Good Morning Onjenoos,
I recall in a previous blog that I would write one more article before the year ends. So true to my word here it is. I decided to highlight that ever so taboo, yet pleasurable and exciting thing we call masturbation. Sit back, grab some bean juice (aka coffee), and happy reading. Xoxo, Zoey.

TO MASTURBATE OR NOT TO MASTURBATE
So what is the big deal if one wants to rub one out? Actually, it is a big deal. So much so that Chuck Berry, The Divinyls, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, The Who, Thomas Dolby, Berlin, The Buzzcocks (no surprise there), Tori Amos and many other musicians wrote songs about it. Plus, it is the focus of one of the world’s great artistic masterpieces, Salvador Dali’s “El Gran Masturbador” (Spanish for the great masturbator). The act of self-pleasure is a fascinating and complex topic that affects each of us differently.

Despite the almost universal agreement by medical doctors that masturbation is normal, common and safe, it is still associated with embarrassment, shame and guilt primarily because of social perceptions of the act and religion. Yet masturbation is a natural function that is practiced by individuals of all sexual orientations, gender and ages.

Now I am not here to lecture on why you should or shouldn’t rub one out when the urge takes over. Plus, those who know me know where I stand on this issue. I am also not here to discuss the religious or historical viewpoints of masturbation. I’ll save that for another post. I am merely here as a messenger of information, great stimulating information .

Let’s start with the myths of masturbation.

“Masturbation is for losers who can’t get laid.”
So not true, many sexuality experts, including this sexpert, say that people who masturbate tend to function better sexually when with a partner since they know their own body and have fulfilled sexual expression.

“I don’t masturbate because I will go blind or get acne or get hairy palm.”
None of these have any basis in truth.

“Married folks or people in relationships just don’t masturbate.”
Wrong again. Many couples masturbate mutually. It’s a great thing.

“Masturbation will stunt my growth.”
Ding. Wrong again. If you’re vertically challenged check out your parents.

“If I masturbate I’ll never have kids.”
This is just not true. Who wrote this? Masturbation will not have any impact on the quantity or quality of your semen. If you end up with one stupid kid, don’t blame the ‘stranger’ (thanks Dave Chappelle) blame genetics.

“Can masturbation hurt me?”
No, not really. However, if you feel sore from masturbating too much, than that is too much for you. Stop and let your body heal. Getting irritated skin is not uncommon so don’t get your knickers all in a twist, just use plenty of water soluble lubrication next time. Onjenoo will have a line of lubrications, including water-based and silicone when it launches its online department store in the Spring of 2008. In the meantime, remember to lubricate, guys. You too, gals especially when you are about to have a little playtime with your favorite toy.

Something else to consider. If you find that you are spending a lot of time loving yourself and it is interfering with your work, school, or other social activities then you might want to stop and think about WHY you are doing it so much. A person can become obsessed with anything.

Please take note of one thing. Some people engage in what is called auto-erotic asphyxiation. This can end in accidental death. Auto-erotic asphyxiation is defined as the induction of cerebral anoxia - a deficiency of oxygen in the brain through self-applied suffocation methods while masturbating. PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS.

So then if the things mentioned above are myths, where are the benefits? Well hold on to your skivvies (at least until you are done reading) I am about to list all the advantages.

Masturbation can relieve stress and:

* Relieve menstrual cramps and other symptoms of PMS.

* Help you fall asleep.

* It’s a great technique for muscle relaxation.

* Stimulate the immune system to help build up resistance to common infections.

* Release mood elevating hormones. Promotes release of the brain’s opioid-like neurotransmitters - endorphins (similar to morphine but 10 times stronger), which cause feelings of physical and mental well being.

* Reduce stress, which is important for the immune, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems.

* Reduce embarrassing spontaneous erections for teen males. No more carrying around your Trapper Keeper or Pee Chee folder in front of your jeans.

* Reduce the number of unwanted wet dreams for young men.

* Enhance self-esteem.

Plus…

Many psychology experts agree that masturbation is a great way of relieving depression. It allows the individual to reach a higher sense of self-worth through successful masturbation. Achieving an orgasm is one of the best ways to lift one’s spirits. Sex also tends to drive out negative thoughts, if only for a while. In the end, whatever arguments some people have against masturbation, it far is better to engage in this practice than to allow depression to set in.

In addition, masturbation teaches a person to understand his or her own sexual responses and is a very good way of exploring one’s sexuality. Every bit of experience helps later on and masturbation can be a very good teacher to the young and shy who are nervous about sex, which is one of the most intimate acts two people can perform together. Masturbation is perfectly safe at all ages and it does not carry the risk of unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections.

So maybe Dr. Jocelyn Elders – the second woman appointed to the position of U.S. Surgeon General - was on to something back in 1994 when she dared to say that masturbation should actually be taught in schools. Too bad, though, she lost her job as a result of the comment.