The 0 Masturbation Challenge, also known as the No Fap Challenge, is growing in popularity on TikTok. Advocates praise the benefits of sexual abstinence on sexuality and the spirit. However, this challenge raises many questions. Does it have real benefits for sexuality?
The goal of this challenge is simple: to completely abstain from pornography, masturbation, or sex in order to “reboot the brain to heal what is called porn addiction and the sexual dysfunction that comes with it.”
This challenge was created in 2010 and popularized on Reddit seven years later. Today there are millions of participants around the world. TikTok quickly joined the movement.
There are many videos on the platform praising the supposed benefits of abstinence, specifically claiming that it leads to increases in energy, testosterone, and confidence.
The big question now is: is this challenge actually conducive to sexual health?
“There is no scientific evidence of the benefits of abstinence for any period of time,” said Marianne Gilbert, sexologist and administrative director of Les 3 Sex.
However, if there are positive benefits in going without for a few days or weeks, she doesn’t see any harm in doing so, especially when it comes to pornography.
Pornography can quickly become a real addiction, and according to the sex therapist, it can end up being a good idea to avoid looking at it while masturbating.