[H4ngman]

Actually, I did once delete all my porn out of a mood swing and start a one-month no fapping marathon. Shortly after I accquired a girlfriend and I sexed.

But that doesn't imply that those two things were connected in any way. In fact, I'm pretty sure I did break that no-fap marathon several times.

[Irockz]

Do hand-drawn nude pictures without sex in them count?

[Skelmech]

mobrockers2 posted:

I dunno, I'd have to see the picture first. For science.

Nice try.

[Disseminate]

Irockz posted:

Do hand-drawn nude pictures without sex in them count?

Yeah

Edited:

mobrockers2 posted:

I dunno, I'd have to see the picture first. For science.

you're headed straight to the failure list

[Scarabix]

Disseminate posted:

Why not lol

Actually, I'll have to acknowledge I wouldn't have accepted the challenge with no background.

Had to do a lot of playing around with my dick for my first time, I just couldn't get excited. I don't want this to happen again, ever. Especially since a girl has told me we'd get to fuck soon.

[Arvuti]

Disseminate posted:

Yeah

Put me in the participating list too.

[Jon-Ace]

Tried this. Made it to Day 6 and stopped because the testosterone increase made my bad temper even worse. YMMV.

[Splurgy_A]

Oh look, it's this thread.

Disseminate posted:

You have the sources if you want to verify for yourself.

I'm not exactly eager to trawl through a bunch of studies but basically one point on his website is this:

the “no scientific evidence” argument is not a sound argument where there has not been much in-depth study.

This is a stupid, stupid thing to say. The guy frequently takes research about reward circuits re:fast food at misapplies them to his ideas about porn.
You can't do that with science. If you read a scientific study that says "30 middle aged men who ate a hamburger experienced elevated dopamine levels as compared to a control group of 30 middle aged men who only ate celery", you can't then say "THEREFORE HAMBURGERS ARE ADDICTIVE". It takes a hell of a lot of research to expand on something like that;

Until a lot of research has been made, you're making baseless claims. I could quite easily say that being exposed to computers increases the risk of becoming atheist due to brain waves being different in computer users AND THERE'S NOT ENOUGH RESEARCH TO SEE IF THIS ISN'T TRUE. This is true.
I don't mean to pooh-pooh the man fully; I'm sure porn addiction is a real thing. It makes sense. But the fact remains, he's spun it into a quasi-cult. You see it time and again on the internet; a bunch of people who maybe feel dissatisfied with their lives seize upon something like porn or masturbation and decide if they change this ONE THING about themselves suddenly everything will be better. The guy claims it'll improve sexual performance, that it'll make girls notice you more because you're more self confident, that . This is very seductive to lonely, sad people. But it's not necessarily accurate.
Maybe this isn't massively relevant but I'm reminded of this:

Waves of enthusiasm for a given product, supported and spread by all the media of communication, are thus propagated with lightning speed. A style of dress emerges from a film; a magazine promotes night spots which launch various clothing fads. Just when the mass of commodities slides toward puerility, the puerile itself becomes a special commodity; this is epitomized by the gadget. We can recognize a mystical abandon to the transcendence of the commodity in free gifts, such as key chains which are not bought but are included by advertisers with prestigious purchases, or which flow by exchange in their own sphere. One who collects the key chains which have been manufactured for collection, accumulates the indulgences of the commodity, a glorious sign of his real presence among the faithful. Reified man advertises the proof of his intimacy with the commodity. The fetishism of commodities reaches moments of fervent exaltation similar to the ecstasies of the convulsions and miracles of the old religious fetishism. The only use which remains here is the fundamental use of submission.

In this situation, it's the idea of cutting out porn, or masturbation, or orgasms entirely. If you go to www.reddit.com/r/nofap you'll see people preaching anti-masturbation with a quasi religious zeal, because they've committed themselves to this idea fully.
Perhaps I'm biased here; being gay I'm always a bit suss of sex-negative people, because their core argument often revolves around something like "Sex is only for reproduction, homosexuals are deviants driven purely by animalistic sexual desires". Maybe this guy is different. I don't know. But given the long running misuse of science by people who are anti-sex, anti-masturbation or anti-porn (fun fact: the reason circumcision is so prevalent in America is thought mainly to be due to puritanical anti-wanking campaigners who wanted to make it more difficult for men to masturbate) I am highly, highly dubious of any claims this guy makes.
Some of the things he cites don't really apply to the general population, either. "Hypersexual disorder and preoccupation with internet pornography." Well, of course a hypersexual is going to get fixated on something like internet pornography. But much like everyone who eats at McDonalds isn't an obese fast food junkie, gorging themselves to death, most internet porn users are not addicted.

