No Porn, Better Working Memory?

Submitted by admin on Fri, 12/14/2012 - 11:27
Printer-friendly version

 LightbulbResearch finds porn imagery lowers cognitive function

German scientists have discovered that Internet erotica can diminish working memory. Working memory is the ability to keep information in mind while using it to complete a task or deal with a challenge. For example, it's the capacity to juggle various bits of information as you do a math problem or keep the characters straight as you read a story. It helps you hold your goal in mind, resist distractions and inhibit impulsive choices, so it's critical to learning and planning.

A consistent research finding is that addiction-related cues hinder working memory. Interestingly, alcoholics who underwent one month of training to improve working memory saw a decrease in alcohol intake and better scores on working memory. In other words, improving working memory seems to strengthen impulse control.

In the porn-imagery experiment, 28 healthy individuals performed working-memory tasks using 4 different sets of pictures, one of which was pornographic. Participants also rated the pornographic pictures with respect to sexual arousal and masturbation urges prior to, and after, pornographic picture presentation. Results showed that working memory was worst during the porn viewing and that greater arousal augmented the drop. (More of the researchers' analysis below.)

So, will you be all set if you just close the porn tabs while doing algebra? It's a good start, but keep reading.

Porn and long-term impact on concentration

The above study only measured the effects of short-term erotica use. However, addiction neuroscientists have repeatedly shown that Internet addiction produces lasting memory and concentration problems in some users.

Judging from the rapid improvements that some users often see after they quit porn, it appears that one needn't be an addict to be adversely affected.

Before we analyze the relevant research, let's consider what ex-users report about post-porn changes in concentration. (More self-reports can be found at the end of this post.):

  • "This may have nothing to do with it but since I've quit my thinking and my mind have become a lot sharper. As I mentioned above I enrolled in online college classes I seriously kicked *** in these classes. My ability to retain knowledge is many times stronger and I can focus much better."
  • "I have noticed I can retain pictorial information significantly better than pre-reboot. Discovered it by accident when I looked at a diagram in a text book and realised I did not need to look at it again as I could still recall the image in good detail. Can also remember faces better."
  • "I am able to get more work done both at my job and in my part-time business. I can concentrate for longer."
  • "I have felt massive memory improvements during the course of my reboot [abstention from masturbation to porn]. I feel like I'm mentally switched on and present for the first time in my life. I now have an attention span. I feel like for the previous 10 years I couldn't focus on anything and I couldn't remember anything."
  • "[Day 68] I feel like my brain is healing.  When I started this re-boot, I listed the following symptoms that I felt like weight on my shoulders:
    1. lack of motivation
    2. irritability
    3. brain fog
    4. inability to concentrate
    5. mood swings
    6. social anxiety
  • Today, I am proud to state here that I no longer suffer from any of these symptoms.  My moods are much more "steady".  People are starting to notice.  The anxiety is GONE. My concentration is crystal clear; my motivation for life is very high."

Improved concentration and memory are among the most commonly reported post-porn benefits, and they may be explained by the reversal of addiction-related brain changes. (Other frequently reported benefits after giving up highspeed porn are decreased social anxiety and depression, improved sexual performance, greater attraction to real mates, seeing potential partners as people rather sex-aids, and return to earlier sexual tastes.)

What do the scientists say?

Neuroscientists have recently isolated addiction-related brain changes that could account for cognitive impairment, such as decreased gray matter in the frontal cortex and disorganized white matter. Not surprisingly, brain studies show that Internet addicts suffer from impaired inhibitory control and increased impulsivity. (Note that while some of the Internet addiction studies discussed in this section include online erotica use, none isolate it—unlike the working memory experiment that is the subject of this post.)

Brain studies on Internet addicts also reveal another change that can impair concentration: a measurable decline in dopamine signaling. Dopamine is central to concentration, focus, motivation and memory formation, and low dopamine signaling is strongly associated with poor working memory (monkeys too) and ADHD.

Boredom warning signIt appears that inattention (which in turn impairs memory) is really caused by lack of motivation (reduced D2 dopamine receptors). Tasks seem boring or uninteresting. Decreased dopamine signaling in the brain's reward circuitry is a hallmark of all addictions. 

Researchers measuring dopamine transporters in people with Internet addiction said:

Taken together, these results suggest that IAD [Internet addiction disorder] may cause serious damage to the brain and the neuroimaging findings further illustrate IAD is associated with dysfunctions in the dopaminergic brain systems. Our findings also support the claim that IAD may share similar neurobiological abnormalities with other addictive disorders.

