Thread: Benefits of Celibacy/Common Paths towards Celibacy

I have had an interest in celibacy and its health benefits for a while. While I have read many articles claiming numerous health benefits to celibacy (longevity being the most common), I am curious about the scientific validity of these proposals. Has it been scientifically proven that celibacy has health benefits? Do the benefits lean more towards psychological health or physical health?

Also, I am curious as to what are the most effective ways of transitioning from sexual life to celibacy for people. But this is secondary, am more interested in the above.

Originally Posted by Poisonxix

I have had an interest in celibacy and its health benefits for a while. While I have read many articles claiming numerous health benefits to celibacy (longevity being the most common), I am curious about the scientific validity of these proposals. Has it been scientifically proven that celibacy has health benefits? Do the benefits lean more towards psychological health or physical health?

Also, I am curious as to what are the most effective ways of transitioning from sexual life to celibacy for people. But this is secondary, am more interested in the above.

Well the benefits would amount to ensuring that you don't end up pregnant or have a partner that becomes pregnant and also reduces your chance of contracting an STD and HIV (there are other ways to contract HIV of course, same with STD's).

But if you have oral sex, for example, you can still end up with a gift that ends up giving for a long time. Psychological benefits? It would depend on the person. A victim of sexual abuse or rape victim might benefit from not having sex for a long period of time until they were mentally prepared again. Another benefit would be that you could focus on work, life, other things in life that isn't just 'sex'. But again, it would depend on the person. Some may find that happy medium where they are able to satisfy themselves sexually without having sex (masturbation/porn) and feel they do not need it and are happy that way. Others may find that they miss that human touch and contact.

I would imagine that if you wanted to become celibate, it is something that would rely on your own personal strength and will power and you would have to do it for a specific reason and actually plan it. Instead of a spontaneous decision, it would have to be something that you would really want to do. I guess you would have to look at why you wish to become celibate and see how well it would benefit you to determine what the benefits would be and how you would go about reaching that goal.

I think clarification of terms is needed. Strictly speaking "celibate" means not married. "Chaste" is the state of not having inapropriate sexual activity. However sex between married partners is a chaste activity. What I presume you are talking about is not being sexually active. Are you allowing yourself masturbation? or are you being more strict? Living a totally asexual life with neither sexual intercourse nor masturbation is certainly possible. It is in fact the state formally required of a righteous single christian. It is not much fun, nor are there any health benifits other than the avoidence of sexually transmitted disease.

I've always understood celibacy to be the equivalent of not being sexually active...by choice. "Chaste"--I have only seen this word used in the context of marriage. As for masturbating, I have never enjoyed that so I don't feel the urge to do this. But if I did, I would allow it. I think celibacy should not be extremely strict to the point where you deny self-exploration.

Christians are not the only ones who take up a lifestyle of celibacy. Buddhism and hinduism also promotes celibacy. It is the life of monks as well. Personally, I have no commitments to religion--I'm an atheist. I have not taken up celibacy truly as of yet. It is a difficult transition to make while living in our current culture.

I cant relate with wanting to be chaste.

Originally Posted by Poisonxix

I've always understood celibacy to be the equivalent of not being sexually active...by choice. "Chaste"--I have only seen this word used in the context of marriage. As for masturbating, I have never enjoyed that so I don't feel the urge to do this. But if I did, I would allow it. I think celibacy should not be extremely strict to the point where you deny self-exploration.

Christians are not the only ones who take up a lifestyle of celibacy. Buddhism and hinduism also promotes celibacy. It is the life of monks as well. Personally, I have no commitments to religion--I'm an atheist. I have not taken up celibacy truly as of yet. It is a difficult transition to make while living in our current culture.

What sources are you using for the suggestions of a more healthy and longer life span?

Originally Posted by Paleoichneum

Originally Posted by Poisonxix

I've always understood celibacy to be the equivalent of not being sexually active...by choice. "Chaste"--I have only seen this word used in the context of marriage. As for masturbating, I have never enjoyed that so I don't feel the urge to do this. But if I did, I would allow it. I think celibacy should not be extremely strict to the point where you deny self-exploration.

Christians are not the only ones who take up a lifestyle of celibacy. Buddhism and hinduism also promotes celibacy. It is the life of monks as well. Personally, I have no commitments to religion--I'm an atheist. I have not taken up celibacy truly as of yet. It is a difficult transition to make while living in our current culture.

What sources are you using for the suggestions of a more healthy and longer life span?

If you google "benefits of celibacy"or something along those lines it comes up in some articles and biographies of people who have lived to their 100s who claim that their secret is celibacy. I have not found though any scientific study proving such.

Have you checked the veracity of the pages though? Anyone can post anything on the net, its a matter of culling the chaff for the actual reliable sources. How many peer-reviewed articles have you found that support the assertion?

That's a point I made in starting the thread: There is no scientific evidence stating so..no peer-reviewed articles, nothing in scientific magazines, nothing on the websites of the most credible health institutions. That's why I posed the question as to whether there was any scientific validity in such statements I find in these articles (largely in blogs, health magazines, newspapers) since I personally am not aware that there is. But then again I don't have access to all scholarly databases out there so was hoping there might be others who may have found any actual research supporting this or disproving it.

Well to be fair, I said I was curious about the scientific validity of these assertions--but all the same, with the implication that I found none.

But even more important, it seems that there have been no medical studies done on celibacy, on the actual physical effects or potential benefits. I've only found articles studying celibacy from a cultural/sociological standpoint. I find it to be really problematic that the medical community has done extensive study on the benefits and effects of a sexually active lifestyle but have failed to also look at the opposite.

I dont think there are any subsistence to the claims to be honest. Heres one paper that indicates its detrimental ‘I’m putting a lid on that desire’: Celibacy, choice and control

Originally Posted by Poisonxix

Well to be fair, I said I was curious about the scientific validity of these assertions--but all the same, with the implication that I found none.

You have stated the matter quite plainly in your opening post.

You are interested in celibacy, have read articles claiming health benefits to the activity and you are asking if anyone here can point you toward any studies that validate those claims.

I am not aware of any such studies either but I was contemplating that this would be a rather difficult question to verify because it would be entirely reliant on self-reporting with all of the inherent inaccuracies attributable to human nature.

Here is an article on the subject with tomorrow's date, lol.

Talk about timely.

Stay celibate to live longer - Health - The Scotsman

If you google "benefits of celibacy"or something along those lines it comes up in some articles and biographies of people who have lived to their 100s who claim that their secret is celibacy. I have not found though any scientific study proving such.

And I've seen reports of people celebrating their 110th birthday claiming that the secret to their long life was anything from hard work to a bottle of wine a day to smoking for the last 90 years to eating a healthy diet to eating anything and everything that takes your fancy to being "happy".

The only time I've seen any references to longevity and celibacy has been with nuns and monks - but that usually emphasises the lifestyle as a whole rather than the celibacy alone.

Originally Posted by Paleoichneum

I dont think there are any subsistence to the claims to be honest. Heres one paper that indicates its detrimental ‘I’m putting a lid on that desire’: Celibacy, choice and control

Thanks for this. I looked over the paper and it actually seems to challenge the notion that celibacy is detrimental. The literature view is actually pretty critical of the way celibacy is shrouded in negative conceptions and depictions. And in fact, it presented a case of nine men who chose to be celibate and who testified that when celibacy became a conscious choice it opened numerous benefits for them in terms of focusing on other aspects of life and relationships. I would support this thesis too. I think when celibacy is made as a conscious choice (as something that someone truly wants)it can be a very fulfilling path of development for someone. On the other hand, when it is something someone chooses but in reality is just denying themselves an aspect of life and humanity that they actually want, then yes, I can see how that can result in nothing but unhappiness.

Originally Posted by scheherazade

Here is an article on the subject with tomorrow's date, lol.

Talk about timely.

Stay celibate to live longer - Health - The Scotsman

I believe the actual date of the article is on the right. The article is actually dated way back if you look, says it was published 05/07/2002

Originally Posted by Poisonxix

Originally Posted by scheherazade

Here is an article on the subject with tomorrow's date, lol.

