Does Masturbation Lower Blood Pressure?
Masturbation can be a sensitive topic. While some people firmly believe that it is harmful, others swear by its benefits. The truth is that masturbation is a regular part of human sexuality. It can even have some benefits for your health, including lowering blood pressure. This guide will explore if masturbation can lower blood pressure, especially when compared to the effects of porn on sexual health.
For some people, quitting porn is an effective way to reduce the adverse effects of excessive masturbation on sexual health. The benefits of quitting porn can help reduce anxiety, boost mood, and improve sexual functioning. This can help improve your sexual health and performance, especially if you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction or other issues related to excessive porn use. Quittr quit porn app can help. This online program will teach you how to quit porn to reap the many rewards of Semen Retention Power.
Table of Contents
What Happens to Blood Pressure During and After Masturbation?
Join Our 28-day Challenge & Quit Porn Forever with the #1 Science-based Way To Quit Porn
What Happens to Blood Pressure During and After Masturbation?
Masturbation causes fundamental, measurable changes in your nervous system, especially in how your body manages arousal, heart rate, and blood pressure. Let’s break it down into two phases:
During Masturbation: Blood Pressure Rises Temporarily
Sexual stimulation activates the sympathetic nervous system (your body's "fight or flight" response). This leads to a temporary spike in blood pressure, characterized by an increased heart rate, similar to that experienced during light cardio or physical exertion. A surge in adrenaline and dopamine heightens alertness and arousal. This is normal and happens whether you're alone or with a partner. The increase is usually harmless unless you already have severe cardiovascular issues.
At Orgasm: Peak Blood Pressure & Sudden Shift
Right before and during orgasm, blood pressure peaks. You may also experience muscle tension. Increased respiratory rate. Skin flushing and dilation of pupils. This “fight or flight” activity reaches its climax, then drops rapidly.
After Ejaculation: Blood Pressure Drops (Calm Mode)
Once you ejaculate, the parasympathetic nervous system takes over (the “rest and digest” mode). This leads to a Decrease in blood pressure. Slower heart rate. A feeling of drowsiness, calm, or even sleepiness. This shift is triggered by oxytocin, the bonding hormone that also reduces stress.
Prolactin
Released after orgasm, it helps downregulate arousal and contributes to post-ejaculatory fatigue.
Endorphins
Natural painkillers and mood boosters. This post-orgasm relaxation effect is one reason many people feel less anxious or more at peace after masturbation, but the effect is short-lived.
What Science Says
A 2006 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine confirmed that masturbation increases systolic and diastolic blood pressure temporarily, but drops sharply after orgasm. A 2021 research summary on sexual activity and cardiovascular responses also noted, “Post-orgasmic hypotension (lower blood pressure) is a well-documented effect in healthy individuals.” So yes, masturbation can temporarily raise blood pressure during arousal, but it will typically lower it afterward.
Important Clarification
This doesn’t mean masturbation is a cure for high blood pressure. The drop in BP is temporary and minor. If you have hypertension, don’t rely on masturbation for control; stick to lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and medication if needed.
Related Reading
Does Masturbation Lower Blood Pressure
Benefits of Stopping Masturbation
Benefits of Abstinence
Does Masturbation Reduce Blood Pressure?
Masturbation and Short-Term Blood Pressure Changes
Masturbation can lower blood pressure for a short period after ejaculation. After the climax, the body enters a parasympathetic state. This “rest and digest” phase relaxes blood vessels, slows the heart rate, and triggers a mild drop in blood pressure. This calming effect is attributed to the release of hormones, particularly oxytocin, prolactin, and endorphins. These hormonal changes create a relaxed, drowsy feeling and may lower blood pressure for 15 to 30 minutes after orgasm.
Does Masturbation Lower Blood Pressure Long-Term?
No. There is no scientific evidence that masturbation can lower your blood pressure in a lasting or therapeutic way. Masturbation is not associated with changes in blood pressure in healthy individuals. But it’s also not a treatment for chronic hypertension (high blood pressure). Using masturbation as a stress reliever might offer emotional comfort. But relying on it too often can backfire. It can delay fundamental stress management skills, become habitual or compulsive, especially with porn use, and may interfere with emotional resilience or deeper intimacy needs.
What Experts and Research Say
A 2006 Journal of Sexual Medicine study found blood pressure spikes during arousal and orgasm, followed by a modest drop post-ejaculation. A 2021 literature review on sexual activity and cardiovascular health emphasized that “The hypotensive effect of orgasm is transient and not recommended as a therapeutic strategy for blood pressure management.” So while masturbation might offer temporary calm, it’s not a solution for heart health or anxiety in the clinical sense.