Questionnaire-based Internet addiction studies (that is, studies without brain imaging) have also found decreased working memory, poor information processing and impaired executive control. Their results also line up with ADD/ADHD findings.

The most significant bit of evidence may come from one study, which also followed recovering Internet addicts. Brain scans showed reversal of brain changes and better cognitive function. Said one group of researchers:

After treatment, in all groups, the [Internet Addiction] score was lowered significantly ... and scores of short-term memory capacity and short-term memory span increased significantly.

In other words, perhaps a more long-term strategy is called for than just closing porn tabs while doing homework.

'Don't forget' stickyCues, Cravings and Addiction

Researchers designed the current working-memory study in part because individual porn users report problems during or after Internet porn consumption, such as neglecting or forgetting responsibilities, missing appointments and losing sleep, leading to negative consequences. The scientists note that their findings might indicate the cognitive mechanisms contributing to loss of control over use of Internet porn:

Internet sex participants' executive functioning could be reduced during their engagement in Internet sex, since [working memory] is a necessary and important factor of goal-directed behaviors. ... One might argue that if subjects' attention to sexual stimuli and subsequent sexual arousal interfered with executive functioning and decision making, then they might be less able to monitor and control their own Internet sex use.

Researchers emphasized that subjective arousal while watching porn is the main predictor of degree of problems from Internet sex (as opposed to time spent watching and various other factors). The scientists noted parallels with substance addicts, for whom addiction-related cues lead to stronger attention capturing, high craving and an increased probability of relapse. They propose that a strong need to masturbate in response to porn might reflect underlying cravings and signal the presence of addiction.

In short, porn users who quit porn and then notice improvements in concentration and memory aren't imagining those improvements. The evidence suggests the improvements come down to the reversal of addiction-related alterations in the brain.

More self-reports relevant to concentration and Internet porn use:

"I think I'm on day thirteen or so now. I feel very focused and can concentrate better than usual. I keep eye contact when talking to people, and socialising feels more stable. I think my voice is deeper and sounds less "bothered" and more clear."

"When I was [using Internet porn] I had like this brain fog or constant hungover-like feeling, which made it hard for me to concentrate, talk to people or just do my everyday tasks. After 7-10 days this feeling went away. My mind became very clear, thoughts easy controllable, and I became much more relaxed in general."

"My memory has improved. I have very explicit dreams. Conversation is easy. I feel hungry again (metaphorically speaking)."

"I feel much more in control and calm now. Things are really going well for me now (in terms of my financial problems etc). My ability to concentrate and think logically has skyrocketed without the fog."

"I am currently at 14 days and it's an easy ride so far. The benefits I have noticed are vastly increased concentration and focus."

"Some of the benefits I have experienced: I am more sociable, I can retain and remember information a lot better. I remember events in my past life a lot better. I am not irritable, and am more focused. I can execute tasks a lot faster."

"Another really significant change is dream frequency or dream recall. I have had, and remembered, more dreams than ever since quitting porn. Don’t know what it is. Maybe my brain was exhausted by the porn before bed and didn't have the energy to dream or something."

"14 days - I'm amazed at how I remember all these details about her, whereas previously I would just be looking at a girls boobs, and if they weren't fake I wasn't interested."

"I've found my vocabulary has returned to a level that I remember it being at years ago."

"I can do other things. I feel other things. I want and desire other things. I am no longer always seeking my next fix. Porn images don't have the power they once had over me, nor am I a lust-ball all day. I am starting to finally have a mind that has the concentration to think about other things besides sex."

"Another result: my writing has gotten much better. I don't mean handwriting (though that got better too). I mean word choice, sentence structure, etc. During my first year of graduate school (which I just finished), writing was a real chore. Now, after no-porn, it's a pleasure. So easy and free. I have more words at my disposal, probably because my memory has improved in general."

90 days: -Much less anxiety -More discipline -Improved memory and focus -Increased sex drive with my girlfriend -More assertive -Better judgment.

"[6 weeks] My concentration, my effort, my attention to detail, my memory, my recall, and my social skills have all improved."

