Could an Orgasm a Day Help Keep the Doctor Away?

Research has indicated that masturbation can provide benefits such as releasing sexual tension, improving sleep, reducing stress and improving overall mood. According to the Mayo Clinic, masturbation can also play an important role in sexual development as the act allows individuals to get to know their own bodies and sexual desires.

Sexual benefits of masturbation

First and foremost, masturbation is a great way to get to know your body and discover your likes and dislikes. Not only do you benefit from being able to pleasure yourself more successfully, but masturbation also arms you with the knowledge to pass on to your partner, creating a path toward a more fulfilling sex life.

The sexual benefits of masturbation don't stop there, though. For men who struggle with premature ejaculation, masturbation can help increase their stamina in bed.

Masturbation is also the safest sexual activity in which you can partake. This is because there are no risks of unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like when you have sex with a partner.

Masturbation and general wellness

As the saying goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and so might an orgasm—or two, or three.

Some medical experts believe that regular ejaculation can lower a man's risk of developing prostate cancer, though the reasons are not yet clear. A report by the Massachusetts Male Aging Study showed that men who ejaculate more than twice a week are 45 percent less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

While masturbation is no substitute for living a generally healthy life with a balanced diet and regular exercise, don't count it out as something that can positively contribute to your health.

Can masturbation make you happier?

The main reason people masturbate is a simple one: for pleasure.

Masturbation has proved to provide general improvement in mood and overall relaxation. The act of orgasming triggers a rush of three different pleasure hormones in your brain.

Your brain is rewarded with the hormones dopamine and serotonin when you accomplish a goal. They can temporarily improve your mood and boost your feelings of overall satisfaction and happiness. The third hormone that's released, oxytocin, contributes to your overall feelings of pleasure and also helps you fall asleep easier. So, masturbation can leave you feeling happier, less stressed out and ready to relax.

Masturbation is not the magic cure-all for your body's ailments and life's stresses, but it can definitely give you a burst of relaxation and clarity, among other health benefits. And let's not forget the pleasure.