Masturbation does not lower testosterone—it may even improve performance.

New research debunks the old myth that masturbation or orgasm reduces athletic performance or testosterone levels.

The belief that masturbation depletes athletic performance is rooted in antiquated ideas of masculinity. Spanish researchers recruited 21 men to engage in athletic testing, with or without pre-exercise masturbation.

Masturbating before exercise increased testosterone levels, heart rate, grip strength, and performance. This and other studies suggest that pre-exercise sexual activity is not harmful; it may even be beneficial.In 2023, celebrity influencer Jake Paul lost a boxing match to Tommy Fury and blamed his defeat on a nocturnal emission the night before the fight. He claimed that the wet dream had drained two weeks of “saved-upThis idea is not new. In the 1700s, Swiss physician Samuel Tissot argued that masturbation depleted the body of essential substances, making men weaker. Many cultures have echoed similar beliefs, often tying them to broader anxieties about masculinity and moral condemnation of masturbation.activity affects athletic performance, while others have shown that sex and orgasm are more likely to increase testosterone than decrease it. Now, a particularly well-designed laboratory study has taken a closer look at the issue.A group of Spanish researchers recruited 21 healthy male college athletes between the ages of 18 and 25. Participants were screened forAlthough 21 participants may seem like a small sample, the researchers used a careful within-subjects design, meaning each participant served as his own control. This approach allowed the researchers to achieve sufficient statistical power with as few as 18 participants.Participants refrained from sex and masturbation for seven days. In the lab, they watched a neutral video and then completed a series of exercise tasks and physiological tests, including blood sampling.Participants watched a standardized 15-minute pornographic video and masturbated to orgasm. They then viewed the same neutral video and completed the identical exercise and testing protocol.Importantly, there were no negative effects on physiological measures. Lactate accumulation—the chemical associated with muscle fatigue—did not increase. Participants did not report greater perceived exertion. Although heart rate was higher following masturbation, this did not impair performance. While the researchers did not claim that masturbation dramatically enhances athletic performance, they were clear on one point: It does not appear to reduce performance or physical capability, either.The researchers proposed that sexual activity before exercise may “prime” the body for physical performance. Masturbation and orgasm may increase physiological drive and motor Psychological factors may also play a role. Orgasm releases neurotransmitters such as endorphins and endocannabinoids, which can reduce pain perception and enhanceAlthough the study’s findings are limited to young, healthy male athletes, it represents the first rigorous laboratory investigation comparing physiological performance with and without pre-exercise sexual activity. The results directly contradict the longstanding myth that orgasm lowers testosterone or weakens men physically. The only remaining variable may be psychological belief. If an athlete strongly believes that sexual activity harms performance, that belief alone could create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Still, the science strongly indicates that masturbation does not drain testosterone, and it does not impair athletic performance. As research like this gainsFernández-Lázaro D, Garrosa M, Santamaría G, Roche E, Izquierdo JM, Seco-Calvo J, Mielgo-Ayuso J. Sexual activity before exercise influences physiological response and sports performance in high-level trained men athletes. Physiol Behav. 2026 Apr 1;307:115203. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115203. Epub 2025 Dec 11. PMID: 41390043.Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

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