[Irockz]

Disseminate posted:

Yeah

Yeah as in you can't fap to them?

[dvc]

I dont like the "OH IF YOU FAP YOURE GOING TO BE FOREVER ALONE" mentality youre putting into this. I mean sure if you wanna lay off it thats fine, but calling anyone who faps a lonely loser isnt accurate at all. How do you know Im not already in a relationship?

[Skelmech]

Splurgy_A posted:

-really educational shit-

Yeah, basically this, we're only going to do it because we know there are a few health benefits from not fapping all the time.

[oranges283]

Facepunch Triple X meeting and confessions

[Disseminate]

Splurgy_A posted:

text

I understand exactly where you're coming from, and while most journal articles he provides are very specific in nature, there have been thousands of articles verifying classical conditioning. There are articles that link dopamine and pleasure and thus sexuality, and as far as that's concerned, porn does classically condition viewers into viewing more porn. The aspects of there being a link between porn and social anxiety, confidence etc. are still debatable, but the fact of the matter is that conditioning leads to addiction which is something completely unhealthy and something that no human being in their right mind would choose to have.

Regarding extreme anti-sexuality, he clearly states that he's not anti-masturbation nor anti-sexuality at all, and that's also the view that I have of it.

Regardless of if it has an effect or not, I have yet to hear a testimony of anyone who's stopped viewing porn for more than a few months that is dissatisfied with their choice.

Edited:

dvc posted:

I dont like the "OH IF YOU FAP YOURE GOING TO BE FOREVER ALONE" mentality youre putting into this. I mean sure if you wanna lay off it thats fine, but calling anyone who faps a lonely loser isnt accurate at all. How do you know Im not already in a relationship?

I never said anything about not fapping. Please re-read the OP.

[SilverBullet]

Personally I don't live for the future, I don't live for the past, I live for right now. I don't really care if it will make me slightly happier over time. We all have one little life and then it's over. I would rather enjoy the now than abstain from pleasure to get a bit of happiness in the future. People act like they are going to live forever, when really, you could die today. Porn is one of the many pleasures of my life and I don't plan on taking it away any time soon. I guess you could call me a hedonist, but with good reason.

I feel from my own experience that all claims made in the op are wrong, but that is just my opinion. I feel that any effect from abstaining is a placebo.
I live life to enjoy it, not pointlessly put rules to keep myself in line.

Disseminate posted:

I understand exactly where you're coming from, and while most journal articles he provides are very specific in nature, there have been thousands of articles verifying classical conditioning. There are articles that link dopamine and pleasure and thus sexuality, and as far as that's concerned, porn does classically condition viewers into viewing more porn. The aspects of there being a link between porn and social anxiety, confidence etc. are still debatable, but the fact of the matter is that conditioning leads to addiction which is something completely unhealthy and something that no human being in their right mind would choose to have.

Regarding extreme anti-sexuality, he clearly states that he's not anti-masturbation nor anti-sexuality at all, and that's also the view that I have of it.

Regardless of if it has an effect or not, I have yet to hear a testimony of anyone who's stopped viewing porn for more than a few months that is dissatisfied with their choice.

I have abstained from porn for months before and not much changed. I was happier when I wasn't abstaining. And I don't see why you call addiction unhealthy, or why you would even call watching porn frequently an addiction, an addiction is something you become a slave to and more than likely get notable withdrawals from. I can stop porn just like that, but I see no point as I have done it before without much effect. And no, dopamine and pleasure DO NOT link directly with sexuality as you can get non-sexual pleasure from lots of things, and dopamine releases from lots of things.

