Matt McCusker Teaches Andrew Huberman About Fap Naps
In a Nutshell
Matt McCusker explains that comedians use masturbation after shows as a quick way to crash from the adrenaline and catecholamine surge of performing, calling it a common "fap nap" life hack. Andrew Huberman confirms this works by triggering a post-orgasm drop in dopamine and rise in prolactin, shifting the body into a parasympathetic state for sleep. They also cover how porn can create unhealthy arousal thresholds, especially for younger men, while noting substances like P5P can shorten the refractory period if desired.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Matt McCusker describes staying in hotels for weekends and feeling like a saint when he avoids looking at porn. He explains that after getting off stage, he is wired and knows exactly how he can fall asleep right away. He resists the urge most of the time, estimating that he gives in only about 4% of the time.
Matt states that he has talked to his wife about his porn use and is now off it. He describes the transition as way better. Once past 40, he notes that it is different from the 20s when infinite boners were possible. He emphasizes staying ready at all times so he is prepared if his wife initiates intimacy.
Andrew Huberman asks if fapping before bed is a life hack that comedians know but health experts have not covered. Matt calls it universal knowledge among performers. He jokes that his father and grandfather were fapnappers before him. Matt explains that every comic experiences an adrenaline spike after performing and needs to come down from it. Some turn to drinking, drugs, eating, or going out all night, while others jerk off.
Matt notes that there are no girlfriends or wives on tour. Andrew comments on Freudian slips in the conversation. Matt clarifies he has one girlfriend and is addressing the audience. He explains that after finishing a solo podcast episode, he wants to collapse.
Andrew explains the neurological and biochemical processes: high stimulus, focus, adrenaline, and positive feedback release catecholamines including dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. These chemicals create alertness and focus. Dopamine increases the desire for more of whatever is being experienced. Epinephrine makes the body alert, while norepinephrine increases focus. After a performance, these chemicals are elevated to level 11.
Andrew notes that long exhale breathing or sauna can help lower arousal, but when on tour, performers need to bring it down quickly to catch the bus or plane the next day. He explains that evolution has hardwired circuits for riding the roller coaster up to a peak and then crashing down, ideally through sex with another person, but alone this can be achieved through masturbation.
Andrew describes how this activity brings the body into a lower arousal parasympathetic state. Dopamine goes up and testosterone goes up in both women and men. After orgasm, dopamine goes down and prolactin goes up, setting the refractory period during which a higher stimulus is needed to become aroused again. He mentions the Coolidge effect, where roosters continue to copulate when hens are traded out, and notes this applies to some extent in humans.
Andrew jokes about tadalafil but clarifies it was a joke. He explains that the refractory period can be shortened by blunting the prolactin response using P5P, a form related to vitamin B6. He mentions prescription drugs like cabergoline that inhibit prolactin but does not recommend them. He references communities using these drugs for marathon sex alongside stimulants like methamphetamine.
Andrew shares that a friend who is a former meth addict explained that methamphetamine is used for marathon sex. When people get sober from meth, they often lose their sex drive for a long time as the systems recalibrate. Andrew states he is not a porn guy and personally is not a fan because it allows dialing in higher and higher thresholds without the work of finding a relationship. He notes that porn never says no, which creates issues for younger guys who are not married and do not know how to use it judiciously.
Matt states that for comedians, the 20s into 30s is probably the time of most consumption. He describes being alone in a strange place, not his environment, after performing and getting bumped up from that, and then looking for no one wanting to have sex with him.
Matt asks about taking substances that suppress prolactin to shorten the refractory period. Andrew confirms this shortens it. Matt states he wants the refractory period because he wants to pass out. Andrew responds that this seems like an age-old method of calming down and that it is better than taking a barbiturate.
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