As we enter the second half of November, there are men up and down the country who will undoubtedly be feeling a little frustrated right now.
Not because their footy team just lost again or because it's still six weeks to go until Christmas, but because of a little challenge called No Nut November (NNN).
The trend that challenges people, predominantly men, to give up masturbation for the entirety of November, 30 whole days.
Why, you might ask... Well, what started off as a meme, became a reason for people to test their willpower, control and self-discipline, according to people who participate, with many claiming a wide variety of health benefits.
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People have cited lower stress and anxiety levels, better concentration and stamina, greater muscle development and even higher sperm quality, among the benefits of taking part in NNN.
But while all these anecdotal side effects are brilliant for the people who are experiencing them, are they actually rooted in science?
The simple answer is: not really, according to Dr Chrystal Wyllie, from ZAVA. That's not to take away from people's lived experiences, however it could be more to do with the psychological impact of NNN than the physical.
“While the enthusiasm behind ‘No Nut November’ highlights the focus on self-control and discipline, most of the health claims made by the ‘NNN community’ aren’t strongly supported by scientific evidence," Dr Crystal told LADbible.
"Although, as a result of the challenge, some participants report feeling more energetic, focused, and confident, it’s most likely the psychological effect linked to setting goals and sticking to them.
"When you consciously restrict a habit and commit to a challenge, it can boost your dopamine reward system in positive ways, improving mood and concentration."
One claim is that abstaining from masturbation can result in greater muscle development and increased testosterone levels, however Dr Chrystal said there's no evidence of there being any impact on muscle growth and any effect on testosterone is fleeting.
"Testosterone levels may show very small, temporary fluctuations after short periods of abstinence, but they quickly return to baseline," she said.
"This was demonstrated in a study that saw a 45 percent increase in testosterone levels after seven days of abstinence, but proved to be a temporary peak as they returned to the same levels as before, even with continued abstinence."
In terms of supporting sperm quality, NNN could actually be having the opposite effect as 'regular ejaculation is not known to be harmful to sperm quality and can actually help maintain healthy sperm turnover, as well as prevent oxidative damage to older sperm.'
Dr Crystal added: "According to fertility experts, frequent ejaculation, especially every 1 to 2 days, helps keep sperm fresh, improves motility, and maintains DNA integrity.”
Topics: Health
Emma Rosemurgey