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 JamesPhD candidate, University of MelbourneContent creator and author of Kinky History

Dr Vijayasarathi RamanathanClinical sexologistSenior Lecturer of Sexual Health (Sexology) at Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney

Dr Ann JonesHost, What the Duck?!

Dr Matilda BrindleEvolutionary biologistUniversity 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.

The psychology of masturbation

All In The Mind