Unless you’ve been on a social media detox, you must’ve undoubtedly come across hoards of memes since the last week of October, about No Nut November (NNN). Almost all of them point to the Herculean task of trying to attempt the challenge, but seemingly still rally participants to go through with it. Why do so many people–the subreddit r/nonutnovember has over 1 lakh members, who call themselves the ‘nut cumrades’–try to keep themselves from pleasurable release? What benefits do they think it would bring their joysticks? What does NNN tell us about our notions of masturbation? In this article, we explore all this and more. We also got in touch with some awesome folks to understand their thoughts about the challenge. So before you uninstall Snapchat and put away your self care products, keep reading to know more about NNN.
What is No Nut November?
No Nut November originated on the internet as a satire, first appearing on Urban Dictionary in 2011, and then on forums like Reddit and 4chan. It is associated with the Reddit r/nofap community, which motivates ‘fapstronauts’ to overcome porn addiction and compulsive self stimulating behaviours by abstaining from masturbation. NNN challenges participants to go for a month without ejaculating or ‘nutting’. Watching porn and wanking off are permitted–the catch is to curb climax.
Why do people attempt No Nut November?
Though there aren’t any guidelines that state that NNN is for men alone–anyone is free to participate–most of them belong to this gender population. The main goal seems to be fighting addiction, and it could be helpful for those who join the challenge with this aim because it highlights the problem of compulsive behaviours and encourages the use of time that would be spent mindlessly beating the meat, for other engagements. The nut cumrades claim that NNN can result in higher energy levels, increased fertility (despite studies stating otherwise), confidence and mental clarity. A fair share of participants also join the challenge out of sheer competitiveness, as humorously depicted in shows like Seinfeld and Bad Mouth.
“Every guy I’ve ever known has heard of, or probably even tried pulling off No Nut November. For me, it was always just one of those trends you should try at least once so you don’t get FOMO. But I soon realised how problematic it is when I read up about it, and I’m glad we have experts busting this myth on social media”, says A, a 24 year old straight cisman, working as a consultant in Delhi.
Moment of Truth
Although these communities are fashioned as peer support groups and could be considered spaces for cis het men to have conversations about their bodies, there’s been evidence pointed by many professionals to demonstrate that NNN might not be anything more than just a trend, with no real gains. While it may provide a spirited opportunity for those who want to cut down on compulsive jerking off, the guidelines of the challenge can be a little nuts–participants are allowed to watch porn, fap, and spend playtime with partners, as long as they don’t ejaculate. This obsession with semen release could hint at some form of semen-loss anxiety, and can perpetuate wrong perceptions about the bodies of penis owners. This anxiety is also prevalent in conditions like Dhat syndrome, which is found among male patients in the Indian subcontinent, where there is a preoccupation with the worry of losing semen, typically while urinating, masturbation, and during wet dreams, that manifests as weakness, tiredness, anxiety, appetite loss, and guilt. Similar conditions are found all across the world, and are tied to myths about the semen as an “elixir” or “vital essence” and the idea that semen release is in some way harmful or taking away from the body. However, it has been medically proven that ejaculation is not associated with semen loss below normal thresholds, and regular release does more good than harm–unless it’s a part of chronic masturbation. Furthermore, blowing a load is associated with a number of benefits, including improved semen and prostate health, reducing cancer risks, and increased well-being. In fact, doctors recommend that men orgasm about 21 times a month, although the evidence on this isn't conclusive.
By not differentiating between regular and chronic masturbation, the NNN discourse can add to the shame associated with masturbation and conversations around the body. The focus on not creaming can also add to the idea that finishing is the most crucial part of engaging in pleasure. And although edging can be a fun way to turn up the intensity of orgasms, doing so repeatedly with the added weight of having to prove something to oneself or others, and not allowing for that final jizz explosion, can make it really uncomfortable. Urologist Rena Malik, states that it can cause "inflammation in the pelvic floor and testicles–also known as 'blue balls', along with emotional side effects". With the larger part of the conversation fixating on ideas of toxic masculinity and the objectification of women, it can also be harmful to not examine NNN through a feminist, queer and pleasure affirmative lens.
Fortunately, some of us have had access to informed resources (Aunt Sassy’s got the rest of us). S, a non-binary demisexual person working as a social worker in Mumbai, explains how their mother is “a gynaecologist, so she was very pleasure-affirmative in terms of explaining how there’s nothing wrong with masturbating–how it’s normal and even healthy. I often engage in self-pleasure, and choose when I wish to give it a rest. It’s that simple.” With regards to the claimed benefits of the challenge, they think: “if I put myself in that position as someone who’s religiously following through with it, I think my mental health would not be okay at all. I'm not sure if there are any physical or sexual benefits. I have a partner of two years, and I cannot even begin to fathom how they would feel if I suddenly let them know that I won’t cum for a month.”
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your bodily choices should be in your hands. While semen retention itself has no proven hazards, it’s always better to try to be conscious of your motivations and expectations, and carefully consider the facts, if you’re choosing to give NNN a shot. Make sure to inform your partners about your decision and try to have a conversation about their thoughts on the challenge.
Whether you choose to hold back or go all the way, grab a pleasure toy like our personal massager OG, and add something more to the challenge, while you’re at it. The 10 different frequency modes allow you to level up at your satisfaction. Pair it with our water based lubricant, DTF and you’ll be armed to face NNN and any other pursuits in the bedroom. (Shop our personal massager and lube online on our website).
About the Author
Anna (she/they) is a queer and neurodivergent. They have always been curious about pleasure and conversations around it (and wanted to found a condom company when they were 12, because of Global North misinformed panic that the climate crisis is a consequence of overpopulation–they’ve learnt better now). They wish to contribute to a world where everyone can enjoy access to pleasure, safely and shamelessly.
