No Nut November: Needed? Or Just Nuts?

#NNN, #StayStrong, #FallenSoldier, #3weeksleft. These are all hashtags that gain serious amounts of traction every year during the month of November. November might be a month of pumpkin spice lattes and jumping in piles of leaves for some, but for others, participating in the “No Nut November (NNN)” challenge, November is a month of discomfort, distress, shame - or potentially empowerment. No Nut November is a mainstream Internet challenge that originated back in 2011 and has since gained popularity on Reddit and Twitter (Manavis, 2018). Those who take the challenge vow to try to go the entire month of November without orgasming and/or ejaculating - especially as a result of masturbation. While abstinence can be a healthy and positive choice that many people may make based on religious or moral prohibitions, the roots of this specific challenge are based in misinformation, stigma, and misogyny. This blog examines these motivations and beliefs that underlie NNN, as well as the evidence for and against participating. I will also delve into the larger impacts and implications of this challenge, and explain why it is one that should be #cancelled and put to rest.

Why Are People Participating in NNN?

The majority of people engaging in this challenge are penis-owners, and there are a variety of reasons they might participate (Manavis, 2018). Original motives for this challenge were allegedly based on a now retracted 2003 study that claimed that men who abstained from masturbation saw spikes in their testosterone levels after 7 days of abstinence (Jiang et al., 2003). Just to be clear: this claim is utterly false. However, this false claim gained traction and became the foundation of the NNN movement, and NNN has since been layered with shame-inducing and misogynistic beliefs that masturbating is for “beta-males” – men who have no “luck” with women or do not conform to “traditional ideas of masculinity” (Manavis, 2018). Other reasons given for participating are preventing sexual dysfunction and developing a sense of community with other participants (Mendelson, 2022).

The Problematic Narrative Behind NNN & Anti-Masturbation

Stigma surrounding masturbation is in no way nuanced or new. We’ve seen this since at least the 18th century with the publication of several books - some published by anonymous authors, others by well-known medical doctors - which shamed people who masturbated and warned them against the “dangers” of masturbating, without empirical evidence to back up these claims (Laqueur, 2004). Since then, there have been countless movements to unlearn this misinformation, but unfortunately, many still perpetuate these harmful ideals. In the context of NNN, many hold ideals that “real men” or “Alpha males” do not masturbate, and that those who do are “beta men,” or weak, docile, and unable to have sex with a woman (Burnett, 2022).

What does any of this have to do with being a “real man,” and what does that even mean? Not all men have penises, and not everyone with a penis is a man. Not every penis-owner wants to have sex with a woman or wants to have sex at all - and we should not be pushing a narrative that says they are wrong for it. In addition to this, these narratives reduce women to devices meant for the sexual pleasure of men and perpetuate the notion that sex is something done to women, and not with them. It ignores the sexual agency of women and acts as if they are not autonomous beings, capable of making the decision to have sex for themselves.

Attempting to increase testosterone levels through semen retention, to grow facial hair, deepen one’s voice, be more aggressive and controlling, and become more “masculine” (all false associations!!) spreads a violent narrative about masculinity and what it means to be a man (Burnett, 2022). These narratives are inherently homophobic, transphobic, and misogynistic. The communities that are built around these principles are not safe or healthy, yet they are actively instilling these beliefs in people as young as 13 years old by shaming those who do masturbate and praising those who are “strong enough” to abstain (Manavis, 2018).

Are There Clinical Benefits to Abstaining? Spoiler Alert - Not Really

The study claiming that refraining from ejaculation spikes testosterone levels has now been retracted, and its findings have not stood the ultimate test of being replicated. However, since then, several studies have been done that demonstrate that the general trend is that testosterone levels increase following sexual activity, implying that abstaining from sexual activity might actually be counterproductive if the goal is increased testosterone (Lehmiller, 2020). In addition, if one is concerned about masturbation being associated with erection problems, note that research has not found any consistent relationship between masturbation frequency and erectile dysfunction (Rowland et al., 2022). Things that people should be worried about in terms of risk factors for erectile dysfunction are slightly more complicated things like medical issues affecting sexual response and diminished sexual interest (Rowland et al., 2022). So, by abstaining from masturbation, you’re not preventing any negative health outcomes, and you’re not going to see a lot of clinical benefits either - you might actually be missing out on some.

