Nofap experiment: its PORN thats the issue, not masterbating

[IBreatheSpears]

Clearly you havent seen the previous video posted.

I've heard these arguments before and seen the studies, I don't need to watch this particular video to know the science is flimsy at best. You can become "addicted" to any behaviour if you allow it to become a habit. Gambling, porn, video games, fidgeting, biting your nails. Even drinking water when you are thirsty or talking to your best friend will release dopamine. You can also drink too much water and crowd your friends with too much attention. It's pointlessly reductionist to compare this to shooting heroin or whatever.

We are the sum of our habitual thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Our brains like to replay these because it's easier to do what you always do than it is to think of something new. Brain wants to save energy so it repeats previous actions. You just have to exercise restraint instead of masturbating forty times per day. Obviously that's unhealthy. So is drinking ten litres of water.

It's really not big news that doing things excessively is bad for you. A smart person should also be able to see through the fallacious idea that abstinence is the solution to vice, when a huge grey area of moderation exists.

 

[Juanto]

You just have to exercise restraint instead of masturbating forty times

Wasnt so much referring to fapping, was more focusing on porn.

 

[IBreatheSpears]

Wasnt so much referring to fapping, was more focusing on porn.

I can see the logic that the more porn you watch, the less sensitive you are to actual nudity. It doesn't gel with my personal experience, though, and I don't buy the "scientific" explanation because there's no actual evidence for it. It's not clear how dopamine works, there's not even a consensus on whether it is a reward chemical (released after a positive behaviour), a motivator (released before the behaviour) or something else. It has many different functions depending on where in the brain (and elsewhere, like the heart muscle) you look.

Maybe I'm just lucky that porn doesn't affect me this way but I don't buy it, yourbrainonporn is affiliated with religious groups who believe masturbation and porn are forms of adultery, so I won't trust anything they say.

 

[TheProspect]

I've heard these arguments before and seen the studies, I don't need to watch this particular video to know the science is flimsy at best. You can become "addicted" to any behaviour if you allow it to become a habit. Gambling, porn, video games, fidgeting, biting your nails. Even drinking water when you are thirsty or talking to your best friend will release dopamine. You can also drink too much water and crowd your friends with too much attention. It's pointlessly reductionist to compare this to shooting heroin or whatever.

We are the sum of our habitual thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Our brains like to replay these because it's easier to do what you always do than it is to think of something new. Brain wants to save energy so it repeats previous actions. You just have to exercise restraint instead of masturbating forty times per day. Obviously that's unhealthy. So is drinking ten litres of water.

It's really not big news that doing things excessively is bad for you. A smart person should also be able to see through the fallacious idea that abstinence is the solution to vice, when a huge grey area of moderation exists.

What are you even saying.

No one here is insinuating masturbation and porn are the work of the devil and should be abstained from forever. No one is against moderation.

If people are noticing positive benefits by not indulging in porn or masturbation addictively, I don't see what your problem is.

The fact that addictive behaviour (porn, masturbation, drugs, alcohol, etc) can be replaced with more productive and proactive activities is undeniable.

I don't see your point... except trying to rationalize moderation (which no one is against in the first place). And if people prefer abstinence and are against moderation, who gives a fvck. If it works for them, it works for them... it doesn't make them an idiot like you are implying.

 

[IBreatheSpears]

What are you even saying.

No one here is insinuating masturbation and porn are the work of the devil and should be abstained from forever. No one is against moderation.

If people are noticing positive benefits by not indulging in porn or masturbation addictively, I don't see what your problem is.

The fact that addictive behaviour (porn, masturbation, drugs, alcohol, etc) can be replaced with more productive and proactive activities is undeniable.

I don't see your point... except trying to rationalize moderation (which no one is against in the first place). And if people prefer abstinence and are against moderation, who gives a fvck. If it works for them, it works for them... it doesn't make them an idiot like you are implying.

I don't have a problem with people trying it, finding it works for them, and telling others. I'm happy you've found a way to improve your life. But I don't like people claiming there is scientific evidence when it's tenuous at best, especially when those people are using it to further a religious or political agenda.

 

[Juanto]

I don't have a problem with people trying it, finding it works for them, and telling others. I'm happy you've found a way to improve your life. But I don't like people claiming there is scientific evidence when it's tenuous at best, especially when those people are using it to further a religious or political agenda.

Dont see any religious agenda in the posted video here.

 

[TheProspect]

I don't have a problem with people trying it, finding it works for them, and telling others. I'm happy you've found a way to improve your life. But I don't like people claiming there is scientific evidence when it's tenuous at best, especially when those people are using it to further a religious or political agenda.

Understandable.

I am the furthest thing from religious, and I haven't done enough personal research to form my own conclusion on the validity of the science behind it.

I will say, based on personal experience, there is a change when abstaining (or severely limiting yourself) from porn and/or masturbation.

However, that video is the best, most credible science I have seen on the subject. YourBrainOnPorn and NoFap forums have very dogmatic approaches and concepts, so I don't blame you for becoming a little close-minded after reading them.

I don't notice any of the common "superpowers" or "benefits" that a lot of the NoFap advocates allege to have:
- better eyesight
- increased confidence
- more active
- in a better mood
- stronger
Etc

I am a relatively proactive and confident person to begin with and I rarely encounter unpleasant emotions. I didn't notice any changes emotionally in regards to modifying my indulgence of porn and masturbation.

What I am primarily concerned with is erection quality and duration, and I have noticed remarkable improvements when limiting or abstaining from porn and/or masturbation. I am currently not abstaining from either, but I have severely limited both compared to where I was at and it really does make a difference.



Like I said, watch The Great Porn Experiment video. It is not dogmatic and uses credible science. Stay away from sites like YourBrainOnPorn and NoFap forums such as reddit, they'll give you the wrong impression and a lot of people on NoFap Reddit are fvcking weirdos who obsess over this sh!t too much.