The Myth & The Reality Behind it
Masturbation has long been associated with a range of salacious myths about its effects on a man’s virility, attractiveness and even his facial hair. The idea that regular self-pleasure might send hormones into overdrive and thicken the growth beneath a man’s chin has persisted for generations. In the modern day, this belief seems to have become even more deeply entrenched – but is there any evidence to back it up?
Masturbation has a long and varied history, and it’s no surprise that men have latched onto whatever potential benefits it might offer. After all, many old wives’ tales suggest that something as simple as regular masturbation can impart massive gains in terms of sexual prowess and even virile good looks – so how does this notion of beard growth fit into those various accounts?
Interestingly, there has been some scientific study into this particular aspect of masturbation, with a French study from 2016 showing that self-pleasuring increases the volume of sex hormones in the body – including testosterone, which is widely accepted as a major contributor to facial hair growth. As a result, it seems that groups of men who masturbate regularly are likely to have more facial hair than their less inclined counterparts.
It should also be noted, however, that these findings don’t automatically make masturbation a surefire winner in terms of hair growth. It’s important to remember that facial hair growth is reliant on a whole range of other factors too, such as diet, genetics and overall health.
In other words, a man’s propensity to masturbate may make a difference, but it’s unlikely to be the deciding factor – or indeed to override some of those other rankings. To put it simply, if a man has a genetic disposition against facial hair growth, then masturbating more won’t make up for that naturally-occurring deficit.
So, while there’s certainly an argument that regular self-pleasure could very well play a role in determining facial hair growth, it’s not the be-all and end-all. As a result, it’s important to approach the concept of masturbation’s link to beard growth with a degree of caution and skepticism.
The Pros & Cons of Masturbation
Since masturbation has long been seen as a somewhat taboo topic, understanding the pros and cons of pleasure can seem daunting to many. It’s important to remember that it’s a safe and often-enjoyable activity and one which can, ultimately, be beneficial in many ways. Here are just a few of the potential pros associated with masturbation:
- Masturbation is an excellent way to explore sexual pleasure and discover what feels good for you.
- It can provide an outlet for needed stress relief and a way to relax and relieve tension.
- It allows people to satisfy their sexual urges, without needing to put themselves in potentially risky situations.
- It helps promote better sleep and sexual health, which in turn can boost overall wellness.
But as with anything else in life, there can often be some downsides as well. It’s important to be aware of these before embarking on a regular routine of self-pleasure. Here are just a few potential cons to keep in mind:
- Regular and/or excessive masturbation can lead to decreased sexual satisfaction and eventually frustration.
- It can create feelings of guilt and shame that can affect a person’s self-esteem.
- It can cause a lack of inspiration for sex, leading to unfulfilling sexual relationships.
- It can lead to physical problems such as muscle cramps and soreness, as well as skin chafing.
The Role of Testosterone
The role of testosterone in beard growth deserves a closer look, as it’s a hormone which has often been linked to a number of different aspects of male physiology, such as facial and body hair growth, muscle strength and even sexual potency. So, just how important is it in all of this?
Simply put, testosterone is a vital player when it comes to beard growth. As previously mentioned, regular masturbation can cause a rise in this hormone, and this can in turn help to ensure that the body is receiving the necessary testosterone needed to power facial hair development.
To sum up, it’s fair to say that masturbation is likely to play a role in the development of facial hair – but it’s important to remember that it’s just one key factor in the equation. Other things, like diet and genetics, are also essential to bear in mind – and if these are lacking, then masturbation won’t be enough to override them.
Masturbation & Psychological Effects
When thinking about the effects of frequent self-pleasure, it’s important to be aware of some of the psychological implications as well. While masturbation can provide an avenue for relaxation and stress relief, regular and/or excessive self-pleasure can also lead to feelings of guilt, as well as a lack of inspiration for sex within relationships.
From a psychological perspective, frequent and unrestrained self-stimulation can lead to a higher concentration of hormones – hormones which can make it more difficult to focus on ‘real’ sex with a partner. In other words, people who enjoy sex with a partner less because of their own regular self-pleasure may find themselves in an unenviable catch 22: unable to maintain their own sexual drive, but too preoccupied with their own pleasure to focus on a partner’s.
It’s also important to remember that different people can have very different responses to self-pleasure – something which should be taken into account when trying to assess the role it plays in their life. There’s certainly no one-size-fits-all approach here, and each person should think carefully about their own unique motivations and reactions before making any decisions.
Masturbation & Social Pressures
It’s also worth considering the social pressures that can come with frequent masturbation, especially in today’s highly-digitised world. It’s very easy for people to feel the need to keep up with the latest trends in self-pleasure, which might include the use of certain pornography – and this can lead to an increased perception of social pressure when it comes to looking a certain way in order to attract the attention of potential partners.
Social media in particular can act as both a tool for enlightenment and for pressure, with seemingly effortless images of perfect bodies and idealised sexual acts proclaiming what one ‘should’ be doing to please a partner, or even to perfectly construct one’s own self-pleasure sessions. This can be very damaging, particularly when people begin to feel the pressure to mimic the ‘perfect’ approach.
The good news is that, by having a good understanding of social pressure and taking steps to manage it, it is possible to enjoy masturbation on one’s own terms free from judgment. And, by understanding the implications of social pressure, an individual can better protect themselves against any potential harm that others may unwittingly be causing.
Finding the Balance
It’s important to remember that, while masturbation can have both positive and negative aspects, it’s ultimately a personal choice and one that should be respected no matter the individual’s status in society. As such, it’s vital to maintain a healthy balance between the needs of oneself on the one hand, and relationships and commitments on the other – if something is causing harm, then it’s important to address the issue in order to ensure a healthy outcome.
At the same time, it’s important to remember that the potential positive effects of masturbation can be far-reaching. Studies have regularly shown that regular self-pleasure can help to counteract many of the stresses of everyday life and help to promote better overall mental and physical health. What’s more, it’s been suggested that it can even encourage better sleep patterns and help to boost sexual appetite in both the individual and in relationships as a whole.
In conclusion, it’s clear that there is no one ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to approach masturbation – and the decision to masturbate or not is one that must be made on an individual basis. So, if the notion of masturbation has been intriguing you, then make sure to take the time to assess all of the pros and cons before deciding whether or not it’s right for you.
What Do the Experts Say?
The scientific findings on masturbation and its effects on beard growth are somewhat varied, with different studies offering different opinions on the matter. While the French study mentioned earlier suggests that facial hair growth is more likely in men who masturbate, other studies have suggested that its actual results may be somewhat inconsequential. Ultimately, it’s likely to come down to individual genetics and lifestyle choices – rather than anything that masturbation can do to a man’s beard growth. This means that any benefits of self-pleasure are likely to be highly subjective.
It’s important to keep in mind that the science behind masturbation’s effects on facial hair growth is still relatively sketchy. While it does suggest that masturbation could potentially be a factor in beard growth, the most important determinant of that growth is a man’s general health and well-being, as well as his genetic makeup. So, in the end, it’s important to approach any claims about masturbation’s power with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Masturbation has long been an important part of human life – and while there may be some potential benefits to self-pleasure, it’s important to remember that it’s just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to overall health and wellbeing. As such, any decisions about self-pleasure should be made with careful consideration – and with an understanding that any potential consequences should be taken seriously and factored into the decision-making process.
