Has anyone experienced any benefits from not having sex and not masturbating?

[andrew112]

Has anyone experienced any benefits from not having sex AND not masturbating? If so, what were the benefits? Were they spiritual benefits, mental benefits, physical benefits, etc. ? Did Christ (theoretically speaking for the non-believers) ever have sex or masturbate? Does abstaining from sex and masturbation make one stronger and more successful? Does it increase spiritual joy or the sense of accomplishment?

I am curious about this because I managed to go for 2 1/2 years without any sexual thought, action or engagement, but did not experience any benefits at all from it. I was not more spiritual at all. In fact, I was not spiritual in any way for the entire 2 1/2 years. I then decided to experiment with masturbation to see if it made any difference at all. The only difference I see is that I always regret masturbating and wished that I never did it. I always end up thinking to myself, "If I never masturbated, maybe I would have experienced some kind of benefit from abstaining from it, like an increase of energy or an increase in testosterone to aid in my exercise routine."

I once read about a study that was done by some Chinese doctors who observed some men who abstained from sex and masturbation for an entire week. They reported a 50% testosterone increase in the men. That is a significant increase. I would like to experience this benefit, but for some reason, my mind keeps telling me that I would not get any benefits at all from abstaining from all sexual thoughts/actions. Has anyone else experienced anything like this or have been in a similar type of situation?

I know this post is disorganized, but it is the best I can do at the time.

[freewheelnat]

Surely, an increase in testosterone would make you more horny, thus making it difficult to stick to your abstinence program?

Also, aren't high testosterone levels linked to violent behaviours?

I have to say, from a purely pragmatic point of view, if you didn't feel more energy after 2 and a half years of abstinence, it's not going to happen, Chinese study or not.

And to answer your question, I'm a non believer but I accept that Christ did exist as a person (I just don't believe in the whole resurection thing) and I'm pretty sure he did have sex

[Vantage72]

I have experimented with not ejaculating for longer periods of time over the course of two years.

I did not really experience spiritual benefits I think. I did notice I needed less sleep. Or said otherwise: ejaculation makes me sleep more. Other then that I find it hard to tell what not ejaculating exactly does.

Some people (Yoga and Taoism) believe you need to transmute the sexual energy in order to use it in other areas. This can be done with exercises and meditation. I tried those but did not really experience strong enough benefits to continue.

I think it's important to notice the difference between abstaining, as in: I really want to ejaculate but I'm not going to. And not having the desire for ejaculation. The latter is more healthy in my opinion.

[KazeCraven]

Uhh, the only thing I've heard about masturbation is that occasional discharge is healthy (like a few times a month). But then again, most guys have wet dreams if they don't have sex, so...?

[Vantage72]

By the way, if you want to find more people that are experienced in this area have a look at: The Tao Bums - Taoist Discussion Forum for Taoism, Tai Chi, Chi Kung (Qigong) and more

[Beuford]

Twice a day that's my motto.

[ginkgo]

Originally Posted by andrew112

Has anyone experienced any benefits from not having sex AND not masturbating? If so, what were the benefits? Were they spiritual benefits, mental benefits, physical benefits, etc. ? Did Christ (theoretically speaking for the non-believers) ever have sex or masturbate? Does abstaining from sex and masturbation make one stronger and more successful? Does it increase spiritual joy or the sense of accomplishment?

I am curious about this because I managed to go for 2 1/2 years without any sexual thought, action or engagement, but did not experience any benefits at all from it. I was not more spiritual at all. In fact, I was not spiritual in any way for the entire 2 1/2 years. I then decided to experiment with masturbation to see if it made any difference at all. The only difference I see is that I always regret masturbating and wished that I never did it. I always end up thinking to myself, "If I never masturbated, maybe I would have experienced some kind of benefit from abstaining from it, like an increase of energy or an increase in testosterone to aid in my exercise routine."

I once read about a study that was done by some Chinese doctors who observed some men who abstained from sex and masturbation for an entire week. They reported a 50% testosterone increase in the men. That is a significant increase. I would like to experience this benefit, but for some reason, my mind keeps telling me that I would not get any benefits at all from abstaining from all sexual thoughts/actions. Has anyone else experienced anything like this or have been in a similar type of situation?