The Risk of Misinformation
Many social media claims suggest that “Masturbation lowers blood pressure and helps anxiety so it must be good for you daily.” That’s misleading. Frequent masturbation, especially with porn, can cause dopamine imbalances, increased emotional fatigue, and lowered motivation. This can exacerbate stress, which in turn raises blood pressure over time.
What to Do Instead
If you’re looking to manage blood pressure and mental clarity naturally, use Quittr to track urges, build discipline, and stop compulsive habits. Replace daily fapping with meditation, cold showers, cardio exercise, and sleep optimization. These habits help regulate cortisol and improve cardiovascular health in the long term, without the emotional crash.
Join Our 28-day Challenge & Quit Porn Forever with the #1 Science-based Way To Quit Porn
QUITTR is a science-based and actionable way to quit porn forever. Our app combines practical tools with supportive features, including an AI-powered support system, community leaderboards, meditation exercises, and progress tracking. We've included essential features such as a content blocker, streak tracker, AI Therapist, recovery journal, leaderboard, meditation games, lessons, educational content, relaxing sounds, side-effect awareness, life tree features, and more! Whether you're seeking support, education, or practical tools to quit porn forever, Quittr offers a private, understanding space to work toward your personal goals. Try the #1 science-based way to stop porn by joining our 28-day challenge to compete with other people for the longest streak.
Related Reading
Can Guys Control Their Urges
No Nut November Rules
Is Masturbation Good for Blood Pressure?
Masturbation and Blood Pressure: What Happens When You Masturbate?
Masturbation can create a quick and temporary change in your blood pressure. During arousal, blood pressure and heart rate increase. After orgasm, blood pressure can decrease as the body releases feel-good hormones like oxytocin and prolactin. This brief calming effect can help reduce stress, but it does not indicate sustained cardiovascular health. Over time, using masturbation to cope with stress can create a cycle that harms emotional regulation and blood pressure.
Why Over-Masturbation May Harm Cardiovascular Health
Masturbation can become a compulsive behavior, especially when tied to pornography. Instead of addressing the root causes of stress, you train your body to rely on instant gratification. This leads to dopamine dysregulation, which negatively impacts emotional resilience and cardiovascular health. Over time, you may experience increased baseline stress, poor sleep, energy crashes, and social withdrawal, all of which can harm heart health.
So What’s the Real Solution?
If you want to genuinely lower your blood pressure, boost your energy, and reclaim your emotional control, you need to rewire your habits from the ground up. That’s where Quittr comes in. Quittr is a powerful self-discipline and habit tracker built to help you:
Track your relapses and urges in real time.
Stay mindful of your triggers.
Commit to streaks (7 days, 30 days, 90 days)
Replace porn and masturbation with high-performance habits like journaling, cold showers, or meditation. Get daily motivation and a visual reminder of your progress. This isn’t just about quitting porn. It’s about creating a life rooted in intentionality, not impulse. When you stop numbing your stress with dopamine spikes and start building real discipline, your nervous system begins to stabilize. Your energy, mood, sleep, and blood pressure all benefit.
Join Our 28-day Challenge & Quit Porn Forever with the #1 Science-based Way To Quit Porn
We live in a pornified world. Porn is everywhere, and it’s getting harder to avoid. As a result, more people are struggling with unwanted porn use. If you find yourself in this category, you’re not alone. Research suggests that anywhere from 3 to 6 percent of people have problematic sexual behavior, and studies show that porn use has increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even more concerning, some evidence suggests that one in four porn users may be dependent on this behavior, exhibiting symptoms similar to those of substance use disorders. Quitting porn can be a challenge, but it’s easier when you have a plan.
QUITTR is a science-based and actionable way to quit porn forever. Our app combines practical tools with supportive features, including an AI-powered support system, community leaderboards, meditation exercises, and progress tracking. We've included essential features such as a content blocker, streak tracker, AI Therapist, recovery journal, leaderboard, meditation games, lessons, educational content, relaxing sounds, side-effect awareness, life tree features, and more! Whether you're seeking support, education, or practical tools to quit porn forever, Quittr offers a private, understanding space to work toward your personal goals. Try the #1 science-based way to stop porn by joining our 28-day challenge to compete with other people for the longest streak.
Related Reading
Not Ejaculating for 7 Days Benefits
What Are the Disadvantages of Releasing Sperm Daily by Hand
How to Win NNN
Does Ejaculating Multiple Times Reduce Sperm Count
No Fap Blue Balls
Does Sperm Retention Increase Muscle Growth
PMO Addiction
How to Block Adult Websites on Google Chrome
