As adults, getting off solo-style is a practice that most of us have well in hand (so to speak). But masturbation hasn’t always gone off without a hitch. When puberty set in, we tried barricading ourselves into bathrooms, and like twisted Tolkein characters, secretly groped our precious erectile treasures.

Now that we’re all grown up, those awkward moments—when parents caught us flogging our mollys—are hazy memories, and our approach to masturbation has evolved dramatically. The fact is that most of us have become pretty comfortable with the notion of self-gratification.

Besides, tossing off really is a healthy practice, with medical professionals touting it as a depression reducer, stress reliever and a sure way to boost one’s self-esteem. But research during the last few decades has shown us that masturbation can do much more than just help men unwind from a hectic day at the office.

Spanking the primate has also been shown to guard against prostate cancer. Medical researcher Graham Giles of The Cancer Council Australia concluded in 2003 that prostate cancer development could be hindered or thwarted altogether by frequent masturbation.

However, this is not necessarily the case for all age groups. In a 2008 study, researchers found that men between the ages of 20 and 40 who masturbate from two to seven times per week are at an increased risk of prostate cancer. Lastly, it was determined that the 50-something crowd and their elders who jerk off once per week have lower incidence of prostate cancer.

Then there are the benefits of mutual masturbation. It might seem odd to play with yourself when it feels better with foreign hands, but there’s a certain appeal to watching and being watched when masturbating. Not only does this form of foreplay create intense anticipation, it can be an excellent guide to where and how he likes to be manipulated for optimal pleasure.

For a rare few, masturbation has become a problematic compulsion. If you just can’t seem to drop your dick long enough to perform everyday functions, you could be suffering from a form of sexual addiction. There are associations that offer group sessions similar to alcoholics anonymous for this kind of thing. If you are an overindulgent, compulsive cocker, just use your free hand to search online for one of these helpful organizations.

This is not to be confused with another type of group session, the masturbatathon. Inhibitions are discarded at the circle’s edge of these open-air, communal whack-offs, which are often promoted as safe alternatives to full contact fornication. Pleasure seekers of all ages gather for the sensual sessions with the goal of discarding masturbation taboos and encouraging safe sex.