"Around the time I started using porn a few years ago, my memory began to fog. My whole life since then seemed like an unidentifiable blob. Now, a few months into recovery, past memories are coming to me. At first, I was in disbelief that they even happened because they are so joyful and carefree. Yet finally, after being frustrated with this for so long, I feel like this IS my life, and those happy memories are real. I have been struggling to feel any connection with my past life and actions. Now that my past is flying back at me, and it all feels terrific. Also, dreams. Even dreams that happened months ago are coming back to me, and it is also quite enjoyable."

"What I have noticed for myself is that abstaining from [porn] has dramatically improved my memory. The interesting thing, which I didn't even realize until just now, is that my blood sugar has been much more stable since I have not been experiencing orgasms. There is a connection between memory and high glucose in the brain or low. I just didn't think about how stable it’s been since NO masturbation to porn. Perhaps dopamine has an effect on how the brain processes sugars."

"3 weeks - My memory is a lot better. I don't have those brain-fart moments like I use to. Now things come to me easily, which is good."

"I have more energy than before, horny as hell but I can control it. My memory has gotten better. And I've got that social guy, who once lived in me, back. I got my charm back and it is worth every sleepless night and frustrated minute that I spent fighting this addiction.""[90-day report] Clearer mind. My mind had never been more clear in my life within those three months. The lack of fapping and porn really gives you a lot of time to think about your own life and puts everything into perspective."

"Things I have noticed: decreased anxiety, less mood swings, more social, more confidence, more ballsy when it comes to girls, urge to improve myself, better concentration, smoother talking, good jokes: bad jokes ratio improvement, you get the idea."

"(Day 15) - Positive Attitude

  • - Motivation to do everyday tasks (and do them faster)
  • - Sharper memory
  • - More productive
  • - More creative
  • - Desire to take on and embrace responsibilities
  • - Clearer head
  • - Better ability to see the steps necessary to reach an end goal and to implement those steps
  • - CONFIDENCE RETURNING, and continually increasing
  • - General enjoyment of life
  • - More present/attentive in conversations with others
  • - Quicker wit, finding everything more humorous
  • - Greater desire to socialize with others"

"Memory - always had a good one - but quitting put it through the roof. I could enter a room of 15 people and learn+ recall specifically all their phone numbers in under 5 min. GPA 4.  Social anxiety and BS negative thinking ----> out with the trash."

Comments

Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/18/2012 - 14:32.

Study Shows Working Memory Is Driven By Prefrontal Cortex And Dopamine

December 18, 2012

One of the unique features of the human mind is its ability re-prioritize its goals and priorities as situations change and new information arises. This happens when you cancel a planned cruise because you need the money to repair your broke-down car, or when you interrupt your morning jog because your cell phone is ringing in your pocket.

In a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), researchers from Princeton University say that they have discovered the mechanisms that control how our brains use new information to modify our existing priorities.

The team of researchers at Princeton’s Neuroscience Institute (PNI) used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan subjects and find out where and how the human brain reprioritizes goals. Unsurprisingly, they found that the shifting of goals takes place in the prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain which is known to be associated with a variety of higher-level behaviors. They also observed that the powerful neurotransmitter dopamine – also known as the “pleasure chemical” – appears to play a critical role in this process.

Using a harmless magnetic pulse, the scientists interrupted activity in the prefrontal cortex of the participants while they were playing games and found they were unable to switch to a different task in the game.

“We have found a fundamental mechanism that contributes to the brain’s ability to concentrate on one task and then flexibly switch to another task,” explained Jonathan Cohen, co-director of PNI and the university’s Robert Bendheim and Lynn Bendheim Thoman Professor in Neuroscience.

“Impairments in this system are central to many critical disorders of cognitive function such as those observed in schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder.”

Previous research had already demonstrated that when the brain uses new information to modify its goals or behaviors, this information is temporarily filed away into the brain’s working memory, a type of short-term memory storage. Until now, however, scientists have not understood the mechanisms controlling how this information is updated.

USING GAMES TO PINPOINT DECISION-MAKING

Together with the study’s lead author Kimberlee D’Ardenne of Virginia Tech as well as fellow researchers Neir Eshel, Joseph Luka, Agatha Lenartowicz and Leight Nystrom, Cohen and his team devised a study that allowed them to scan the brains of their subjects while they played a game. The game required the participants to press specific buttons depending on different visual cues. If they were shown the letter A before the letter X, they were asked to press a button labeled “1”. However, if they saw the letter B before the X, then they had to press a button labeled “2”.

