According to Statistic Brain, 95 % percent of men admit that they masturbate regularly, ( 89 % for women).

To be more precise, there is approximately 797,000 of Americans masturbating at any given time.

The point is lots of people masturbate, but with rumors that it's unhealthy, can cause blindness, and even infertility masturbation is about as taboo as a topic can get, even other animals have been observed practicing self-pleasure, but 'surprisingly' none of them do it to quite the same extent as us.

So What is masturbation?

Masturbation based on the Latin verb masturbari is the sexual stimulation of one's own genitals to achieve sexual arousal and pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm, commonly done by touching and stroking the penis, masturbation may also involve hands/fingers, sex toys such as vibrators and even everyday objects.

Even tho religions vary in their views of masturbation, the Western world considers masturbation as a normal and healthy part of sexual enjoyment.

Why we masturbate?

Masturbation is here for a reason, it's a good way of relieving the sexual tension/urge "instantly" that builds up over time, especially for "single" people or whose partners are not available for sex. It also feels very good.

Sex is really important for life to continue, that's why its an 'almost' uncontrollable human need. others might use masturbation as a way to escape from aids and other sexually transmitted diseases. When I was a teenager, masturbation felt like a way to resolve certain kinds of curiosity about my body, a way to "explore".

Masturbation is fun, relaxing and a stress 'buster' a way to remain sexually active without a partner.

How does it work?

The brain is a large network of neurons connected to each other via axons and dendrites.The information is passed through electrical and chemical signals. These signals between neurons occur via specialized connections called synapses where Neurotransmitters(such as Dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin...) are released.They have specific receptors that can be upregulated thus creating more effect or down-regulated.

These molecules are the main key to desire, emotions, mood and habit building.In order to function properly, the brain needs adjusted levels and any imbalance creates unwanted results.

On one hand, real sex and masturbation almost have a similar effect on the brain.On the other hand, overmasturbating can be very harmful to the brain. 

The neurochemical rush triggered by visual images can turn masturbation into a convenient drug of choice for pleasure and an escape from life problems, loneliness, boredom etc... Over time, the brain's plasticity takes action and the behavioral habit become chemical dependency addiction.

Pros:

-Masturbation strengthens the muscles of the perineum and prevents a possible erectile dysfunction.

-An instant feeling of pleasure.

-Relieve sexual tension when you feel horny.

-Decreases cases of Sexual harassment.

-Release endorphins, therefore, less pain.

-falling asleep more easily

Cons of masturbation:

-Interference with a healthy relationship or a healthy marriage.

-Isolation and higher risk of depression

-Low self-esteem and negative thoughts.

-An overproduction of sex hormones and neurotransmitters which stimulates parasympathetic nervous functions. Possible bodily side  effects can be fatigue, hair loss,blurred vision, and groin pain. 

-Drained acetylcholine levels and replacing it with too much stress adrenalin which is where memory loss, lack of concentration,  and crazy eye movements come from.

-Over time impotence or erectile dysfunction are more likely to happen

Conclusion: Any excess of something alters the natural balance of the body.Although masturbation is a perfectly normal and safe sexual behavior for both men and women at a specific period of their life , overmasturbation and porn are very harmful habits you should avoid. 

References :   

https://reclaimsexualhealth.com/Masturbation/masturbation-and-addiction.html

https://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/consequences-of-over-masturbation

http://www.health.com/sex/8-ways-sex-affects-your-brain#sex-is-like-a-drug

https://www.statisticbrain.com/masturbation-statistics

Picture Credit:
1) https://pixabay.com/fr/homme-nue-sexy-m%C3%A2le-italie-1671985/

2) https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_synapse#/media/File:Synapse_Illustration2_tweaked.svg

3) http://www.awaremed.com/male-gender-orgasm-and-sexual-arousal/

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