I know this post is disorganized, but it is the best I can do at the time.

People get things mixed up. If a tree creates a fruit then no matter what happens to the fruit, the plant has used those nutrients.

So once your body creates the testosterone, it does not matter what it is used for. But if the body does not create the testosterone, then it can use that energy for other things.

So how do you turn off the testosterone production? It was done by Jesus Christ before He did any miracles. Moses did it before getting The Commandments from God and Mahatma (great soul) Gandhi did it. Fasting!

When you drink only water for a week or more then your body stops producing testosterone and it uses that energy for physical and spiritual healing. You are temporarily androgynous (neither specifically feminine nor masculine). You have no desire for anything sexual.

[andrew112]

I always knew that fasting was a good thing. I have tried to go on more fasts lately but my parents will not let me fast anymore. They say that if I fast, then I will be thrown out of the house. I would just go fast in the wilderness but I still have too many irrational fears, such as fearing insects. I need to get rid of those fears first, then go outside and fast.

[ethereal]

I also want to know more about this subject.

My life is highly dedicated to spirituality, so anything that helps is useful. I think abstinence is one of those factors that aid in attaining spiritual development. In the Vedas they call it Brahmacharya, and they say that chastity leads to the development of Ojas.

As for the side effects of sex/masturbation, I think it just makes me tired for a day. But I think over the long term, it definitely weakens my will, fatigues me easily, and I don't feel as happy.

I've read in books that there is a way to orgasm without ejaculation, I think David Deida in Way of the Superior Man called it "ejaculating up the spine" and the Taoist masters talk about this too (Mantak Chia is one of the more famous ones). And then there is sexual tantra, which I do not know much about so I won't say much -- just that it seems like it is misused nowadays and definitely do not reflect the original tantric teachings.

I don't know so much about fasting, I recall Ramana Maharshi recommended a sattvic diet in moderate quantities rather than overeating (not sure if he said fasting too). I think overdoing things one way or another makes the mind restless and hard to concentrate.

[MartialDev]

Abstinence does not make one "more spiritual", but its side-effects are prerequisities for other practices that can.

I have published on this subject in my blog, and will publish more soon.

[FazK]

The longest i was ever able to go without sex / masturbation was 3 weeks and it was torture. Personally i think abstinence is stupid and pointless. I never experienced any benefits from going without.

[Vantage72]

Originally Posted by MartialDev

Abstinence does not make one "more spiritual", but its side-effects are prerequisities for other practices that can.

Interesting quote. Seems like you know what you're talking about. I'll check out your blog.

[LWr]

Well... lack of sex makes me feel frustrated, so that's one argument against it being a good thing.

A few years ago, some guy at work, who hadn't had sex since his relationship ended almost a year earlier but now had a girlfriend, asked me:
'Have you noticed how your skin gets better looking when you have a girlfriend?'

I looked at myself in the mirror and agreed with him.

Some times later, in the middle of winter, my uncle asked if I just came back from vacation in Cuba or something. I asked him why, and he answered I looked like I was regularly going to the tanning salon.

I have since accepted as a fact that sex on a regular basis makes me look healthier.
I can only assume that I actually am healthier because of it.

[agnostic]

Originally Posted by andrew112

Has anyone experienced any benefits from not having sex AND not masturbating?

No. But I have experienced many benefits from having sex and masturbating.

[Andrew Brunelle]

Originally Posted by agnostic

No. But I have experienced many benefits from having sex and masturbating.

Kudos to that. Every now and then it is good to get some kind of release. As long as it doesn't become an addiction, you probably won't notice negative effects. You say you regret doing it every time you're done. It's completely natural and should not ruin your energy levels unless, like I said, you are addicted to it.

[gigij]

Originally Posted by andrew112

I always knew that fasting was a good thing.

Because having no desire for anything sexual is a good thing?? Huh?

[hawkal]

Have you ever considered the fact that we animals are hear on an instinctive level purely to ensure the survival of our genes and that the more sexual activities we engage in the better. Even masturbation is good because it makes sure that the most recently produced sperm ( thus better) is used to fertilise an egg in a woman's ovaries.

