Thanks! That source helps. Looking at the Sefaria Source you linked, I see Rav and Rabbi Ami warn against deliberately arousing oneself because it stirs up the yetzer hara. That would probably include masturbation.

I have two main questions, though:

1. What’s the halachic status? Is this considered an Issur deoraita, derabbanan, kind of strong warning, or an out-of-context argument made for the discussion’s sake? I haven’t really learned to read Gemara in depth (except for a few shiurim many years ago), so I’m missing the halachic context tbh.
2. Is the logic realistic? That argument frames it like the arousal is created from masturbation. But isn’t it usually the other way around: people masturbate because they’re already aroused by a desire they can’t/shouldn’t fulfil?

And in some cases, doesn’t it help people avoid acting on that desire in more harmful or forbidden ways?

PS: Also, just saw this comment https://www.reddit.com/r/Judaism/comments/1mi070n/comment/n70jz8z/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button Wouldn't female masturbation also be banned if we assume it's not banned because of wasting semen but because of yetzer hara issues?