If you’ve ever been woken up by a boner, you know the drill. You’re groggy, you’re disoriented, and you’re struggling to figure out how to get rid of this darn thing without waking up your partner.
But have you ever wondered why you get morning wood in the first place?
It turns out, there’s a scientific reason for why you wake up with a hard on. And no, it’s not because you’re thinking about that hot new co-worker. Here’s everything you need to know about morning wood.
It’s Not Just a Morning Thing
While the name might imply that morning wood is a strictly a morning occurrence, that’s not necessarily the case. In fact, you can get it any time of day, regardless of whether you just woke up or not.
Morning wood is actually slang for nocturnal penile tumescence, or NPT.
So why is it called morning wood? Well, morning wood is most likely to occur after a period of extended sleep, since there’s been more time for your body to produce testosterone and other hormones.
That said, you can still get morning wood even if you didn’t sleep well the night before or if you only took a short nap. So if you find yourself waking up with a boner in the middle of the night, don’t worry, you’re totally normal.
The Science Behind Why Men Wake Up with An Erection
When you sleep, your body goes through different phases of sleep. During the early stages of sleep, your body is in a state of light sleep. But as you progress through the stages of sleep, your body enters a state of deep sleep.
It’s during deep sleep that your body produces a hormone I’m sure you’re familiar with, Testosterone. Testosterone is responsible for the development of male sex organs, and it also plays a role in your sex drive.
So why does this matter for morning boners? Well, it turns out that testosterone levels are highest in the morning. That’s why you’re more likely to wake up with an erection than at any other time of day.
Testosterone isn’t the only hormone involved in morning wood, though. There’s also a hormone called norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is responsible for getting your blood flowing, and it’s also what gives you that “fight or flight” response.
When you combine high levels of testosterone with high levels of norepinephrine, you get an erection. That’s why you’re more likely to wake up with an erection after a night of deep sleep.
Of course, there are other factors that can contribute to morning boners. For example, if you sleep on your stomach, you’re more likely to wake up with an erection. That’s because the pressure on your pelvis can stimulate blood flow to your penis.
Is Morning Wood Good?
Contrary to popular belief, waking up with a boner is actually a good sign. It means that your body is doing a good job of regulating your testosterone levels.
Testosterone is the hormone responsible for maintaining your sex drive. So, if you’re waking up with wood, it means that your testosterone levels are where they should be.
In fact, one study found that men who had morning erections were more likely to have healthier hearts. That’s because the same process that causes morning wood also increases blood flow to the penis, which is good for your heart.
What If I Stop Getting NPT?
While morning wood is generally nothing to worry about, there are a few things that can cause you to stop getting it. If you’re concerned about a loss of morning wood, here are a few things that could be causing it:
- You’re not getting enough sleep: Sleep is crucial for maintaining a healthy sex drive. If you’re not getting enough shut-eye, it could be impacting your morning wood.
- You’ve been drinking too much: Alcohol can decrease your testosterone levels, which can lead to a loss of morning wood.
- You’re taking certain medications: Some medications, such as antidepressants, can cause a loss of morning wood. If you’re concerned about a medication you’re taking, talk to your doctor.
- You have a medical condition: Conditions like diabetes or low testosterone can cause a loss of morning wood. If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
- This could be the first sign of erectile dysfunction: Are you overweight, have high blood pressure or are struggling with depression or diabetes? If so, your loss of morning wood could be an early warning sign of ED.
If you’re concerned about a loss of morning wood, we always suggest talking to your doctor first before making any lifestyle changes.
Morning Wood Vs Wet Dreams
Morning wood, or nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT), is a spontaneous erection that occurs during sleep. It’s perfectly normal and usually happens several times throughout the night.
Wet dreams, on the other hand, are orgasmic episodes that occur during sleep. They’re usually associated with sexual arousal and can be accompanied by ejaculation. Wet dreams are more common in adolescents and young adults, but they can happen at any age.
So what’s the difference between that and a wet dream? Morning wood is simply an erection that occurs during sleep. A wet dream is an erection that leads to orgasm and ejaculation.
Should I Ever Worry About NPT?
In general, nope! Most of the time, NPT is simply a byproduct of your body’s natural circadian rhythm. That is, your body is programmed to wake up and go to sleep at certain times, and this includes increased testosterone and increased blood flow to your penis during certain hours.
NPT is a normal part of life for many men. In most cases, it’s nothing to worry about.
But if you start noticing a change in frequency, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. So if you’re concerned, be sure to talk to your doctor.
What are some other names for morning wood?
Some other names for morning wood are:
- The medical term is Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT)
- Morning Glory
- Morning Tent
- Piss Proud
- Slumber Lumber
- Breakfast Dagger
- Wakin the Bacon
