It sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. One of the world’s most iconic breakfast cereals was born from a misguided attempt to control people’s sexual desires. In the 18th and 19th centuries, moral panic about masturbation swept through Western society. Fuelled by strict Victorian values and religious dogma, people were led to believe that self-pleasure would lead to everything from mood swings and acne to blindness and death. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.
Enter John Harvey Kellogg – Cereal Mogul and Anti-Sex Crusader
In the United States, one of the loudest anti-masturbation voices was John Harvey Kellogg, a physician and devout Seventh-Day Adventist from Michigan. Kellogg wasn’t just a doctor; he was a health reformer who believed that a clean body and a “pure” mind went hand in hand. Unfortunately, his version of purity meant demonising sex in all forms, including masturbation.
Kellogg took things to the extreme. He abstained from sex entirely, even on his honeymoon, choosing instead to work on anti-sex literature. He and his wife slept in separate bedrooms and adopted eight children while fostering another 34.
Kellogg’s Weird Views on Masturbation
Kellogg’s 1877 book, Plain Facts for Old and Young, claimed that masturbation caused a whopping 39 symptoms, ranging from mood swings and acne to epilepsy. His ideas were rooted in fear and misinformation, designed to scare young people into avoiding any form of sexual exploration.
How Cornflakes Were Supposed to Kill Your Libido
Kellogg was convinced that rich, flavourful foods stirred up sexual desires. His solution? Bland, boring food that would supposedly dampen any sexual urges. Inspired by Sylvester Graham (the guy behind graham crackers, which were also created to reduce sexual temptation), Kellogg developed cornflakes – a plain, grain-based cereal that he believed would keep people’s libidos in check.
Of course, Kellogg’s original unsweetened flakes have come a long way since then. But the next time you pour yourself a bowl of cornflakes, you might find yourself wondering about its strange anti-masturbation origins.
Is Masturbation Actually Bad for You?
Nope. Not even a little bit. Despite Kellogg’s wild claims, there’s zero evidence that masturbation is harmful. It’s a completely normal and healthy way to explore your body, release tension, and build a better understanding of what feels good. Masturbation can even help improve sleep, reduce stress, and boost your mood.
The only time it might be a concern is if it starts interfering with your daily life or relationships. But there’s no such thing as a “normal” amount of masturbation – it’s all about what feels right for you. And if you ever feel like it’s becoming compulsive or causing distress, a sex therapist can help you navigate it.
Why Do These Myths Stick Around?
Although we’ve left Victorian values behind (thank goodness), the anti-masturbation narrative hasn’t fully disappeared. Movements like #NOFAP continue to push the idea that abstaining from masturbation makes you more masculine, disciplined, and successful. Spoiler alert (again): it doesn’t. These claims aren’t backed by science, and they only contribute to more shame and misinformation.
Busting Masturbation Myths for Good
Understanding the weird history behind these ideas is key to breaking the cycle of shame and misinformation. Masturbation isn’t harmful. It’s normal, natural, and nothing to feel guilty about – no matter what a cereal mogul from the 1800s had to say about it. 
Sources:
- Kellogg, John Harvey. Plain Facts for Old and Young: Embracing the Natural History and Hygiene of Organic Life. 1877.
- Smithsonian Magazine. “The Great Cornflake Debate: Who Really Invented the Iconic Cereal?”
- NHS UK. “Masturbation: The Facts”
- Psychology Today. “NOFAP: What the Science Really Says”
Founder and CEO of Cliterally The Best, Evie Plumb is a qualified sex educator and nearing the completion of her training in Psychosexual & Relationship Therapy. She’s on a mission to provide accessible, inclusive sex education for those of us who had a sh*tty sex ed – because when we truly understand our bodies and relationships, life is so much better (and, more importantly, way more fun!).
