The NoFap Challenge

andyman

I'll give this a go...







...ok I'm out already.

Grayson

Grayson wrote: »

Why would I be trying to make a sales pitch?

Beats me but that is what it sounds like. A kind of "Story Telling" science where the evidence for the claims is simply that it sounds plausible when you espouse it. So I am just curious if there are any citations or studies that back up this "Brain Re-Wiring"? Or whether such studies propose an actual set of figures on how much is "too much" in terms of causing such things to happen?

Grayson wrote: »

Seriously, can you suggest any reason I'd be making this up, or let's face it, you're saying I'm lying.

If I was saying that I would have said that. I am long past trying to understand the motivations of people espousing baseless claims. Rather than focus on the motivation I simply focus on what the basis of the claims actually is. Which is why I asked.

For example there are claims being thrown around the thread about "faster reloading" or "More attraction to your partner" and so on and so on. I see nothing backing up those claims except the occasional anecdote or two.

sbsquarepants

KingFling wrote: »

Depends on how you have sex!! Foreplay etc. Pre-mature ejaculation is not big deal, just head back down south, more fore play, reload and continue

You tell yourself whatever you have to, speedy

Brevestroke

Brevestroke wrote: »

The anecdotes are widespread.

Anecdotes on any subject are wide spead. Many of them conflicting. Someone above mentioned UFOs for example. Similarly if anecdote was useful we would all think Homeopathy works or that Ouiji Boards can contact the dead.

That is one of the many reasons why the plural of "anecdote" is not "evidence".

I am aware of the anecdotes as I said. I was wondering was there any further substantiation for the claims being thrown at the thread?

sbsquarepants

Deleted User wrote: »

That is one of the many reasons why the plural of "anecdote" is not "evidence".

I'm stealing this phrase (hope you don't mind!:P)

sbsquarepants

sbsquarepants wrote: »

I'm stealing this phrase (hope you don't mind!:P)

I stole it myself. It does the rounds.

starWave

Day 6 done. Definitely more alpha male. Was hoping the extra testosterone and spare energy would have an affect on my training, but no evidence of that yet. maybe that's not how it works.

PizzamanIRL

Day 8 complete. I feel on top of the world. I saved 2 cats from a tree. I got a business management degree. I got promoted at work. The President invited me to dinner. NoFap Challenge has changed my life for the better.

1ZRed

Yeah, I did 2 days before I decided to beat one to cure a hangover. Worked as well.

That was a few days ago, might restart the challenge again.

starWave

1ZRed wrote: »

Yeah, I did 2 days before I decided to beat one to cure a hangover. Worked as well.

That was a few days ago, might restart the challenge again.

I got through the hangover somehow. Thats usually part of the cure. Why does it even cure a hangover?

Daveysil15

PizzamanIRL wrote: »

Day 8 complete. I feel on top of the world. I saved 2 cats from a tree. I got a business management degree. I got promoted at work. The President invited me to dinner. NoFap Challenge has changed my life for the better.

I hate cats and am afraid of heights. I don't think its working for me. I also find I'm looking at my female colleagues arses a lot more. That can't be good.

Insect Overlord

10 nights in. I'm finally tempted. Pray for me, Brothers!

Call Me Jimmy

Fook me, 10 nights in I'll pray for your sheets!

DEFTLEFTHAND

It's impossible to do for any meaningful length of time, even with great will power if the tank is full for too long you'll have a wet dream sooner or later.

Oranage2

Well I got passed a week, 12hours into the eight day I fapped - without any real motivation not to fap its nearly impossible.

Stay strong brothers

stoneill

Deleted User wrote: »

Beats me but that is what it sounds like. A kind of "Story Telling" science where the evidence for the claims is simply that it sounds plausible when you espouse it. So I am just curious if there are any citations or studies that back up this "Brain Re-Wiring"? Or whether such studies propose an actual set of figures on how much is "too much" in terms of causing such things to happen?

he he he

Grayson

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

It's impossible to do for any meaningful length of time, even with great will power if the tank is full for too long you'll have a wet dream sooner or later.

