbate alone find that it’s a great way to relax before bed. This is because oxytocin and other feel-good chemicals can help you to relax, which in turn improves your ability to sleep. Plus, the extra lubrication from orgasming can help you to get to sleep faster.
3. Endorphins
The climax of sexual arousal is orgasm, and it’s during this time that the muscles that were tightened in anticipation of pleasure relax. The body also releases hormones that are absorbed into the bloodstream that cause feelings of intense pleasure, relaxation, and happiness.
This is because of a series of brain chemical changes that take place in the orbitofrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and reward. The ventral tegmental area starts producing dopamine, which is often referred to as the “pleasure chemical.” During climax, this chemical signals to other areas of the brain that human needs are being met. This is why you might feel an overwhelming sense of desire to kiss, touch, and even ejaculate during orgasm.
At the same time, the hypothalamus is releasing corticotroponin-releasing hormone to manipulate a protein called proopiomelanocortin (POMC). When this happens, enzymes in the brain break down POMC into several kinds of peptides including beta-endorphins and met-enkephalin, which are powerful pain relievers.
These peptides produce a feeling of euphoria and reduce stress, anxiety, and pain. This is why you might feel a rush of endorphins when exercising, eating chocolate, feeling love, and having sex. It’s also why depression is associated with blunted activity in this part of the brain. Interestingly, endorphins have many of the same effects as morphine, which is why they are also known as nature’s morphine.
4. Relaxation
For men and women who experience dry ejaculation, or a feeling of wanting to ejaculate but not actually ejaculating, it is usually due to anxiety. It can also be caused by masturbating too close to the mouth/vagina/anus, so try to slow down and stimulate more slowly. Some people find that masturbation in front of a partner can also help as it trains their bodies to wait for the actual orgasm instead of going straight to climax.
This is particularly important for people who are anxious or nervous, as the release of happy hormones like dopamine and oxytocin, and endorphins, can lower cortisol levels (which is a stress hormone) and make them feel more relaxed. This is why many people use masturbation to fall asleep, as it releases these chemicals while stimulating the brain.
Masturbating is a great way to relax, and it can also be used as a sex substitute or lubricant for sex with a partner. The oxytocin and endorphins released during orgasm are also linked to better sleep, as well as decreased cortisol levels. It can also be a great way to relieve sexual tension without the performance anxiety of sex and it is a way to practice self-love and care for your own body. And if you’re feeling particularly generous, donating your sperm to help couples with infertility can also be an excellent way to relax and feel good about yourself.
