Many people have this question: does excessive sexual indulgence really affect lifespan? Since ancient times, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has maintained this principle: preserving and storing essence (Jing) extends life, while depleting essence through indulgence leads to a shortened lifespan.

TCM holds that the Kidney governs the storage of essence (Jing); essence generates blood, essence generates Yin and Yang, and it governs the bones and generates marrow. From the perspective of Five Elements theory, the Kidney is the most vital of the five Zang-organs and belongs to Water. Those who indulge in excessive desire are prone to Kidney-Water deficiency. Since Water restrains Fire, and the Heart belongs to Fire, a deficiency in Kidney-Water means it cannot restrain Heart-Fire, leading to hyperactivity of Heart-Fire. Excessive Heart-Fire will then restrain the Lung Meridian, making the respiratory system susceptible to problems.

Furthermore, the Liver belongs to the Wood element in the Five Elements theory, and Water generates Wood. When Kidney-Water is insufficient, it fails to nourish Wood, making the Liver prone to deficiency. Coupled with an irregular lifestyle and staying up late, which also damages the Liver, a condition of dual deficiency of the Liver and Kidney easily arises. This is why individuals with Kidney deficiency inevitably develop Liver deficiency. Consequently, Kidney deficiency leads to issues in the Heart, Liver, and Lungs; with four out of the five Zang-organs already damaged, only the Spleen remains. Compared to other viscera, the Spleen is the most easily impaired. Once the other four Zang-organs develop problems, the Spleen will follow suit. When all five Zang-organs are compromised, physical health is naturally threatened, thereby affecting longevity and shortening the lifespan.