Imagine Redditers and disillusioned bros across the internet jointly refusing to fap—that’s where the name comes from. NoFap, birthed in 2011 by a developer named Alexander Rhodes, started from talk of a 2003 study (later retracted) that claimed testosterone spikes 145.7% after seven days of abstinence. The goal? Reboot your sex life by quitting porn, masturbation, orgasm—selectively or totally, depending on your preferred torture level.
Some people join to escape compulsive porn habits, others need a willpower flex or a moral clean slate. Members call themselves “fapstronauts,” with women occasionally dubbed “Femstronauts”.
But … What Does the Science Say?
Mostly, it says: Chill out. There’s no solid scientific evidence supporting NoFap’s supposed superpowers—testosterone surges, mental clarity, energy boosts? Largely anecdotal or community hype.
Health sites like Healthline and Medical News Today admit some members find personal value—but concede there’s not much to back it up medically. Some studies even tie strong Red‑pill sensibility and dwindling trust in actual science to NoFap adherents.
Why Is It a Cultural Thing?
Because nothing says identity crisis like joining an internet abstinence cult. NoFap has become a part of the broader “manosphere”—a place often tangled in alt‑right, religious, or anti‑feminist dogma.
It’s not just about quitting porn—it’s about reclaiming some mythical toxic masculinity. Studies show the forums are rife with conspiracies (“porn is Jewish filth”), blurred with extremist ideologies, and contain a heavy dose of misogyny. Some users even exhibit suicidal thoughts when they fail their “reboot” challenges—because failure is shameful in a cult that sells abstinence as self-worth.
Why You Should Keep Fapping
Here’s the truth: masturbation is good for you. Full stop. It reduces stress, helps you sleep, improves mood, boosts your immune system, keeps your pelvic floor in shape, and for people with prostates, can even lower cancer risk. Fapping clears your head, balances your hormones, and makes you less of an incel-adjacent rage machine. In other words, touching yourself is literally self-care.
So next time someone tries to convert you to NoFap, do yourself a favour: smile, nod, and go home to have a wank. Your body—and your brain—will thank you.