Interview: Talking NoFap and Male Sexual Health with Healthy Male’s Tim Moss
- Raine Lovebright
- Jul 21
- 6 min read
In recent years, an internet-fueled movement called "NoFap" has taken hold, particularly among young men. Promising everything from increased testosterone to superhuman confidence, NoFap encourages men to abstain from masturbation in the name of self-mastery. But how much of it is real science, and how much is just slick pseudoscience dressed up as self-help?
To get to the bottom of it, I sat down with Associate Professor Tim Moss, Health Content Manager at Healthy Male, a national organisation that provides evidence-based health information for men and boys. With a background in biomedical research and a deep passion for public health, Tim had plenty to say about what’s true, what’s myth, and what we really need to understand about male sexuality.
What Is NoFap, and Where Did It Come From?
When I asked Tim about the NoFap movement, he said it first came to their attention in 2022 during the annual 'No Nut November' meme campaign.
"It's a movement of people who have misguided attempts to be the master of their own domain," Tim explains. Partly rooted in Eastern religious and cultural beliefs (such as the idea that semen contains vital energy) NoFap promotes abstaining from ejaculation altogether, and is often fostered in communities such as Reddit and 4chan. At its most extreme, it’s what happens when Eastern spiritual ideas get chewed up and spit out by Western internet culture.
"The idea is that the loss of semen from the body equates for a loss of energy and that by not ejaculating you store that energy. And I guess that the things that are in ones semen, can be retained and reabsorbed into the body to revitalise them," he says. "It sounds great, but it doesn’t actually work that way."
While some guys simply want a reset after excessive porn use (similar to Dry July for alcohol), others take the ideology much further, linking semen retention to spiritual power, mental clarity, and physical strength.
"It sounds cool, sure," says Tim, "but there’s no scientific evidence to back up these claims."
The Science (or Lack Thereof)
Tim and the Healthy Male team have examined the existing research on semen retention and it’s pretty slim pickings. "There's more anecdote than fact. Science doesn't choose to study things like this often. It has bigger prizes it has its eye on."
When it comes to concrete findings, Tim is clear: "There is nothing that is convincing."
He explains that while abstinence is often framed as a way to boost health or focus, the opposite is actually supported by science. "We know that orgasm and ejaculation can be a pleasant feeling or we wouldn't do it otherwise. We can feel relaxed, elated, and closer to our partners afterwards and that's the consequence of a whole bunch of neurotransmitters."
"So we know there are a bunch of benefits from masturbation such as stress relief and we know there are no health benefits of not ejaculating."
"There’s this idea that abstaining boosts testosterone or enhances your mental focus but the evidence just isn’t there," Tim says. When asked about the potential for psychic powers developing, Tim chuckled.
While the science doesn’t support the magical claims of NoFap, there is solid evidence that regular ejaculation supports men’s health. "And some studies suggest that men who ejaculate more frequently may have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. It’s like a ‘keep the pipes clean’ sort of thing."
He adds that sexual activity may also play a role in maintaining prostate health as men age. "There’s also a ‘use it or lose it’ philosophy. We know that men’s prostates enlarge with age, and while we don’t fully understand why, reduced sexual activity might play a role. Again, we don’t have all the research, but we do know that there are real benefits to healthy sexual function."
In short, is there a physiological benefit or risk to abstaining? Tim puts it plainly: "It doesn't look like it and there's not any evidence to suggest one way or the other."
So Why Is It So Popular?
"It’s good for eyeballs and clicks," Tim notes bluntly. The more out-there the claim, the more engagement it gets online. And young men hungry for answers, connection, or even just clarity. are often the ones caught in the crossfire of this content.
"Our most popular article is about blue balls," Tim shares. "The sort of questions we have when we're teenager at school it seems to get the most traction." These are basic, relatable sexual health concerns that aren’t often addressed in school curriculums or open conversation. When answers are lacking, people turn to the internet, and sometimes find misinformation instead.
