Orgasm, Ejaculation and neurochemical balance

Interesting hypothesis. I have a similar problem with ejaculation wherein during the refractory period, I become completely negative and just bum out. Saying this, I have rarely masturbated during stressful periods — and I'm pretty sure I get the reverse feelings during refractory. (Relaxed, calm, at ease)

But even then, I've abstained for two and a half weeks now, and I'm just afraid to let it pop. (Edging's fault, most likely) Somehow the thought of being flooded with negativity is too off-putting. Your idea of relieving sexual tension with Aneros is a good idea! Hopefully sexual tension doesn't get mixed with frustration.

I've quit porn a while back. I can't remember how long, but if I cared to count I'd probably still be hooked. About a couple of months I think.

I'd been masturbating to heavy porn since the age of about 13 (I'm 20 now,) so it's pretty ingrained into my brain and my sexuality. I suppose I got to thinking that everything I felt was normal, but after quitting I'm experiencing the opposite of some of those things you mentioned.

In other words, my motivation in general is better, my sexual sensitivity is much better (masturbation when I first quit was hard, but now it's pretty nice by itself,) and the world just seems like a more colorful place. Also, last I went to the store I actually felt confident that I looked good. Usually I don't think that highly of my appearance, and used to be one of the really fat kids in high school (230 lbs a few years ago, 155 now,) but I thought that looked more than just "ok" for some reason.

I don't want to sound preachy about being porn-free, but I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
It's hard, but the benefits are very tangible and worth the time and effort.

Porn basically increases dopamine, without the user expending any effort. So does sex and masturbation. So does drinking coffee. Also alcohol. You might add video games or movies into the mix.

I mean basically the argument comes down to, anything that causes substantial dopamine release, without much effort = according to you, low self esteem, low confidence, dulled senses.

Actually I would argue without recreation like the above, life is too dull. Why shouldn't we do things we like to do so long as we have reasonable moderation?

@Bartolo99
I emphatically agree with you.

Yeah! My argument is particularly against the "yourbrainonporn" site, which has an extremely black and white view and uses very biased science to prove its point.

I would think so long as one doesn't get addicted to porn, it shouldn't cause any serious problems.

This things can't be seriously discussed based only on some ramblings on a youtube video. Do your researchs if the subject interests you. As long as you are asking about neurochemicals, your sources should come from hospital knowledge and researches (real biochemistry for professionals). There is plenty of information available online. If you are more into the pragmatic/holistic experience your sources could be old tantra et taoist knowledge and tradition. If you are bold you could probably make an enhanced synthesis of this all. But if you don't do any homework you will get biaised rumours only.

Fun thing is, with the homework you will realise many parts of the equation have been overlooked even by the researchers. (Or i haven't been able to found it)

The journey is a treasure hunt. Don't let others rob you from your own research.

The OP, @Jspad, and @DarkEngine have some major isms regarding ejaculation. They substitute the Aneros for their prior rampant meat beating. In essence, they are robbing Peter to pay Paul. They are exhibiting the same behaviour(s), just through a different medium.

IMO negative connotations regarding ejaculation is not healthy and/or normal. It is a natural bodily function. Balance must be achieved and maintained, in regard to the prostate and the penis. If not chaos and tumult will occur.

@JspadI'm somewhat in the same boat. I've also been looking at porn since age 11-12 and I'm 19 now. Good thing you overcame your addiction and lost weight!


@Bartolo99
Yes I can see what you're saying. I don't think increase in dopamine itself is necessarily bad, as it's (obviously) a normal bodily function. I think the point they're trying to make is that today's hardcore pornograhpy causes a much bigger release in dopamine than what is 'normal', hence why it can be addictive.


@Canacan
Yes you're absolutely right. I'm not an expert in any way regarding these topics (despite the bad choosing of name for this topic :p). However, this is my own experience and it's highly conceptual. I don't perceive the youtube video as actual fact but more as a personal inspiration.

Well then, good on you Exodus. Too many people will jump to conclusions and make things black or white. The idea is to keep an open mind, really.

Addiction is addiction! Be it with porn, the Aneros, or anything else. A junkie is a junkie, regardless of their vice of choice.

Addiction is addiction! Be it with porn, the Aneros, or anything else. A junkie is a junkie, regardless of their vice of choice.

I entirely agree with that.

I'd also add that, deep down, the addiction is rarely caused by the vice but more the expression of a hidden personnal issue... Quite commonly it is repressed depression.

Well said. I think people are too easy to blame external factors for their addiction as a way to shove the responsibility off their shoulders. Statements like ''drugs ruined my life'' are IMO nonsense. It's not the drug or activity itself, but the personality of the person that is problematic. And of course, some things or substances are more addictive than others but it's still a choice one makes.

"IMO negative connotations regarding ejaculation is not healthy and/or normal. It is a natural bodily function"

I'm still on the fence coz it seems to me that something that has the ability to make new life, your sperm, is more than just another bodily function the functions are also necessary for the body to function, secreting sweat, defecating whatever.....I could easily not ejaculate for 2 weeks, but try not shitting for that length of time.
Also I notice more energy when I don't ejaculate and there are other more subtle differences...
That said, this year I've been ejaculating more coz these days it seems to be the only way to trigger the super orgasm and even when I don't ejaculate I notice my anerosless orgasms much stronger.

