The NoFap Challenge

Pugzilla

I'd bet that 90% of the people who say no fap is bullsh*t genuinely couldn't refrain from fapping for a month even with a big sum of money riding on the outcome.

Gael23

Those of you doing it, are you engaging in sexual relations with another person to satisfy yourself or are we talking total abstinence?

cloud493

Gael23 wrote: »

Those of you doing it, are you engaging in sexual relations with another person to satisfy yourself or are we talking total abstinence?

I'm not doing this challenge, I just don't do it, but no. No sexual contact of any kind.

Grayson

Gael23 wrote: »

Those of you doing it, are you engaging in sexual relations with another person to satisfy yourself or are we talking total abstinence?

The idea with it is something called PMO (Porn, Masturbation, Orgasm) in that order. From what I've read it's fine having "natural" relations with someone. The idea is that excessive PMO hardwires the reward centres of your brain in a way that mimics drug addiction. After a while your brain reacts more to porn and less to real women. So the idea is to kind of detox and reset your brain back to the way it's supposed to work.

So having sex is actually allowed. Porn and **** aren't.

Doge

Some people obviously need to watch the 2012 Ted Talk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSF82AwSDiU

J Mysterio

Such abstinence, very testoserone.

C14N

Pugzilla wrote: »

I'd bet that 90% of the people who say no fap is bullsh*t genuinely couldn't refrain from fapping for a month even with a big sum of money riding on the outcome.

I did it in 2013 for September but it didn't really make much difference to me. Placebos do work though so I wouldn't be surprised if doing it greatly improved things for others.

ardinn

Why did the Sperm cross the Road?

Because I put on the wrong Socks this morning

Gael23

I won't be able to have one from tonight until Sunday or possibly Monday. This'll be the longest ve gone since i started ****

J Mysterio

Gael23 wrote: »

I won't be able to have one from tonight until Sunday or possibly Monday. This'll be the longest ve gone since i started ****

Hahaha. Ahahahhaa.

This thread is ****ing golddust.

MagicIRL

I've seen this popping up a lot recently. Are the people taking part in this 'serial wánkers', in that you compulsively masturbate on a daily basis?

ardinn

MagicIRL wrote: »

I've seen this popping up a lot recently.

I Bet u have

Doge

Doge wrote: »

Some people obviously need to watch the 2012 Ted Talk:

The thread is about giving up masturbation not porn - so the video does not really apply.

That said however: Seems to be a lot of assumptions and even redefinition of terms throughout that talk. For example when has obesity meant "Addiction to food"? That is the definition he throws out.

He also shows a single correlation between erectile disfunction and internet porn and automatically assumes a causation between the two. Despite over and over saying he lacks a control group throughout the talk.

He then backs this up with a SINGLE testimony anecdote - which itself is built up with many correlation and causation errors. For example the testimony guy says his senses and energy has gone up - but that same guy also gave up certain medications. So the assumption giving up porn - and not the medication - caused this is just that - an assumption.

He eventually says that we are only now getting a "control group" because only now are guys coming forward who do not use porn. Firstly this shows that everything he has been saying is useless because if we are only NOW getting a control group - then only NOW are we getting to a point where we can conduct studies.

But I simply do not buy that guys not on internet porn did not exist before this. If they could not find any - then I reckon this was just for want of trying.

And the final issue I have for this talk is the old alarm bell that I always hear going off. The dreaded phrase "Brain re-wiring". A phrase that on the face of it sounds terrifying and meaningful. Brain re-wiriing must be a bad thing right?

Well observe that all the people who use the phrase A) Never exactly specify what the re-writing _actually is_ - as in what form it takes, how it is achieved, what it does, how it does it, and more. Secondly they merely leave the hanging assumption that "re-wiring" is bad. Is it? Your brain "re-wires" all the time in many ways.

So no - not buying much in this talk to be honest - even if it was relevant to the thread.

Von Bismarcks Assassin

[Deleted User] wrote: »

The thread is about giving up masturbation not porn - so the video does not really apply.

That said however: Seems to be a lot of assumptions and even redefinition of terms throughout that talk. For example when has obesity meant "Addiction to food"? That is the definition he throws out.

He also shows a single correlation between erectile disfunction and internet porn and automatically assumes a causation between the two. Despite over and over saying he lacks a control group throughout the talk.

He then backs this up with a SINGLE testimony anecdote - which itself is built up with many correlation and causation errors. For example the testimony guy says his senses and energy has gone up - but that same guy also gave up certain medications. So the assumption giving up porn - and not the medication - caused this is just that - an assumption.

He eventually says that we are only now getting a "control group" because only now are guys coming forward who do not use porn. Firstly this shows that everything he has been saying is useless because if we are only NOW getting a control group - then only NOW are we getting to a point where we can conduct studies.

But I simply do not buy that guys not on internet porn did not exist before this. If they could not find any - then I reckon this was just for want of trying.