Unfortunately, the NoFap movement has also become entangled with more toxic strains of internet masculinity. "There's definitely a vibe of shame-based thinking and macho extremism in parts of the community," I noted. Tim agreed, referencing work by Movember researcher Dr. Zac Seidler, who has studied how online male spaces often elevate aggressive, exclusionary versions of masculinity and he highlighted it can be "particularly nasty". "There's not a lot of information out there that's reliable, so misinformation and disinformation tends to fill that gap."
"We’re seeing this idea that true masculinity is about denying pleasure and conquering something or overcoming this 'urge', having the 'strength' to refrain." Tim said. "This hypermasculine message is getting the eyeballs."
"It’s the same mindset that fuels extreme dieting, ice baths, and cold showers, it’s performative toughness," I added, and Tim agreed.
Meeting People Where They’re At
Still, not everyone in the NoFap community is coming from a toxic place. Some simply feel better abstaining, and that matters.
"We should validate and appreciate their experiences," Tim says. "Even placebos can make people feel better. The important thing is to make sure people aren’t doing harm to themselves, either physically or emotionally."
"Certainly for people who feel they are spending too much time in front of the computer consuming pornography" Tim continues regarding the benefits of reduced ejaculation "if they can stop for a while and get parts of their lives back they feel they are sacrificing, it's a benefit for sure."
This is where approaches like mindful masturbation can help. If someone feels like their porn use or sexual habits are out of balance, mindfulness-based strategies can promote healthier, more connected experiences, without shame.
Tim also brought up another popular but equally unsupported trend: "Exposing one's scrotum to sunlight or red light therapy for scrotal tanning. On the back of some Joe Rogan stuff a few years ago, you know, people swear by red light on their scrotum. It's not doing anything. It's not good for them and it might not be hurting them, but if they're paying a few $100 a time. Uh, then I've got a problem with it."
"Yeah, I think we take the same approach here," I responded. "We try to help people be better informed and there's a lot of things that people do that make themselves feel better. It's just about being mindful of when, um, that goes into hurting oneself, that's for sure."
Tim goes on to say: "Having a healthy relationship with your sexual behaviours and that sexual side of your life is incredibly important. It's an important part of who we are as animals and to deny those urges and healthy behaviours is a bit of a shame. We want people to enjoy that aspect of their lives as we appreciate it's so important."
"Exactly, and we can make room for both in our lives. Time for the gooning and time for the friends," I added. "We don’t want them doing it all the time so they can't do what they're supposed to be doing," Tim replied with a laugh.
Let’s Talk About It (Seriously)
As a nurse working in sexual health, I’ve seen firsthand how these conversations often leave men behind. While women have formed strong networks around reproductive health (out of necessity), many men still go through sexual health experiences (like vasectomies, sti checks, fertility testing etc.) in complete silence. "It’s in and out," I said to Tim. "No communication, no talking."
"Yeah," he replied. "And that’s part of the problem."
Healthy Male is working to change that by offering inclusive, evidence-based resources to help boys and men understand their bodies and health. From mythbusting to clinical education, their materials are designed to meet people where they are (without the stigma).
"It’s refreshing to see more resources available now," Tim said. "There are organisations helping men understand consent, express their emotions, and explore sexuality in ways that aren’t wrapped in shame or machismo."
At its core, this conversation isn’t just about semen retention, it’s about how we teach people to relate to their bodies, their sexuality, and themselves. Science doesn’t support magical thinking around ejaculation, but it does support a shame-free, informed, and balanced relationship to sex and pleasure.
Where to Learn More
For young men (and anyone, really) looking to explore their sexual health without the macho pseudoscience, here are some great starting points:
Your local sexual health clinic
The information provided in this blog post is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While I am a registered health practitioner, this content is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional who can consider your individual circumstances.
This blog reflects my personal views and professional experiences and does not represent the views of my employer or any affiliated organisations.
In line with AHPRA guidelines, no testimonials are included, and this blog post is not intended to advertise or promote specific services or treatments.
Comments