<s>[INST] Hi, I have been mastrubating for about 6 years now on a avg once a day...The frequency has reduced now but the occasional urges are stronger. I heard that the habit will reduce the quality of the brain and drains the body of essential nutrients and stunt growth.. Is it true...? In any case i want to badly stop doing it..Please suggest me some remedial measures. Is it even possible to stop it through sheer will power or is it genetic..? [/INST] Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. These are all myths about masturbation that it will stun the growth and it will have effects on the brain functionality. The only side effect of masturbation is that the body gets used to take all the pleasure from masturbation and libido towards sexual intercourse is reduced, another cause of decreased libido is that when a person masturbates on regular basis his sperm count will reduce and body will make more sperms this will direct most of the testosterone towards sperm formation causing decreased libido. Yes masturbation can be stopped by will power and there is no genetic involvement in the habit of masturbation. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. </s>