Ask The Batemaster: When Is This Addiction?

The truth about masturbation is that it cannot have any harmful effects.

QUESTION: Most days I masturbate for at least an hour or two. Can you tell me when this becomes an addiction? Is it so bad to think of it that way?

RESPONSE: Plenty of men in today’s world of male masturbators proudly proclaim themselves to be addicted to masturbation. This is a kind of question I have responded to before. Partly this boils down to a matter of definition and word choices. By definition an addiction often refers to a compulsive physiological need for something habit-forming that has harmful effects. The truth about masturbation is that it cannot have any harmful effects, not unless it reinforces learned guilt or shame, which in practice is still quite often the case. 

The term “addiction” in general use tends to have a negative connotation. Even when guilt and shame are still involved, it is not the action of stimulating your own genitals that causes the harm. Harm may result because of the acquired aura of guilt or shame learned from others, that accompanies the activity.  Do your best to release or overcome that self-loathing, so you can fully enjoy your masturbatory pleasure.

Many more men experience some lingering guilt and shame associated with masturbation, than wish to admit it to themselves, or to anyone else. Let me emphasize that these negative feelings are learned and may be unlearned. The most effective remedy is to retrain yourself to break habitual masturbation patterns and increase the quality of your pleasure. Many men get into a rut during their teens or early adulthood and continue to masturbate much the same way.

Make a conscious choice to try new and different practices during masturbation. Surrender to increased, enhanced erotic ecstasy can eventually help you more than any amount of counseling, pharmaceutical drug therapy, or logical reasoning on the subject.

Specifically speaking to “when this becomes an addiction,” my advice is usually that you cannot possibly masturbate “too much,” unless your compulsion actually interferes with or prevents you from doing other important things you wish or need to accomplish. Be as honest as you can with yourself about this, and you will have your own answer.

Most men love to masturbate. To masturbate a great deal is generally not only common and “normal” for men, but overall is good for your health on every level, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual—however you wish to describe the whole package of being an embodied human.

Allow how much you appreciate the sensations of masturbation to inspire you to take good care of yourself. The better you take care of yourself, the more you can enjoy masturbating! Exercise, hydrate, eat a healthy diet, keep your mind active, rest enough, sleep plenty—all of these in turn enhance your masturbatory pleasure.

Masturbation is an important part of good self-care!

A note from The Batemaster: I’m honored that the guys at Bateworld have asked me to respond to some questions from male masturbators around the world every week.

Always check with your doctor about any issues you might be experiencing with your sexual organs. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are important. This article’s purpose is to inform and entertain readers and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment.