The psychology of masturbationThe psychology of masturbation
All In The Mind
This week we're talking about something intimate… and sometimes taboo: masturbation. From self-love, to disordered behaviour and back again, we explore how our perceptions of masturbation have changed over the course of history and why it's still linked to shame and confusion for some. Also, why do humans (and other animals) masturbate in the first place? Just a heads up, if the topic didn't give it away, this episode may not be suitable for little ones. You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on ABC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode first aired in September 2024. Guests: Esme Louise James PhD candidate, University of Melbourne Content creator and author of Kinky History Dr Vijayasarathi Ramanathan Clinical sexologist Senior Lecturer of Sexual Health (Sexology) at Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney Dr Ann Jones Host, What the Duck?! Dr Matilda Brindle Evolutionary biologist University of Oxford Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Senior producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound engineer: Beth Stewart More information: Sex is Weird | What the Duck?! To find the transcript for this episode, head to its original webpage.
29:06•28 Mar 2026
Cornflakes, Shame and Self-Pleasure: The Psychology of Masturbation
Episode Overview
- Masturbation has shifted in Western history from being seen as normal or even beneficial to being labelled sinful and dangerous, largely due to influential texts from the 1700s onwards.
- Sex therapist Dr Vijay Ramanathan explains that distress often stems from conflict between beliefs, feelings and behaviour, rather than from masturbation itself.
- Mindful masturbation, with attention to the whole body and mental state, is presented as a way to strengthen the mind–body connection and support relaxation.
- Research on primates and other animals shows masturbation is widespread across species, challenging claims that it is abnormal or "unnatural".
- The episode encourages questioning inherited ideas about semen, sin and self-pleasure by asking whether long-held thoughts are actually supported by facts.
“"Masturbation, when you elicit pleasure, when you get aroused, when you feel it, when you sense it, it's actually a great mind-body connection."”
In this eye-opening episode, you'll learn about the psychology, history and stigma of masturbation, all handled with a mix of science, honesty and cheeky humour. Aimed at adults curious about sexuality, mental health and body shame, this suits anyone who's ever wondered why something so common can feel so complicated. Journalist and presenter Sana Qadar steers the conversation from cornflakes and anti-sex diets to modern sex therapy.
Sex historian Esme Louise James explains how ancient cultures once saw masturbation as a "social good", linked to fertility and preventing adultery, before an infamous 1712 pamphlet kicked off a moral panic that still echoes today. Sex therapist Dr Vijay Ramanathan breaks down how distress often comes less from the act itself and more from clashing beliefs, emotions and habits.
His three scenarios of attitudes to masturbation highlight where genuine conflict lies, especially for people who keep doing it but feel terrible afterwards. He reframes masturbation as a powerful mind–body experience, saying, "Masturbation, when you elicit pleasure...
it's actually a great mind-body connection." Evolutionary biologist Matilda Brindle and nature podcaster Dr Anne Jones widen the lens to the animal kingdom, describing masturbation in primates and other species, and why it may have evolved as a helpful strategy for both males and females. Their research strongly challenges the idea that masturbation is "unnatural". Throughout, the episode keeps circling back to shame, guilt and conflicting values, without mocking anyone's beliefs.
Instead, it asks: what happens when your upbringing, culture or religion says one thing, but your body and curiosity say another? For people in recovery, or anyone reassessing their relationship with their body, this gentle but candid conversation might nudge you to question old stories and ask, as Dr Vijay puts it, "Thoughts are not facts. We need to question." So where do your own ideas about self-pleasure really come from, and are they helping or hurting you?
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