[Irockz]

I'll sign up but only if I'm allowed to fap to nudes that don't involve any form of sex or photography.

[cueballv2themax]

dvc posted:

I dont like the "OH IF YOU FAP YOURE GOING TO BE FOREVER ALONE" mentality youre putting into this. I mean sure if you wanna lay off it thats fine, but calling anyone who faps a lonely loser isnt accurate at all. How do you know Im not already in a relationship?

my girlfriend knows i fap.

i told her i was doing this

she was going offline and said "Whatever you do, don't think about blowjobs."

great, thanks for the support.

[mR_oWnAGe]

Sign me up jack, I've done this before and lasted 2 months.

Within those months I felt my testosterone higher, I had a positive outlook on things and generally had more energy, Feels good.

[Wolfz]

Skelmech is obviously manipulating her bf

[Cell]

I'm in.

[Disseminate]

Irockz posted:

I'll sign up but only if I'm allowed to fap to nudes that don't involve any form of sex or photography.

That's like giving an alcoholic light beer. It's not an improvement.

[Irockz]

Disseminate posted:

That's like giving an alcoholic light beer. It's not an improvement.

And telling me that I will not be likeable around girls is completely false. A majority of my friends are female and my moirail is female.

[ILY]

I'm in

[SilverBullet]

Disseminate posted:

That's like giving an alcoholic light beer. It's not an improvement.

Uh, no it's not. That is implying that fapping is like beer. Which they are not.

You must be one of those people that say all drugs are the same.

[EvilMattress]

Instead of Fapping never ever again, why not just limit yourself to like once a week or something

[SilverBullet]

EvilMattress posted:

Instead of Fapping never ever again, why not just limit yourself to like once a week or something

What's the point, you'll only get a very slight, barely noticeable change anyway.

[Splurgy_A]

Disseminate posted:

I understand exactly where you're coming from, and while most journal articles he provides are very specific in nature, there have been thousands of articles verifying classical conditioning. There are articles that link dopamine and pleasure and thus sexuality, and as far as that's concerned, porn does classically condition viewers into viewing more porn. The aspects of there being a link between porn and social anxiety, confidence etc. are still debatable, but the fact of the matter is that conditioning leads to addiction which is something completely unhealthy and something that no human being in their right mind would choose to have.

Regarding extreme anti-sexuality, he clearly states that he's not anti-masturbation nor anti-sexuality at all, and that's also the view that I have of it.

Regardless of if it has an effect or not, I have yet to hear a testimony of anyone who's stopped viewing porn for more than a few months that is dissatisfied with their choice.

Porn may well classically condition people to use more porn, in the same way masturbation in general classically conditions people to masturbate more often. But there's obviously other factors at play stopping most people watching 20 hours of porn a day and rubbing their penis raw. You can't say that watching porn -> reward circuits -> addiction any more than you can say having a wank -> reward circuits -> addiction or eating a yummy chocolate bar -> reward circuits -> addiction.
You admit the suggested links between porn and social anxiety are "debatable". Well, I'd argue that they're a damn sight more shaky than just "debatable", but even so your OP presents the following as facts:

(quitting porn leads to)
- No erectile dysfunction (note that viagra does not cure mentally caused ED!)
- You'll become more sociable and thus likeable - girls will notice this
- More confidence

If he's not anti-masturbation, surely you must question his entire stance re: the Coolidge effect? I mean, I see more attractive people in a day than my ancestors would have in a lifetime because I live in a very big city and travel about a lot, plus I see pictures of people on TV and in the cinema and on the internet. If he's suggesting that porn is the issue here, does he assume the Coolidge effect goes away if you're cracking one out over that hottie you saw on the bus? I hope he's not suggesting you should masturbate without thinking sexual thoughts/being sexually aroused, because I believe that's classed as compulsive masturbation and is in fact a bit dodgy.
In regards to your final point, you're likely the victim of a confirmation bias. Personally, when I've given up wanking/porn for a bit as a personal challenge, I find myself incredibly horny and thus more likely to do something sexually that I regret afterwards (e.g. fucking a stranger). The people who sing the praises of the anti-porn ideology are the ones who've already been sold on it, who are thus more likely to link every success following it with the anti-porn thing itself.