In an earlier version of the task, however, participants were first asked to press the 1 button when they saw X regardless of which letters preceded it. Thus the A and B rule that was introduced in the second round served as the ‘new information’ that the participant had to use in order to update their goal of deciding which button to press.

Examining the fMRI afterwards, the researchers found increased activity in the right prefrontal cortex when participants were completing the more complex task that involved making a decision between two buttons based on the visual cues A and B. This was not the case, however, for the simpler version of the task.

Cohen’s results corroborate the findings of his own previous research project from 2010 which used a different scanning method to measure the timing of brain activity.

In the current study, the research team also delivered short magnetic pulses to the prefrontal cortex in order to confirm that this is in fact the brain region involved in updating working memory. Basing the timing of the pulse on the previous study, the scientists delivered the magnetic pulse at the precise moment when they believed the right prefrontal cortex should be updating memory. They found that if they delivered the pulse exactly 0.15 seconds after the participants saw the letters A or B, they were unable to hit the correct button. They were thus able to use the magnetic pulse to disrupt the memory-updating process.

“We predicted that if the pulse was delivered to the part of the right prefrontal cortex observed using fMRI, and at the time when the brain is updating its information as revealed by EEG, then the subject would not retain the information about A and B, interfering with his or her performance on the button-pushing task,” explained Cohen.

DOPAMINE AS THE GATEKEEPER OF OUR WORKING MEMORY

In the last part of the experiment, Cohen’s team wanted to test their theory that the neurotransmitter dopamine is responsible for tagging new information and important for updating working memory and goals as it enters the prefrontal cortex. Dopamine is a naturally occurring chemical that is known to play key roles in a number of mental processes like the ones that involve motivation and reward.

To do this, the team again used the fMRI to scan a region called the midbrain that is densely populated with specialized nerve cells – known as dopaminergic nuclei – that are responsible for producing most of the brain’s dopamine signals. The researchers tracked the activity of these dopamine-emitting nerve cells while participants performed the tasks and found a significant correlation between brain activity in these areas and in the right prefrontal cortex.

“The remarkable part was that the dopamine signals correlated both with the behavior of our volunteers and their brain activity in the prefrontal cortex,” explained Cohen.

“This constellation of findings provides strong evidence that the dopaminergic nuclei are enabling the prefrontal cortex to hold on to information that is relevant for updating behavior, but not information that isn’t.”

Professor David Badre of Brown University, a specialist in cognitive, linguistic and psychological sciences, believes that the work of Cohen’s team represents a large step forward in science’s attempt to understand how our brain updates its working memory.

Submitted by admin on Sat, 12/22/2012 - 21:20.

Anyone notice a memory increase? (ignore badge I'm resetting)

KojaKhan

Yeah dude. Every damn day I would yell across the house at whoever was around: "Where's my hat??!" "Where are my shoes!!!" "Anybody seen my keys? My keys have vanished!". A week into NoFap on my first time and I remembered where I dropped my shit, and things that my parents had asked me to do. It was awesome.

Kusak

Definitely. Excessive masturbation for me, has resulted in symptoms such as eye floaters, hand tremors, poor memory, acne, brain fog, fatigue and a lack of concentration. I thought these symptoms were scams by several websites in order to sell their products until I began experiencing them for myself.

Had my longest streak ever recently: 19 days and I must say I noticed an improvement in both my memory and concentration. I also felt less fatigued all the time.

 

Submitted by admin on Sat, 12/22/2012 - 21:22.

Damn you, Brain fog. 

 by SonicFl00d

I have been an avid fapper since the age of 12 and and a couple of days ago i began nofap. It has been Three days and this "brain fog" is slowly dissipating.

I have been it a horribly dense fog for the past 3 1/2 years that i thought that i would never get out of and have accepted this as how i will always be, it has been complete hell. The past few days have been the happiest of my life, i can focus, I am more alert and feel amazing compared to my normal run down state of mind.

But, although most of the time the fog is gone, I have been incredibly pissed off at absolutely nothing, right now i am mashing the hell out of my computer keys due to rampant source-less anger. I am really typing this so I can get some support from you guys so i don't go back to the my old shitty habits.

Submitted by admin on Sun, 12/23/2012 - 19:03.

Musings on day 50, benefits, nofap fact-checking. 