And the final issue I have for this talk is the old alarm bell that I always hear going off. The dreaded phrase "Brain re-wiring". A phrase that on the face of it sounds terrifying and meaningful. Brain re-wiriing must be a bad thing right?

Well observe that all the people who use the phrase A) Never exactly specify what the re-writing _actually is_ - as in what form it takes, how it is achieved, what it does, how it does it, and more. Secondly they merely leave the hanging assumption that "re-wiring" is bad. Is it? Your brain "re-wires" all the time in many ways.

So no - not buying much in this talk to be honest - even if it was relevant to the thread.

I'm a completely different person since quitting masturbating to Internet porn. I still masturbate about once per week but the difference is huge. I have a spring in my step, my thinking is much sharper and clearer, I'm more confident and motivated to learn new skills.

Dravokivich

Deleted User wrote: »

And the final issue I have for this talk is the old alarm bell that I always hear going off. The dreaded phrase "Brain re-wiring". A phrase that on the face of it sounds terrifying and meaningful. Brain re-wiriing must be a bad thing right?

Well observe that all the people who use the phrase A) Never exactly specify what the re-writing _actually is_ - as in what form it takes, how it is achieved, what it does, how it does it, and more. Secondly they merely leave the hanging assumption that "re-wiring" is bad. Is it? Your brain "re-wires" all the time in many ways.

I've seen something before a while back that showed these things to be a load of bollocks. Even the "your brain on porn" thing that was so popular a while back scored an own goal on it. By stating its due to porn, then also describing it to be some sort of vague/general reward mechanism to keep you interested in doing things by being satisfied in doing them. So it's nothing to do with either porn, or jerking off in themselves.

It's just this generations corn flakes.

Von Bismarcks Assassin

Von Bismarcks Assassin wrote: »

I'm a completely different person since quitting masturbating to Internet porn. I still masturbate about once per week but the difference is huge. I have a spring in my step, my thinking is much sharper and clearer, I'm more confident and motivated to learn new skills.

Oh joy another unverifiable anecdote testimony. The plural of anecdote is not evidence you know. And again this thread appears to be about giving up masturbation - not giving up porn.

That said however - I have little doubt that giving up masturbation and/or porn is good for _some_ people. My doubt lies in whether that says anything at all about porn or masturbation. Or about the person who had those benefits.

If someone is engaged in _anything_ to the detriment of other aspects of their lives - then of course a cessation of that activity is going to have a benefit.

But as I say that says nothing about the thing they gave up and everything about THEM and how they were engaging with that something. You might just as easily find a testimony saying "I stopped using boards.ie and my life has been better since - I have more time and energy - I have even started my own business".

Would this testimony show there is something wrong with boards.ie use? Or with that particular users use of it? That same question needs to be levelled against testimonies like your own - even if you feel so powerfully about it you signed up to the forum just to make it.

Von Bismarcks Assassin

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Oh joy another unverifiable anecdote testimony. The plural of anecdote is not evidence you know. And again this thread appears to be about giving up masturbation - not giving up porn.

That said however - I have little doubt that giving up masturbation and/or porn is good for _some_ people. My doubt lies in whether that says anything at all about porn or masturbation. Or about the person who had those benefits.

If someone is engaged in _anything_ to the detriment of other aspects of their lives - then of course a cessation of that activity is going to have a benefit.

But as I say that says nothing about the thing they gave up and everything about THEM and how they were engaging with that something. You might just as easily find a testimony saying "I stopped using boards.ie and my life has been better since - I have more time and energy - I have even started my own business".

Would this testimony show there is something wrong with boards.ie use? Or with that particular users use of it? That same question needs to be levelled against testimonies like your own - even if you feel so powerfully about it you signed up to the forum just to make it.

These are the facts, when I quit masturbating regularly to porn I feel much better, when I resume I feel lethargic and sometimes even depressed.

Dravokivich

Von Bismarcks Assassin wrote: »

These are the facts, when I quit masturbating regularly to porn I feel much better, when I resume I feel lethargic and sometimes even depressed.

"Regularly" stands out in a big way to me. It seems you've dramatically reduced the frequency of something and all of a sudden that something was the issue. It very rarely ever is so simple. That something is the output of an issue you have. You ignore it by not succumbing to the output.

Von Bismarcks Assassin

Von Bismarcks Assassin wrote: »

These are the facts, when I quit masturbating regularly to porn I feel much better, when I resume I feel lethargic and sometimes even depressed.

Anecdote is not fact. One has no way to verify any of it. However even if it was fact - the point I made still stands. It says nothing about porn. Or about masturbation. It says only something about you. You may even have an underlying condition exacerbated by masturbation - which you might want checked out. Or what constitutes "regular" for you would actually be something another person would label "excessive".

