The neurophysiology of ejaculation: possible adverse effects?

Question

I am a 21 year old male who has been masturbating frequently for the past eight years. On average, I would say I masturbate about twice a day, every day. By the time I was fifteen or sixteen I started noticing some strange physical symptoms that seemed to only occur after ejaculation: excessive fatigue, mild headaches, slightly blurred vision, and general malaise. All of these symptoms last for hours, usually until the next day.

These "symptoms" have persisted all these years, and have hindered my professional, academic, and love life considerably, as I cannot concentrate and usually feel hazy and fatigued.

A friend of mine (medical student) commented that even though the vast majority of people agree that excessive masturbation (or ejaculation, for that matter) has no ill physical effects, it actually is possible for excessive ejaculation to lead to some sort of mental imbalance as a result of serotonin depletion.

I am very concerned and would like some more information on this.

Answer 1

It's pretty complicated and even if I had the expertise to write it down properly, there wouldn't be room here. Suffice to say, you're probably messing up more than just your seratonin. Probably upsetting the norepinephrine and dopamine as well. The cure is simple. Stop jacking off for awhile. You're probably going to end up becoming depressed (if you aren't already). You can restore proper neurotransmitter balance simply by eating right, exercising, and adding a few supplements to your daily routine, like 5-HTP, American ginseng, ginkgo biloba, omega 3 (fish oil), and a good vitamin B complex. Oh, and you might want to look into why you feel the need to pleasure yourself so often. While I don't think the actual ejaculation is causing the problem, whatever is causing you to want to... is. There are plenty of other leisure activities in life that are far better for you than wearing your dick out.

Answer 2

When too much water enters the body's cells, the tissues swell with the excess fluid. Your cells maintain a specific concentration gradient, so excess water outside the cells (the serum) draws sodium from within the cells out into the serum in an attempt to re-establish the necessary concentration. As more water accumulates, the serum sodium concentration drops -- a condition known as hyponatremia. The other way cells try to regain the electrolyte balance is for water outside the cells to rush into the cells via osmosis. The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from higher to lower concentration is called osmosis. Although electrolytes are more concentrated inside the cells than outside, the water outside the cells is 'more concentrated' or 'less dilute' since it contains fewer electrolytes. Both electrolytes and water move across the cell membrane in an effort to balance concentration. Theoretically, cells could swell to the point of bursting. From the cell's point of view, water intoxication produces the same effects as would result from drowning in fresh water. Electrolyte imbalance and tissue swelling can cause an irregular heartbeat, allow fluid to enter the lungs, and may cause fluttering eyelids. Swelling puts pressure on the brain and nerves, which can cause behaviors resembling alcohol intoxication. Swelling of brain tissues can cause seizures, coma and ultimately death unless water intake is restricted and a hypertonic saline (salt) solution is administered. If treatment is given before tissue swelling causes too much cellular damage, then a complete recovery can be expected within a few days. The kidneys of a healthy adult can process fifteen liters of water a day! You are unlikely to suffer from water intoxication, even if you drink a lot of water, as long as you drink over time as opposed to intaking an enormous volume at one time. As a general guideline, most adults need about three quarts of fluid each day. Much of that water comes from food, so 8-12 eight ounce glasses a day is a common recommended intake. You may need more water if the weather is very warm or very dry, if you are exercising, or if you are taking certain medications. The bottom line is this: it's possible to drink too much water, but unless you are running a marathon or an infant, water intoxication is a very uncommon condition.