BRAIN FOG EXISTS: During each of the binges, I can FEEL the brain fog happening. I've seen porn a couple of times during moments of weakness and the act of MO, or edging is not necessary for fog to come back. Just viewing porn and allowing those feelings to flood through causes it. Each time takes several days to reset back to normal but it appears to be a thing that gets faster each time. I have also noticed for the first time about 40 days into this that I have no interest in seeing anything hardcore and even when clicking on it it's not arousing. I had several different things that I found arousing (not quite fetishes) that had gathered over the years and I could definitely tell that my brain was cycling through them almost chronologically . The thing my brain 'craves' now is just pictures of amateur girls, only softcore. I did have a few moments of weakness with edging early on and I definitely can tell that things were more sensitive. I would venture a guess that I would not last long these days.

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/09/2013 - 13:13.

Strange effects of NoFap

by TheVeeginator20 days

Just to start off with, a little bit of background. From 16, I used to PMO at least 3 times a day (very often more). I used to get awesome grades but was terrible with women and society in general. Then I got to university and as my raging hormones calmed down, my PMO'ing did not.

This somehow led to my desensitization and non-motivation to a lot of things - including women. This basically meant that I said what I wanted when I wanted however I wanted because I just didn't care about the consequences (I think as a result of the brain being numbed down through all my PMO'ing - if a girl rejected me, it didn't matter because I could find pixels 10x better than any girl I could ever get).

So women started becoming attracted to me because of my unintentional relaxed confidence in speech and attitude. I didn't have the inclination to act on it because as mentioned before, there were pixels and if I did act on it, I couldn't get it up well enough to have enjoyable PIV anyway. As this started happening, my grades started slipping, I found it harder to remember things.....it was like my brain had become static. I used to have a near-photographic memory that turned into forgetting people's names (one thing I used to make it a point specifically never to do).

Since I started NoFap 20 days ago, my brain has become ridiculously sharper, to the point where I feel like I've never been better intellectually. I can focus longer, remember more and I can just absorb information almost as well as in high school (after 20 days!). On the social side, I am also going back to my high school days. I've gone back to being a socially awkward, nervous mess. I'm overthinking conversations instead of acting instinctively on things, making small talk (something I considerably improved on when I was desensitized) almost impossible.

My ED has now gone away and I am ready to chase girls again, but my overanalysis of situations has made this harder than ever before. Just wanted to get this off my chest and ask if anyone else has had this experience?

TL;DR Before NoFap = good social skills, good with women (but no motivation to pursue) and terrible brain. After NoFap = terrible social skills, terrible with women and incredible brain.

kito9911 days

Same type of situation here. I'm only 11 days in, but I feel like I'm slowing (and I'm happy it is) reverting to my brain-fog free high school mind.

My concentration is better, motivation to do well in school is back, and most importantly my desire to socialize is better. But yep, I was also an over-thinker back then, and I feel it creeping back. It'll go away. It's something that can definitely be worked on, improved with confidence and time. The brain fog is what the real problem is. Keep it off, and you've got the right person to handle the social skills issue.

Most importantly, try to spend more time with friends, and as little time as possible on the computer.

Good luck.

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/09/2013 - 13:59.

Who has cured derealization/depersonalization/brain fog?

So I've experienced a constant buzz of brain fog for the past several years. Essentially started to drift in towards my last year of High School all the way until now (~persistient for the past 9 years). At times I wondered if it was actually brain fog or if it was just actually me being, well, me.

But when the brain fog did wear off in those off, randomly occuring instances in the past few years, it felt great. Felt like I was the "real me" again, capable of doing anything, and everything. It would last only a day or so, I'd have incredible energy, be able to connect well with everyone, and truly feel alive. Then the brain fog would wear in again and zombie mode would initiate. I'd go back to the lazy, droning, unmotivated "shell" of a real person for a period of time until I'd get another break in the clouds.

So I've always known that there was something "wrong" in my perception ability, and would only really notice it when I'd be on the other side of the fence; when the brain fog would clear up.

Recently (11 days now), I've stopped fapping and looking at porn (I was the 1 or 2 a day type), and have noticed that the brain fog is gone. Not faded out, not just thinner, but GONE.

I breathe, and feel it. I see people, and look in their eyes. I know where I am, what I'm doing, what time it is, and what I have to do in the next hours, days, weeks. I can stay focused for much longer periods of time and feel motivated to do tons of things at once. I have a skip in my step and really look around and see a whole different world.

Most importantly, it's me. The real me. The me that's always been blinded by the mundane drag-down of brain fog.

