by DANIEL KELLY
‘Testosterone in men does indeed have profound effects on mood, being demonstrated to improve depression, happiness, and motivation’
Nofap is a growing online movement devoted to giving up masturbation and even sex for extended periods – typically around 90 days. Starting as a spin-off from a 2011 thread on Reddit, the organization NoFap.com describes itself as a community-centered sexual health platform, designed to help people overcome porn addiction and compulsive sexual behavior.
The claimed benefits, however, have now extended the reach of nofap beyond the realms of porn addiction recovery and into mainstream health and lifestyle initiatives. Advocates of nofap are heralding an array of sexual, physical, and mental improvements – including increased testosterone levels. But is there any evidence to back this up?
There are many movements that are similar to nofap, such as semen retention, and they all appear to be predominantly aimed at and practiced by straight men, with only smaller pockets of women and LGBTQ+ people participating. It has also been taken up by certain far-right and misogynist groups, such as Proud Boys.
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