[Skelmech]

Wolfz posted:

Skelmech is obviously manipulating her bf

you know it bb ;)

[Jrock455]

Skelmech posted:

you know it bb ;)

She is very much manipulating me

[aerika]

i don't watch porn
i just stare at a wall and jerk off

[SilverBullet]

Splurgy_A posted:

Porn may well classically condition people to use more porn, in the same way masturbation in general classically conditions people to masturbate more often. But there's obviously other factors at play stopping most people watching 20 hours of porn a day and rubbing their penis raw. You can't say that watching porn -> reward circuits -> addiction any more than you can say having a wank -> reward circuits -> addiction or eating a yummy chocolate bar -> reward circuits -> addiction.
You admit the suggested links between porn and social anxiety are "debatable". Well, I'd argue that they're a damn sight more shaky than just "debatable", but even so your OP presents the following as facts:

If he's not anti-masturbation, surely you must question his entire stance re: the Coolidge effect? I mean, I see more attractive people in a day than my ancestors would have in a lifetime because I live in a very big city and travel about a lot, plus I see pictures of people on TV and in the cinema and on the internet. If he's suggesting that porn is the issue here, does he assume the Coolidge effect goes away if you're cracking one out over that hottie you saw on the bus? I hope he's not suggesting you should masturbate without thinking sexual thoughts/being sexually aroused, because I believe that's classed as compulsive masturbation and is in fact a bit dodgy.
In regards to your final point, you're likely the victim of a confirmation bias. Personally, when I've given up wanking/porn for a bit as a personal challenge, I find myself incredibly horny and thus more likely to do something sexually that I regret afterwards (e.g. fucking a stranger). The people who sing the praises of the anti-porn ideology are the ones who've already been sold on it, who are thus more likely to link every success following it with the anti-porn thing itself.

Thank you for your very sound logic, quite refreshing compared to most people in this thread.
I agree that really the biggest (and only) impact I got from stopping porn or masturbating was getting incredibly horny, which in retrospect was pretty annoying, and did not improve my social skills in the slightest.

[Str4t0s]

Hi everyone. Count me in. Dont look on the left.

[Din0FreaK]

I'll give it a try.

[Disseminate]

SilverBullet posted:

Uh, no it's not. That is implying that fapping is like beer. Which they are not.

You must be one of those people that say all drugs are the same.

You're taking the stance that fapping = porn. Once again, I fully condone masturbation.

Please don't resort to ad hominems.

Edited:

Irockz posted:

And telling me that I will not be likeable around girls is completely false. A majority of my friends are female and my moirail is female.

Then why are you doing this if porn is completely positive for you?

[SilverBullet]

Disseminate posted:

You're taking the stance that fapping = porn. Once again, I fully condone masturbation.

Please don't resort to ad hominems.

My mistake, so you are saying looking at porn is like beer?
If anything that is even more stupid.

I don't see how looking at an image and fapping is SO different than fapping to an image in your mind.

Fapping without thinking sexual thoughts is just plain weird. Why would you condone that?

[Pancake Bunny]

So wait, does this mean I have to uninstall my Sims 2 Woohoo mods (because i'm a sick freak who enjoys making little people have sex)

[SilverBullet]

Disseminate posted:

Then why are you doing this if porn is completely positive for you?

He never said he was doing this.

[HorizoN]

count me in [I've been doing it forever anyway!]

[runtime]

I'm in.

[Repulsion]

So, basically no porn, or really anything made to sexually arouse someone, and no fapping?

Hrrrmm. I'm really not sure if this is true or not but whatever, I suppose I'll find out.

I mean, I've never met any of these problems, like erectile dysfunction or mental issues, etcetera, before, but I'm only one man.

[SilverBullet]

Repulsion posted:

So, basically no porn, or really anything made to sexually arouse someone, and no fapping?

Hrrrmm. I'm really not sure if this is true or not but whatever, I suppose I'll find out.

I mean, I've never met any of these problems, like erectile dysfunction or mental issues, etcetera, before, but I'm only one man.

They said you could fap as much as you want to, just don't have any sexual thoughts, which makes no sense.