Masturbate Burn Calories can also improve sleep in some people, which is an important factor for maintaining a healthy weight. Poor sleep has been linked to increased appetite and weight gain. While there is a slight increase in heart rate and energy expenditure during masturbation, the effect on metabolism is minimal. Unlike physical exercise, which can lead to long-lasting increases in metabolic rate (known as the afterburn effect), masturbation doesn’t have a significant long-term impact on how many calories your body burns throughout the day.