A very good example that proves this (to me at least) is the link between prostate cancer and ejaculation. Masturbating may protect against prostate cancer - 16 July 2003 - New Scientist

[Liza Red]

Was a while ago but I remember reading about how blood circulation in the penis is very weak. Men basically have to masturbate to increase the blood flow which in turn, prevent problems such as premature ejaculation. Studies also show it can help prostate cancer as well.

So if I walk into a room and my parter is masturbating, I ain't gonna get angry at him lol. It is a natural thing men HAVE to do.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by andrew112

Has anyone experienced any benefits from not having sex AND not masturbating? If so, what were the benefits?

There are some esoteric theories around that.

Try reading "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill - there is a chapter on sex energy.

In general, I would say that abstinence from sex has the benefit of making sex much more enjoyable, when you start again.

[Vantage72]

Originally Posted by hawkal

A very good example that proves this (to me at least) is the link between prostate cancer and ejaculation. Masturbating may protect against prostate cancer - 16 July 2003 - New Scientist

FYI: I took some time to read up on all the numbers in the study. It turned out that there was no significant difference between the group who ejaculated 0 times a month and the group that ejaculated 4-7 times a month. Only people who masturbated more than 21 times had less prostate cancer. (If you want the exact links to all the numbers let me know, I should be able to dig them up.)

Now some people may take this as advice that they should start masturbating 21 times a month, but it hasn't been proved that masturbating more helps preventing prostate cancer. But correlation does not imply causation.

[Curtis2011]

About a year ago I was really desperate due to a lack of female attention, and was masturbating literally every day for like a few months.

Then at one point, I read something about harnessing your sexual energy (it might have been Think and Grow Rich), and I decided to stop masturbating.

I managed to go from masturbating every day to about 2 weeks straight without getting myself off, and surprisingly within those 2 weeks I had two different sexual encounters with two different women (one was sex, the other was some making out action). That was the most action I had had in months! So, I definitely believe in the increase in testosterone from not getting off. Women can probably sense your extra "manliness" (and increased energy) from it as well.

[RagsToRiches]

Originally Posted by ginkgo

So how do you turn off the testosterone production? It was done by Jesus Christ before He did any miracles. Moses did it before getting The Commandments from God and Mahatma (great soul) Gandhi did it. Fasting!

Testosterone is quite a positive chemical - especially if an enjoyable sex-life with attractive women is of any interest to you at all.

But each to their own.

If I was to want to "turn off" the production of a natural hormone I'd first look into coritsol.

[BlackBird23]

Happy to knwo someone else in this world is thinking the same way Im thinking...

Andrew, I know what you are feeling... I am addicted to masturbation + porn, and as I indulge in that, I feel a lowered self worth, will and motivation. I am a Taekwondo athlete, and when I don't masturbate for as long as about two days I can feel the benefits of greater vigour and energy when I train, and a greater sense of enjoyment whilst and after training.

I'm no wise guy guru/professor whatever, but I've come to the conclusion by my own observations that somehow that sexual energy can be 'transmitted' into other non-sexual activities.

Outside of sport, I feel more spiritual and inward looking, I mean, I already am a sort of deep kind of guy, but I feel masturbation sort of drains this out of me, or I become less enthusiatic about life from constant day-to-day masturbation.

I'm in the process of stopping masturbation in the hopes of aiding my training and life in general. I believe that from the time I learnt how to masturbate (age 12), my grades etc went on a downward slope, and even worst when I had access to internet porn. It saddens me really... Plus, all that time from masturbating/ actively seeking porn could have been spent doing something more constructive. The messed up thing I find about masturbating to porn is that I find I never want to orgasm quick, and so I search on and on for more like a gluton, whilst shaving hours off my day/life....

So I am on the path of abstinence, but I feel this is more for my athletic career than anything else, as that is where I feel the benefits more. I notice another benefit is that I become more (as a single person) 'tantilized' by the attractiveness of women, like more aware and impressed which I class as a benefit. Overlooked benefits may be more sleep, and therefore better energy levels, 'beauty sleep', and even weight regulation. I think all of these benefits can have be spiritual in ecssense. If you are living each day of your life drained, lazy and tired due to masturbatation then of course your sense of being will be lessened.