That doesn't matter. The whole nofap ethos is to avoid porn & fapping together. people seem to think that they are against ****. What they [nofap] think is wrong is obsessive **** to porn. An interesting experiment for the guys to do here is to just avoid porn for two weeks and see if they can still manage to **** in the same time period. If you have to have porn to get aroused, that's the problem.

CastingCouch

I find this very tough! Although I don't have anything to pass the evenings.

Pj!

From reading up on it a bit I think there is possibly more to it than just a porn addiction. There are claims that masturbation is linked to social anxiety and there seems to be plenty of people who claim that they have much higher confidence, more determination and higher energy levels as a result of giving it up.

starWave

Oranage2 wrote: »

Well I got passed a week, 12hours into the eight day I fapped - without any real motivation not to fap its nearly impossible.

Stay strong brothers

get someone to agree to help you empty the tank after 30 days. If you don't make the 30 days, they agree not to help.

Daveysil15

Pj! wrote: »

From reading up on it a bit I think there is possibly more to it than just a porn addiction. There are claims that masturbation is linked to social anxiety and there seems to be plenty of people who claim that they have much higher confidence, more determination and higher energy levels as a result of giving it up.

Any links? I've never heard anything like that. I would have thought it'd have the opposite effect.

GalwayGuy2

You know, I had to not masturbate for six weeks once when I was a young fella.

I kind of liked the feeling of blue balls, but, jaysus, It was like everything was liquid and swinging. And my sexual fantasies got more vivid and, eh, unusual. :P

I wonder would saying them on this thread break everybody's motivation :P

HowAreWe

3 weeks this thursday :eek:

did a week without even realizing so I thought sure I'll see how long I can go and it's been surprisingly easy, it just hasn't been on my mind.

I have been a bit more confident with the opposite sex but that could just be a coincidence.

We'll see. :pac:

Pj!

Daveysil15 wrote: »

Any links? I've never heard anything like that. I would have thought it'd have the opposite effect.

Below is a bit of a copy and paste job from a couple of different articles. I'm far from an expert and only simply passing on information from elsewhere which I have found interesting.



Apparently it's to do with dopamine levels. Dopamine is a chemical that helps us experience emotions, respond to rewards and to feel better. Every type of reward that has been studied (including masturbation) increases the level of dopamine in the brain (A variety of addictive drugs, including stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine, act by amplifying the effects of dopamine.)
People with low dopamine levels tend to find life less joyful and may feel dissatisfied with their lives. They are at a much higher risk of depression and social anxiety.

Porn addicts have reportedly been found to have very low dopamine levels and are more likely to be anxious, less confident and depressed. They look to their next 'porn session' for their dopamine boost - to feel good. But in between sessions they can become bored of everyday life. Social interactions and friendships can suffer, the addict can become anxious around people.

The good news is that the brain can restore its normal chemical levels after giving up on porn for sometime (weeks to months depending on how your brain chemicals got messed up).

In brief, porn addiction can't just make you feel guilty but it can make your whole life tasteless and less joyful.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine
http://www.2knowmyself.com/Why_masturbation_lowers_your_self_esteem_and_kills_your_self_confidence

CastingCouch

HowAreWe wrote: »

3 weeks this thursday :eek:

did a week without even realizing so I thought sure I'll see how long I can go and it's been surprisingly easy, it just hasn't been on my mind.

I have been a bit more confident with the opposite sex but that could just be a coincidence.

We'll see. :pac:

You reckon it makes much of a difference? If it does I think I'll have to force myself to do it.

starWave

Two weeks done. wonder will the wet dreams kick in this week?

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

theSHU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2giBAfDOGw

Brego888

Does this challenge mean complete abstinence from any sexual activity?
As in a) does sex with a partner ruin your streak?
And b) does a wet dream ruin your streak?

starWave

Brego888 wrote: »

Does this challenge mean complete abstinence from any sexual activity?
As in a) does sex with a partner ruin your streak?
And b) does a wet dream ruin your streak?

the nofap challenge is for masturbation specifically, but you can also include no sex with a partner, which is called 'hard mode'. Indeed, the point of the challenge for some, is to be more active looking for sex with a partner.

I don't think you can control wet dreams, and I wouldn't count it as ending the streak. I'm curious how long it will take for one to happen though, so no sex with a partner until the experiment is over.