New Research Puts a Nail in an Old Sports Myth
Masturbation does not lower testosterone—it may even improve performance.
Updated March 10, 2026 | Reviewed by Devon Frye
In 2023, celebrity influencer Jake Paul lost a boxing match to Tommy Fury and blamed his defeat on a nocturnal emission the night before the fight. He claimed that the wet dream had drained two weeks of “saved-up testosterone ” and left his legs weak in the ring.
In doing so, Paul invoked a centuries-old myth: that sex or orgasm before a competition diminishes athletic performance. A modern version of this belief claims that non-procreative sex, such as masturbation , lowers testosterone levels and weakens men physically.
This idea is not new. In the 1700s, Swiss physician Samuel Tissot argued that masturbation depleted the body of essential substances, making men weaker. Many cultures have echoed similar beliefs, often tying them to broader anxieties about masculinity and moral condemnation of masturbation.
Scientific research, however, has repeatedly failed to support these claims. Numerous studies have examined whether sexual activity affects athletic performance, while others have shown that sex and orgasm are more likely to increase testosterone than decrease it. Now, a particularly well-designed laboratory study has taken a closer look at the issue.
A group of Spanish researchers recruited 21 healthy male college athletes between the ages of 18 and 25. Participants were screened for hormonal or physiological disorders and were required to abstain from alcohol and drugs for at least 48 hours before testing.
Although 21 participants may seem like a small sample, the researchers used a careful within-subjects design, meaning each participant served as his own control. This approach allowed the researchers to achieve sufficient statistical power with as few as 18 participants.
Each participant completed both conditions of the study on separate days:
Compared to the abstinence condition, masturbation produced small but statistically significant improvements in certain performance measures. Participants showed:
Importantly, there were no negative effects on physiological measures. Lactate accumulation—the chemical associated with muscle fatigue—did not increase. Participants did not report greater perceived exertion. Although heart rate was higher following masturbation, this did not impair performance.
While the researchers did not claim that masturbation dramatically enhances athletic performance, they were clear on one point: It does not appear to reduce performance or physical capability, either.
Even more striking, testosterone levels were actually higher in the masturbation condition. Cortisol levels were also elevated, suggesting increased physiological arousal rather than depletion.
A Possible “Priming” Effect
The researchers proposed that sexual activity before exercise may “prime” the body for physical performance. Masturbation and orgasm may increase physiological drive and motor neuron activity, preparing the body for exertion.
Psychological factors may also play a role. Orgasm releases neurotransmitters such as endorphins and endocannabinoids, which can reduce pain perception and enhance motivation and confidence —all of which could benefit athletic performance.
Although the study’s findings are limited to young, healthy male athletes, it represents the first rigorous laboratory investigation comparing physiological performance with and without pre-exercise sexual activity. The results directly contradict the longstanding myth that orgasm lowers testosterone or weakens men physically.
The only remaining variable may be psychological belief. If an athlete strongly believes that sexual activity harms performance, that belief alone could create a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Still, the science strongly indicates that masturbation does not drain testosterone, and it does not impair athletic performance. As research like this gains attention , hopefully this outdated myth will finally give way to evidence-based understanding.
Fernández-Lázaro D, Garrosa M, Santamaría G, Roche E, Izquierdo JM, Seco-Calvo J, Mielgo-Ayuso J. Sexual activity before exercise influences physiological response and sports performance in high-level trained men athletes. Physiol Behav. 2026 Apr 1;307:115203. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115203. Epub 2025 Dec 11. PMID: 41390043.
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David J. Ley, Ph.D. , is a clinical psychologist and the author of Insatiable Wives, Women Who Stray and The Men Who Love Them .
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.