Don't rely on 'professional sources'... Find your own way too.

[Choice90]

I don't know if anyone is still reading this thread, but after thinking about this matter for quite a bit of time, I've realized that masturbation has been a thorn in my side for the past several years. As others have written, it has drained me and made me sleepy.

I'm not decrying it as evil. If it works for some people, then good for them.

But for me, it has been an energy drainer. Sometimes, I do it two or three times a day for no good reason. Since it does not take long for me, time taken to do it is not a concern. Ultimately, my goal is to become the best person I can be and controlling urges is part of the solution. I do not know whether complete abstention or reduced (once a week, for example) is a better solution.

When I have gone for a few days / week without masturbating, I've responded better in sports, felt more natural around people (I guess you can say I had my mojo during that time), needed less sleep (6 hours without masturbating versus 7 hours with masturbating in order to feel properly rested, if I had to guess), etc.

Regardless, I hope you found the answer you were looking for in the last year.

[NDN Scholar]

Originally Posted by Choice90

I don't know if anyone is still reading this thread, but after thinking about this matter for quite a bit of time, I've realized that masturbation has been a thorn in my side for the past several years. As others have written, it has drained me and made me sleepy.

I'm not decrying it as evil. If it works for some people, then good for them.

But for me, it has been an energy drainer. Sometimes, I do it two or three times a day for no good reason. Since it does not take long for me, time taken to do it is not a concern. Ultimately, my goal is to become the best person I can be and controlling urges is part of the solution. I do not know whether complete abstention or reduced (once a week, for example) is a better solution.

When I have gone for a few days / week without masturbating, I've responded better in sports, felt more natural around people (I guess you can say I had my mojo during that time), needed less sleep (6 hours without masturbating versus 7 hours with masturbating in order to feel properly rested, if I had to guess), etc.

Regardless, I hope you found the answer you were looking for in the last year.

Do you have wet dreams on the odd night, I wonder? Because if you don't discharge at all for extended periods of time, you're more vulnerable to prostate cancer...

[ThereAreNoSides]

In his book way of the superior man, David Deida talks about having sexual activites like sex and refraining from ejaculating, but gives no scientific justification for his advice; it's all a bit mystical.

Personally I think the "use it or lose it" philosophy is far more demonstrably reliable.

[neilpage]

Originally Posted by Curtis2011

Women can probably sense your extra "manliness" (and increased energy) from it as well.

I BELIEVE THIS TO BE AS TRUE.

Increased energy from male, makes woman want "manliness"...or at least i do!

[TaoPath]

I can vouch for the whole orgasm without ejaculating thing.

I looked into this a while back (as I tend to come early) and although I can’t do it so easily while lying on my back, while standing up I can have a 'body orgasm without coming. It feels great in a completely different way. This makes me usually feel like I’ve got more energy (+the testosterone) !

Taoist info recommends that the number of times men should ejaculate depends on their age range. I recall for people my age (20’s) we should do it every 4 days (the rest I can’t remember, sorry). The reason being that a build up is just as harmful as a waste of our 'life force'

I do find it very interesting the whole concept that we men lose our ‘essence’ when we ejaculate and that women apparently live longer because (among many other reasons) when they orgasm all their essence is kept ‘inside’. This is why women can go all night long (usually) unlike men who get tired and pass out after one or two sessions.

I will continue practicing this for the rest of my life as it will benefit me terms of health, vitality and longevity. Plus, which girl wouldn’t want a man who can please her unconditionally for 12 straight hours, while both of us never got tired or bored?

I would love more men to know about this, I told my male friends but they just laughed at me (their loss)

MEN CAN HAVE MULTIPLE-ORGASMS, FACT!

"The Multi-orgasmic Man: The Sexual Secrets That Every Man Should Know"

Look it up, try it out and live longer with more energy!

(FYI theres a female version as well)

[Choice90]

NDN:
Yes, I do get discharges every once in a while (after some crazy dreams)...

I am not a doctor so I can't vow for the whole prostate cancer bit...

[NDN Scholar]

Originally Posted by Choice90

I am not a doctor so I can't vow for the whole prostate cancer bit...

I remember reading some research about this a long time ago. I was a young teenager at the time, and it helped legitimize my activities.