Benefits of Masturbation

Clinically, masturbation and orgasm have several benefits, which have been proven time and time again in research-grounded studies. Endorphins are released in your brain upon orgasm, which are hormones that reduce the perception of pain and increase feelings of pleasure and well-being (Mendelson, 2022). This is why masturbation is often used by people to fall asleep, temporarily relieve anxiety and stress, and increase general and overall feelings of happiness (Mendelson, 2022). Masturbation has also been found very successful as a means of temporary pain relief; studies have shown it can reduce headache pain through endorphin release and the activation of pain-inhibiting pathways in the brain (Gotkine et al., 2006). Recent studies have even shown that the pain-relieving properties of masturbation have been useful in easing the pain from childbirth (Mayberry & Daniel, 2015). In studies conducted in men, masturbation has also been found to improve the overall health and functioning of the immune system and reduce the risk of prostate cancer (Levin, 2007; Mendelson, 2022). There are many non-clinical benefits as well! Masturbation is a way to explore, understand, and become comfortable with your body, and it has been linked to higher self esteem (Planned Parenthood, 2022). As a result of tuning in to your own likes and dislikes, people who masturbate tend to have an easier time becoming aroused and reaching orgasm; it may also boost their sexual satisfaction from partnered sex (Mendelson, 2022).

To Nut or Not to Nut?

Ultimately, masturbating, orgasm, and ejaculation are healthy behaviours that come with minimal risk and lots of benefits. Abstaining from masturbation has no proven benefits, although the choice is still available for those who wish to refrain. But that choice should be made using accurate information, and not misogynistic and harmful principles.

Why should this matter to you? Shaming people for healthy and natural sexual behaviours behind a guise of “holding them accountable” to toxic ideals of masculinity can be harmful for some. The idea of an entire month spent intentionally refraining from something you likely enjoy and might benefit from, not because you want to, but because you are being pressured and shamed with misinformation and stigma, should not be something normalized or encouraged - even as a joke or challenge. Therefore, we must challenge our existing beliefs and the narratives being fed to us by those who do not have our best interests at heart. Perhaps it is time to #cancel this challenge and say no to No Nut November.

Participate in our study on No Nut November

Melody Garas, 4th year BAH Psychology, Queen's University 

References

Burnett, S. (2022). The battle for “nofap”: Myths, masculinity, and the meaning of masturbation abstention. Men and Masculinities, 25(3), 477-496. https://doi.org/10.1177/1097184X211018256

Gotkine, M., Steiner, I., & Biran, I. (2006). Now dear, I have a headache! immediate improvement of cluster headaches after sexual activity. Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1136%2Fjnnp.2006.092643

Jiang, M., Jiang, X., Zou, Q., & Shen, J.-wen. (2003). RETRACTED ARTICLE: A research on the relationship between ejaculation and serum testosterone level in men - Journal of Zhejiang University-Science A. SpringerLink. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1631/jzus.2003.0236#citeas.

Laqueur, T. W. (2004). Solitary Sex: A cultural history of masturbation. Zone Books.

Lehmiller, J. (2021). Can abstaining from masturbation increase testosterone? Sex and Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.sexandpsychology.com/blog/2020/1/24/can-abstaining-from-masturbation-increase-testosterone/

Levin, R. J. (2007). Sexual activity, health and well-being – the beneficial roles of coitus and masturbation. Journal of Sexual and Relationship Therapy. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14681990601149197

Manavis, S. (2018). No nut november: The insidious internet challenge encouraging men not to masturbate. The New Statesman UK. Retrieved from https://www.newstatesman.com/science-tech/2018/11/no-nut-november-insidious-internet-challenge-encouraging-men-not.

Mayberry L, Daniel J. (2015). 'Birthgasm': A Literary Review of Orgasm as an Alternative Mode of Pain Relief in Childbirth. Journal of Holistic Nursing. doi: 10.1177/0898010115614205.

Mendelson, E. (2022). Say "no" to No Nut November: The health benefits of masturbation. Sex and Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.sexandpsychology.com/blog/2022/11/9/say-no-to-no-nut-november-the-health-benefits-of-masturbation/

Planned Parenthood. (2022). Is masturbation healthy? Planned Parenthood. Retrieved from https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sex-pleasure-and-sexual-dysfunction/masturbation/masturbation-healthy

Rowland, D. L., Castleman, J. M., Bacys, K. R., Csonka, B., & Hevesi, K. (2022). Do pornography use and masturbation play a role in erectile dysfunction and relationship satisfaction in men? International Journal of Impotence Research. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41443-022-00596-y