This Happens When You Quit Masturbating (Funny Challenge)

Key wellness strategies, self-care techniques, and productivity takeaways

• Manage “built-up sexual energy” to reduce anxiety

  • The video frames anxiety as a result of sex-related chemicals “building” without release when sexual tension feels overwhelming.
  • Use a shock/emergency response reset:
    • The experimenter cools down by putting his head in the freezer, then washing hands with as-cold-as-possible water.
    • Rationale: sudden cold is described as triggering stress-survival chemistry that overrides arousal (“emergency chemicals” replacing “sex chemicals”).

• Use cold water as an immediate coping tool

  • Fully dunking is presented as more effective than splashing.
  • Practical framing: take frequent bathroom breaks with cold water running and cool the face/body to interrupt arousal spirals.

• Increase physical activity to burn off arousal

  • The person leans on vigorous cardio/exercise early, and later on as well (including a long run) to reduce urges.
  • Tip implied: if you’re “too stimulated,” exhaustion from exercise can temporarily decrease drive.

• Avoid/limit high-trigger environments

  • The challenge includes working around attractive triggers (such as underwear/swimwear shoots and a partner deliberately teasing).
  • Response strategy used:
    • Physical avoidance (sleeping separately at first, keeping the partner out of immediate temptation at night).
    • Reduce exposure during high-urge moments (covering eyes, leaving the room to cool down).

• Leverage abstinence for dopamine stabilization and focus (for some people)

  • The video claims abstinence may help with dopamine regulation by reducing irregular dopamine surges/crashes.
  • Reported benefits in this challenge:
    • Improved focus
    • Better productivity (writing new scripts, cleaning the house)
    • Possible creativity boost (not guaranteed)

• Watch mood swings and understand context/attachment needs

  • During week 2, the experimenter reports noticeable mood swings.
  • The explanation offered:
    • Masturbation/sex are linked to reward and stress-modulating chemicals (endocannabinoids/reward feel-good cycles are mentioned).
    • More importantly: missing partner-based intimacy (bonding chemicals like oxytocin and related dopamine effects) can affect mood.
  • Wellness takeaway: abstinence effects may not be only about sexual behavior—emotional bonding/context matters.

Presenters / sources

• Infographics Show (narrator/experimenter; “Infographics is back” intro)