And Tao-ism also isn't complete quackery either, I'm on the fence...I've got an ulterior motive to want to believe ejaculating doesn't sap you of something important but what I read on the matter seemed logical as well...also what I discovered recently about how it's only in sperm that telomeres don't shorten, so basically don't age. And the Taoists always spoke of sperm energy as useful (rejuvenates)

@EhmI'm having the same thoughts. I think ancient knowledge should not be underestimated. It seems there needs to be done more research regarding this subject (although I wouldn't know what to actually look for or the research question).
In the meanwhile everyone should probably just do what works best for them...

As I said before, I don't want to sound preachy. Porn isn't a problem for everyone, and I don't want to rub anyone the wrong way. Personally, though, I've found some benefit from quitting.

One benefit is that I seem more motivated lately. I don't have to force motivation as often.

Another is that I don't have to motivate myself to play video games lately, I feel at least somewhat compelled to play them. It's something I definitely want to grow, as gaming is my passion and I want to become a video game programmer. When I was a little kid, I could NEVER get enough video games!

Also my sexual sensitivity is slowly but consistently creeping upwards. It's much easier lately to feel random pleasures in my body.

the problem with porn is that it creates this desensitizing effect. What you looked at last week may not do it for you this week so you need something more stimulating. This eventually leads to liking things you would have never thought would turn you on, but hey, here you are looking at scat and piss play LOL. Its definitely a slippery slope. @jspad, good for you, im sure its not easy quitting porn but I agree with you that is probably best to quit, if "you" felt it was the right thing to do. You sound like your much happier because of quitting. 😉

I've only recently realized that I might be addicted to porn. Quite a shock to me since I consider myself someone who never has any problems with addiction.

I have been looking at it fairly regularly since I was 14. Over the last two years I have been making efforts to curb my use, but not going to happen in near future. The reason being, I guess I am not seeing bad effects from it yet. I have a girlfriend, my social life is good enough for me, I'm almost graduated from college. I'm sure I could do better with life without porn but it isn't crippling me at least.

I agree with the spirit of your post though. I think guys need to find a way to not "bottom out" too much. Even though I look at porn almost daily, I do not usually orgasm to it more than once or twice a week. I think every guy should practice orgasm control. It gives you a lift to be able to get some arousal but not bottom out. I think the aneros is helpful with this since it helps you to focus on secondary, non-ejaculatory stimulation. To me, it is ejaculating too often that makes me feel drained or uninterested.

@mkts If watching everyday is not sign of an addiction, I wonder what is.
Can you come without porn? If not then you know you have nasty side effect already.

@mkts If watching everyday is not sign of an addiction, I wonder what is.
Can you come without porn? If not then you know you have nasty side effect already.

I can get off without it fine, although I view it as "enhancement" in most cases. It is strange because I started viewing it at a relatively early age so it has been with me as I grow up. I give it more thought now, but it still hasn't really effected me in a way that makes me feel compelled to quit.

I don't think viewing porn every day means that @mkts is addicted. I think that if he feels compelled to watch porn every day, he might be.

He may read the newspaper everyday or go for a walk every day or shower everyday. It does not mean he is addicted.

If these activities delivered the same level of drugs in the brain on a dailiy basis it would be considered an addiction too.

@Canacun, I suppose some people are addicted to exercise for the same reason. For that endorphin release! I suppose it's really the body's (or mind's) response to the input that determines addiction. Unless it is due to OCD.

Addiction is addiction, regardless of what one is addicted to. Sex, drugs, alchohol, Aneros use, food, shopping, or whatever. A junkie is a junkie.

I agree, Longshanks. It might sound bad to some people, but often I am looking at softcore or even just sexy clothes on stuff as well as reading erotic "manga". This is while carrying on with life in normal fashion and it is usually pretty light. I think if you are imagining me plugged into the computer for hours a day watching hardcore porn, that might sound more unhealthy than what the reality I am referring to is.

What it comes down to is whether or not it is harmful. I really don't think I would be doing it if I felt that it was harming me.

Addiction is addiction, regardless of what one is addicted to. Sex, drugs, alchohol, Aneros use, food, shopping, or whatever. A junkie is a junkie.

Absolutely not. There are many addictions that are much more difficult to quit than others. I emphatically disagree.

Are not the same chemicals being released in the junkie's mind, regardless of the addiction? Is not the reward center of the brain being stimulated, no matter the addiction? Ergo, a junkie is a junkie.

The frequency of a habit (for example looking porn everyday) is not enough to determine an addiction IMO. There has to be more involved to draw such a conclusion (withdrawal symptoms e.g.). I mean I mess around on my computer every day for a minimum of 4 hours but in no way am I addicted to that behavior as I can perfectly function without it. In the same way it might be possible that mkts is not addicted to porn. Basically the same thing Longshanks said.

@PspotsquirterI partially disagree. I think you only illustrate the case of an extreme addiction but there is a lot that is in between and that's where the different type of addictions probably differ from each other.

Chemical addictions, tobacco, alcohol, drugs affect the brains chemistry. The user can face violent effects from withdrawal so much that some users only take enough to be normal. The effects from Heroin or Alcohol withdrawal have occasionally resulted in death.
Yes, both types of addiction effect the brains pleasure center and can cause the release of endorphins, but chemical addictions are far worse. The chemicals actually cross the blood/brain barrier and change the chemistry in the brain.

Why are people so averse to recognising an addiction, even in others ?

We all may have some addictions, first thing is to learn to recognise them before they govern our lives. Shame or denial is not the clever option. Sometimes you may decide you stand by your addiction for some reason... But denial wont ever help you keep anything at bay.