I still have a long way to go. Almost a decade of being "in the dark" isn't something easy to transition from in terms of habits and time management, but the person is there, and I've got the motivation to turn it all around.

So yes, in my opinion, brain fog (or "derealization") is definitely linked to addictions, excessive internet use. Fapping was my addiction, my "escape", but was also what was causing this "tunnel vision" or brain fog of a sort that just told my brain to stick to the bare basics and forego any other important thing in life. It wanted the porn, the fapping, the orgasm, nothing else.

Sorry about the length. Stop the porn, the fapping is all in the mind. Tell your close friends about what you're doing. Look forward to seeing the badge timer count up. Set a "minimum" (doesn't have to be 90 days) but make it so that it's the "longest" you've gone without fapping.

Stay real, just like in the matrix; you choose if you either want to stay in your familiar "sense" of what is reality, or take the other pill and dive in to what is the real and complete you. The you that has unlocked and can achieve your full potential and live a complete, and happy life.

Good luck.

Submitted by admin on Sun, 01/13/2013 - 13:49.

Obligatory 90-day, and where I'm going from here...

fapnevermore91 days

91 days, whatever--I think it's a little behind anyway.

Background: Divorced single Dad, 38, never had any huge problem with porn, MO maybe 3-4x/wk. Stumbled across this sub, read for a bit, and jumped in. I've always been a very self-disciplined person, I typically just need a reason to do something. Reading all the benefits/experiences/etc, was all I needed.

Now, my experiences. Truthfully, it was pretty easy for me--as I said before, I just need a good reason to do something, and I'm all in. Reading other people's experiences on relapse was definitely a great motivator as well, I knew that I would feel like crap, and I didn't want that.

I started a new job that I've been chasing for a year about a month into this, and have found it's so much easier to concentrate and get things done. As others have said, the 'brainfog' is gone, and I feel much more alert, and have a clarity of thinking that is awesome. I did get the week-in testosterone spike, which was awesome!

Regarding flatlines/etc. I did experience a couple of these, but it wasn't bad. Having dealt with real depression, a sexual libido flatline is really nothing. In fact, I'm not so sure that 'flatline' is accurate. I'm thinking it's more of a natural cycle, almost like women have. Anyway, I'm currently in the 'horny-as-balls' stage, so that's kind of nice.

Forgot to mention, this has been hard-mode. There is someone that I've seen on and off for the last year or so, but we've not spent that kind of time together since I began. But the next time, watch out! No wet dreams, I did have a little discharge yesterday morning after I woke up, but no orgasm. I'm not having another orgasm without a woman, period.

So I've done the 90 days, but there is no end in sight to this. I have no intention of going back to that ever, but I won't beat myself up if it happens a time or two. But, it will never become a habit again.

 

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/29/2013 - 11:50.

How I changed my life in 30 days (and why you should too)

I have been trying and failing at nofap for approximately 9 months. But the one thing I never did was give up and get to that point where I told my self that theres no way I will be able to stop watching porn or masturbating.

Since then, I have changed my life completely.

-I started waking up at 6am everyday feeling energized (before with fapping, I would feel exhausted waking up). The difficult part is forcing yourself to go to bed at 10am while everyone else is up.

  • My concentration in class has increased dramatically! Seriously for those of you who are in Uni or College, NoFap is a miracle for the brain. Before I used to have to force myself to concentrate in class and would still end up "zoning out" whereas now, I can concentrate in a 3 hour lecture with almost no issues (its still improving).

-My mind just feels clearer and I can think much more creatively. Memory is also far better, Im a lot less forgetful.

  • Around day 23, I started noticing that girls are flirting with me a lot more.

-My physique is improving and Im becoming far more confident. I walk upright now and am far better at keeping eye contact and just being that social individual.

-Yesterday I asked a girl I really liked out, and she said yes. Infact it surprised me because she was really into me and quite nervous too (which is something im not used to). Really taught me about self-worth and that I AM good enough. This also makes me not want to watch porn either (for her).

What have I become? An overall well balanced and happy individual. My friends have told me that I seem a lot different now a days. My sleep is perfect, my gyming and eating habbits are now in order, my academics have improved greatly for sure and my social life has become great.

