Choosing not to masturbate can make you feel 'stressed out' and even 'depressed', according to a new study.
Many studies have pointed to health benefits of masturbating, even if it's a topic that may be a little awkward to talk about.
Studies have found that ejaculating once every day can reduce your chances of developing prostate cancer, with one study stating having 21 orgasms a month reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer by a whopping 20 percent.
A new survey commissioned by the makers of a vibrator involved 1,000 women who were give the Magic Wand Rechargeable for a three-week period.
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Those involved with the study had to adhere to some very strict rules: spend one week with no masturbating at all, a week with the vibrator, and another week sticking to their regular sex schedules.
Incredibly, data recorded found that an orgasm a day does well and truly keep the doctor away as the study pointed to many health benefits to masturbating.
The study concluded that a week without pleasure lead to a drop in happiness, body image, confidence, and even maintaining good relationships with those around them.
As per the New York Post, one person involved in the study said: "Using the wand helped me manage my daily stress. It was an excuse to step away from my computer, connect with myself and reset."
Meanwhile, a second added: "The difference in my emotional regulation and dissociation between [the abstinence week and the sex toy week] is huge! I’d only suspected a connection before this study, but the week without sexual activity was worse and worse for emotional regulation and dissociation and depression symptoms."
Candice Nicole Hargons, who was a lead researcher on the study, gushed about the benefits of masturbation.
She told the New York Post: "When thinking about the state of the world and the stress and anxiety crisis that we are living through, we think that orgasms can help us all stay grounded in our bodies and finding joy."
Masturbation is also said to promote better sleep, as highlighted by German health insurance provider Barmer Krankenkasse.
"Masturbation helps you fall asleep," the provider advises. "If you can’t sleep again, just use your hand to pleasure yourself, or use a toy, then sleep comes all by itself."
Meanwhile, sex therapist Judith Golden told Reader’s Digest: Best Health: "Just as people fall into a deep sleep after sex with a partner, because blood pressure is lowered and relaxation is increased through the release of endorphins, masturbation is a good sleeping pill.
"It is relied on by many as a nightly occurrence."
Topics: Health, Science, Sex and Relationships, Mental Health, News
Callum Jones