EPISODE · Nov 18, 2025 · 1H 2M
Is Masturbation Dangerous? Why History Won’t Let This Die
from ADHD Realities · host Dr. Leann Borneman
Why are we still recycling 1800s pseudoscience about masturbation? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Eric Sprankle to unpack where these beliefs started, why they stubbornly survive, and how moral panic replaces real science. From fetal self-soothing to porn ‘addiction’ myths, to why ADHD brains often get misdiagnosed — we hit every uncomfortable truth with humor, clarity, and zero shame. More about Dr. Eric Sprankle: Dr. Eric Sprankle is a professor of clinical psychology at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He is also a licensed psychologist and AASECT-certified sex therapist affiliated with the Minnesota Sexual Health Institute. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Xavier University in 2009, completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in sexual health at the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2011, and was awarded tenure in the psychology department at Minnesota State University in 2017. Dr. Sprankle is the author of the recently published book, DIY: The Wonderfully Weird History and Science of Masturbation. Book Instagram Website
What this episode covers
Why are we still recycling 1800s pseudoscience about masturbation? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Eric Sprankle to unpack where these beliefs started, why they stubbornly survive, and how moral panic replaces real science. From fetal self-soothing to porn ‘addiction’ myths, to why ADHD brains often get misdiagnosed — we hit every uncomfortable truth with humor, clarity, and zero shame.More about Dr. Eric Sprankle:Dr. Eric Sprankle is a professor of clinical psychology at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He is also a licensed psychologist and AASECT-certified sex therapist affiliated with the Minnesota Sexual Health Institute. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Xavier University in 2009, completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in sexual health at the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2011, and was awarded tenure in the psychology department at Minnesota State University in 2017. Dr. Sprankle is the author of the recently published book, DIY: The Wonderfully Weird History and Science of Masturbation.BookInstagramWebsite
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Is Masturbation Dangerous? Why History Won’t Let This Die
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