Von Bismarcks Assassin

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Anecdote is not fact. One has no way to verify any of it. However even if it was fact - the point I made still stands. It says nothing about porn. Or about masturbation. It says only something about you. You may even have an underlying condition exacerbated by masturbation - which you might want checked out. Or what constitutes "regular" for you would actually be something another person would label "excessive".

It is a fact that porn effects me badly.

Nucular Arms

^^

Username..

Von Bismarcks Assassin

Von Bismarcks Assassin wrote: »

It is a fact that porn effects me badly.

And it is a fact that that says little about porn and more about you. Which is the point I was making in both previous posts.

C14N

Von Bismarcks Assassin wrote: »

I'm a completely different person since quitting masturbating to Internet porn. I still masturbate about once per week but the difference is huge. I have a spring in my step, my thinking is much sharper and clearer, I'm more confident and motivated to learn new skills.

I'm sure you do feel all those things but you should also realise that people report the same things about a lot of stuff that is total bunk. You'll hear the exact same from people who use homeopathy or go gluten-free or join the Church of Scientology and have their Thetan levels reduced. A good attitude to something can do a lot to improve your state.

Barna77

A week on, and let's say I've become very sensitive to the slightest touch down there...

Foxhound38

Jaysus, this threads still going??

C14N

Germany Engineering wrote: »

I think there'should more to it than that, I think there are chemical changes taking place in the brain due to excessive port maturation.

Maybe it is, I'm not a neuroscientist, it just seems that without actual controlled experimentation, that's basically on par with what the gluten-free crowd say.

Right, I am getting back on the horse as and from now.

Tomorrow will be the first no fap day, aiming to break my previous record of 3 months.

Eramen

I'll break it down for the non-getters/undecided.

The pathology of addiction is that they are pleasure-derived. We all love pleasure. Eating, drinking, sexing, gambling, tobacco, porn and a host of other things can all be addictive. They usually lead to harder, stronger iterations of themselves.

Most people have addictions. A lot of addictions are banal, such as the caffeine derived from drinking tea. Other addictions kill productivity, damaging mental and physical health over time.

These addictions need to be fed regularly. When you don't you get moody, you find that you can't function, hence most people will just feed it.

When you're engaging in addiction you're not working, improving, growing, learning, understanding, or building. Some people will feel 'stuck in a rut' in this position, dominated by a harmful addiction. Sometimes they feel they like they have lost control.

However if you put a detrimental addiction behind you, a person starts getting to work on things. This leads to personal satisfaction, world-improvements and good self-esteem, in turn causing a more positive outlook. Yes, there are still ups and downs, it's not a miracle-working, but being a productive, active human is healthy.

This is why 'No Fap' is a worthwhile endeavor. You're not time wasting in addiction any more concerning porn and masturbation. There is nothing mystical about it - this is old time common knowledge. Masturbation used to be considered and associated with being lazy for a reason. If you're ****, you ain't working.

Therefore I recommend 'no fap', cutting down, eliminating all porn just because it's counter-productive a general sense.

I understand some people will still not look at addiction intelligently, but that's because they need to go see and experience it for themselves. Observing/making the change is more powerful than debating it. When new habits are formed only then will the connections will be made. Good luck!

C14N

Eramen wrote: »

I understand some people will still not look at this intelligently but that's because they need to go see and experience it for themselves. It will then kick in and connections will be made. Good luck!

I did actually do it though in September 2013, it just didn't really do anything to me. That said, I have actually tried cutting down lately to space it out a bit more. Used to be once every other day, now it's every 3 days. It's really not hard when you just make the decision to do it.

J Mysterio

Eramen wrote: »

I'll break it down for the non-getters/undecided.

The pathology of addiction is that they are pleasure-derived. We all love pleasure. Eating, drinking, sexing, gambling, tobacco, porn and a host of other things can all be addictive. They usually lead to harder, stronger iterations of themselves.

Most people have addictions. A lot of addictions are banal, such as the caffeine derived from drinking tea. Other addictions kill productivity, damaging mental and physical health over time.

These addictions need to be fed regularly. When you don't, you get moody, hence most people will just feed it.

When you're engaging in addiction you're not working, improving, growing, learning, understanding, or building. Some people will feel 'stuck in a rut' in this position; dominated by a harmful addiction. Sometimes they feel they like they have lost control.

However if you put a detrimental addiction behind you, a person starts getting to work on things. This leads to personal satisfaction, world-improvements and good self-esteem, in turn causing a more positive outlook. Yes, there are still ups and downs, it's not a miracle-working, but being a productive, active human is healthy.

This is why 'No Fap' has positive effects. You're not time wasting in addiction any more concerning porn and masturbation. There is nothing mystical about it - this is old time common knowledge. Masturbation used to be considered and associated with being lazy for a reason. If you're ****, you ain't working.

Therefore I recommend 'no fap', cutting down, eliminating all porn just because it's counter-productive a general sense.

I understand some people will still not look at this intelligently but that's because they need to go see and experience it for themselves. It will then kick in and connections will be made. Good luck!

lol!