The point is to not give up. It took me 9 Months of constant failure to get to this position and I sure as hell am not giving it up. Perhaps I may give in or fail in a couple days, weeks, months who knows? But I sure as hell will not stop. The point isnt failure guys (of getting to 90 days), its getting back up and doing it over and over again until you realize that you've become that person you always wanted to be.

30 days and my life has changed from the depressed, anti-social, low confidence, brain-fogged, numb individual to who I am now. I am still improving. I hope this will motivate some of you do NoFap with additional things to improve quickly all around.

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/29/2013 - 20:54.

I've gained 'super-powers', and I've seen this mental state before. I've had super powers the whole time, just for only 10 seconds at a time. (self.pornfree)

 vawksel48 days

I've been so unable to explain how this last 48 days has affected my mental state. I keep saying things like "my brain is in a different mode of operation", "i'm more alpha male", "i'm so confident", but I realized just an hour ago that I've seen this "mental state" before, in fact, I saw it every day.

Every time, right after ejaculation, I would feel incredibly clear headed, focused, motivated, and ready to take on the world... For about 10 SECONDS. Then that would fade, and I'd be back into thinking about playing a video game, or watching TV.

Well, that 10 seconds is the mental state i'm in now. That's the sneak peak behind the brain that was stuck in a lustful state, I saw it so many times, nearly every day. I now realize that that's the state I feel in ALL THE TIME now. I'm always clear headed, focused and ready to take on the world, from when I wake up, til I go to bed.

So, if you can relate to those few seconds experienced after each time we got our jollies, THAT's what you get to look forward to upon success.

For me, the light switch really started to flip at day 28, and besides some ups and downs, at day 48 now I'm just beaming. :-)

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/30/2013 - 10:49.

Does anyone notice an increase in memory/concentration?

This is one of the main reasons i'm thinking of giving this a go. I've noticed my memory start deteriorating over the years and im not sure if its fapping that could be causing it. I do usually fap about 2-3 times a day btw. And while I have seen a few people attest to increased memory, I wanted to see if its a general benefit people experience

REPLY 1)

Absolutely! I've noticed an increase in my concentration during classes. Even if I'm not interested in the material being presented, I am able to follow along and not zone out.

REPLY 2)

Well I can't particularly say that in my longest streak thus far (kind of a sad small handful of 8 days) that I was any more capable of focusing. I think what did happen, though, was that I was more willing to confront problems and deal patiently with frustrating or boring situations instead of trying to escape them. I was more present mentally.

Submitted by popapape on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 05:29.

Yes, there will be improvement in memory and energy levels.ability to cope pressure and difficult circumstances also increases as brain is relieved of ....

Submitted by admin on Fri, 04/19/2013 - 08:22.

93 Days!

by gentthaci94 days

It's been 93 days and I think I can go forever. I think I haven't felt this good for as long as I can remember. I am 18 years old in high school with ADHD (I don't take drugs) and Sleep Apnea. I feel shitty most of the times if I don't get a lot of sleep and if I don't exercise which gets me tired. Doing NoFap for 90 days, taking daily vitamins and fish oil every morning, being proactive has helped myself a lot. I can concentrate in homework more, be more productive in life and many other things. Life is good.

Submitted by admin on Wed, 04/24/2013 - 11:46.

link to reddit/nofap thread -

Anybody a false positive for ADD/ADHD before finding this sub?

 

Submitted by admin on Tue, 05/07/2013 - 12:08.

The dopamine thing. What if you have ADHD?

Hey guys, We all know that dopamine plays a role in the PMO addiction. My question is, what came first, a possible dopamine deficiency problem that leads one to PMO or the PMO that creates the dopamine problems down the road?

I have ADHD and have a pretty hard time focusing. I think that initially masturbating is what helped me calm down and focus as I assume my brain was low on dopamine. Obviously then it escalated to porn years later which is definitely not healthy. The reason I bring this up is because I can give up porn very easily. Giving up masturbating is a little more tough. I'm currently 38 days in and have previously gone 90 days without PMO. However, I'm still pretty uninterested in women and my focus hasn't gotten that much better. My mood is slightly more stable and improved though.

Do any of you suffer from ADHD? I occasionally will take my meds which instantly calm me down, boost my mood, and I can focus. Believe it or not, I am much more into women on them too and have always met a few girls while the pill is "on". Perhaps it's because I can turn off all the background noise and crap in my brain and focus on what's in front of me.