Talk about timely.

Stay celibate to live longer - Health - The Scotsman

I believe the actual date of the article is on the right. The article is actually dated way back if you look, says it was published 05/07/2002

I stand corrected. You are right about the date. I blame it on the heat. My brain is poached, lol...

Still, it was fun to see tomorrow's date on this item from a Yukon perspective.

Originally Posted by Poisonxix

Originally Posted by Paleoichneum

I dont think there are any subsistence to the claims to be honest. Heres one paper that indicates its detrimental ‘I’m putting a lid on that desire’: Celibacy, choice and control

Thanks for this. I looked over the paper and it actually seems to challenge the notion that celibacy is detrimental. The literature view is actually pretty critical of the way celibacy is shrouded in negative conceptions and depictions. And in fact, it presented a case of nine men who chose to be celibate and who testified that when celibacy became a conscious choice it opened numerous benefits for them in terms of focusing on other aspects of life and relationships. I would support this thesis too. I think when celibacy is made as a conscious choice (as something that someone truly wants)it can be a very fulfilling path of development for someone. On the other hand, when it is something someone chooses but in reality is just denying themselves an aspect of life and humanity that they actually want, then yes, I can see how that can result in nothing but unhappiness.

I was not able to access the full paper at home, were you able to?

Originally Posted by adelady

If you google "benefits of celibacy"or something along those lines it comes up in some articles and biographies of people who have lived to their 100s who claim that their secret is celibacy. I have not found though any scientific study proving such.

And I've seen reports of people celebrating their 110th birthday claiming that the secret to their long life was anything from hard work to a bottle of wine a day to smoking for the last 90 years to eating a healthy diet to eating anything and everything that takes your fancy to being "happy".

The only time I've seen any references to longevity and celibacy has been with nuns and monks - but that usually emphasises the lifestyle as a whole rather than the celibacy alone.

You forgot the ones that drank a 5th of Vodka or so other activity that most would think would kill you early.


I

Originally Posted by Paleoichneum

Originally Posted by Poisonxix

Originally Posted by Paleoichneum

I dont think there are any subsistence to the claims to be honest. Heres one paper that indicates its detrimental ‘I’m putting a lid on that desire’: Celibacy, choice and control

Thanks for this. I looked over the paper and it actually seems to challenge the notion that celibacy is detrimental. The literature view is actually pretty critical of the way celibacy is shrouded in negative conceptions and depictions. And in fact, it presented a case of nine men who chose to be celibate and who testified that when celibacy became a conscious choice it opened numerous benefits for them in terms of focusing on other aspects of life and relationships. I would support this thesis too. I think when celibacy is made as a conscious choice (as something that someone truly wants)it can be a very fulfilling path of development for someone. On the other hand, when it is something someone chooses but in reality is just denying themselves an aspect of life and humanity that they actually want, then yes, I can see how that can result in nothing but unhappiness.

I was not able to access the full paper at home, were you able to?

I accessed it through my school's online library database. If you're interested in reading it, can email it to you.

Originally Posted by Poisonxix

Originally Posted by Paleoichneum

Originally Posted by Poisonxix

Originally Posted by Paleoichneum

I dont think there are any subsistence to the claims to be honest. Heres one paper that indicates its detrimental ‘I’m putting a lid on that desire’: Celibacy, choice and control

Thanks for this. I looked over the paper and it actually seems to challenge the notion that celibacy is detrimental. The literature view is actually pretty critical of the way celibacy is shrouded in negative conceptions and depictions. And in fact, it presented a case of nine men who chose to be celibate and who testified that when celibacy became a conscious choice it opened numerous benefits for them in terms of focusing on other aspects of life and relationships. I would support this thesis too. I think when celibacy is made as a conscious choice (as something that someone truly wants)it can be a very fulfilling path of development for someone. On the other hand, when it is something someone chooses but in reality is just denying themselves an aspect of life and humanity that they actually want, then yes, I can see how that can result in nothing but unhappiness.

I was not able to access the full paper at home, were you able to?

I accessed it through my school's online library database. If you're interested in reading it, can email it to you.

Sure!