Anyhow, I'm wondering if getting on my meds again will help with the NoFap or if the meds that are boosting my dopamine will cause me to further create a dopamine problem? I haven't used my meds during this 38 day stretch which is a small victory. But I think I should still be performing much higher at life. Any thoughts?

amirborna131

I have adhd and took adderall for 2 years. After NoFap about 40 days in I can't stand it anymore and don't take adderall.

I have to put much more effort into focusing but ultimately when I try without adderall, I end up performing better. My test grades don't lie

Gyrolin279 days

I'm with this guy. I was on 50mg vyvanse for 4+ years and I decided to come off of it by choice. It was a fucking terrible time, but I definitely couldn't focus as much. After about a month or so of nofap(2 years after stopping meds) I started seeing visible differences in my ability to concentrate and am doing quite well without the meds.

recover92153 days

i was diagnosed with ADHD when i was 6 (mid 1980s) i was put on ritalin and was able to pay attention in school after that. by the time i was 12-13 i was able to go off ritalin and able to cope with my ADHD through several copping mechanisms and a lot of mental focus.( i in no way think this is possible for everyone with ADHD and i do not recommend going off your medication without talking to your doctor) i started PMO when i was 11 and i didn't notice any changes to my pattern of PMO when i went off meds. i never found masturbation to be a coping technique for my ADHD. my advice to you is if you find your life easier on your meds stay on your meds. being on meds doesn't mean you are weak or broken. as too whether it will create a further dopamine problem, the science isn't really clear on that point yet. just know that you aren't alone.

MrSmithPrime2 days

I have ADHD and take Ritalin. Quitting fapping is easier when you're busy, but for the ADHD person, staying busy means jumping from one impulse to the next. I made it to Day 42 recently, after 8-9 week long stints and relapses, and I can't tell you how much it helped.

My advice is to stay on the meds regularly, and decide within yourself that "Today, I won't fap." and move on that day.

dota2nub 1 point2 hours ago

I had ADHD diagnosed and was on concerta (long acting form of ritalin) - maximum dosage. On day 8 of nofap, I kid you not, I quit my meds. I didn't even notice except a tiny drop in energy the next day that quickly filled back up.

 

Submitted by admin on Thu, 05/09/2013 - 14:06.

53 days report 

 by aj112 53 days

It was very hard to get here and it's my personal best so far after those days if i came by and watch porn i would found it silly, disgusting and way over what i want.

if any thing that can turn me on is a hot girl walk on the street but i know how to deal with this temptations by just ignoring them because there is nothing in the word deserve to spoil 53 days on it and by remembering that feeling after you relapse that depression feeling,frustration and that you think you will may commit suicide because you keep failing.

Now i can focus more than before . i memorize a lot of things with out keep forgetting it.

I'm not shy any more i can talk to a girl and make an eye contact while I'm talking with her . And now I can talk easily with them with out Stutter. and i can feel the real emotions when you like a girl.

It's totally worth it and I will continue my journey to day 90 or further more

Submitted by admin on Wed, 05/15/2013 - 18:10.

Glad to see increasing attention paid to this (http://blogs.psychcentral.com/sex-addiction/2013/03/the-power-of-porn-at...). As a 26 yo guy who has battled porn addiction for years, I hope there's a push to pass along this advice to the current crop of young chaps growing up in the smartphone age. It would have spared me much shame and embarrassment to know the risks of viewing pornography.

Interesting ties between ADHD/autism and sex addiction. I don't think I have any type of clinical behavioral abnormality (besides the weirdness inherent to every human being), but I have noticed a marked lack of focus and ability to function socially in the midst of a porn binge. I feel numb to everything, and my experiences don't stick to me or resonate as they should. My mind becomes a metaphorical cold, concrete wall: hard and unchanging, as well as stuck where it is. I can't appreciate another person's beauty or wit because I can't notice them. Methinks it's some kind of unconscious shame at what I've done in secret, and it's a terrible state. I'll be in this funk for so long that I'll start to believe it's really what my personality has changed into.

But then I'll go for a stretch of a month or so without relapsing. This normally coincides with religious inspiration of some kind. Or a turn at poetry or philosophy. I'll be able to understand nuance and make timely witticisms in the presence of an attractive female (the ultimate test) without backsliding into smutty thoughts about her. Self-control makes one feel so alive. It's about this time I get a girlfriend and eventually start a sexual relationship again, but then we'll break up or whatever and I'll be back at the computer filling the newfound urge, and destroying my mind all over again.