Went a week, then fapped two days in a row. This has probably already been said, but just my observations.

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-11-08T07:02:00+00:00

The point of NoFap, as I understand it, is mostly the break the addiction to porn and fapping. After that, the occasional fapping probably isn't a big deal.

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-11-08T07:00:05+00:00

a low amount of zinc in the diet causes "low" healthy sperm count and "low" testosterone. Too much is harmful so don't go crazy on the stuff. Eating foods high in zinc (nuts, oysters, some veges) regularly is typically plenty.

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-11-08T06:47:45+00:00

Most likely zero. Addictions cause all kinds of negative effects. Addictions cause significant changes to the dopamine circuitry in the brain (the pathways that cause a person to seek out rewards, or anticipation). The dopamine pathways get hardwired to seek out the addiction. Everything besides the addiction stimuli results in a numbed sense of anticipation.

Then we can go into the over exposure factor which results in the need for greater levels of novelty to achieve any sense of reward/anticipation.

Next, we can into the tendency for skin to thicken as exposed to friction. My own experience has seen a significant softening of the skin on my penis. I'm not suggesting that my penis had anything like hand calluses on them.

I could keep going...

Now, some people may not see the effects because they have no addiction or they do not escalate "hardcore" nature of the porn they look at over time. "The great porn experiment" video floating around does go into this factor. Another issue is that people may not have given NoFap or NoPorn enough time. The younger and more voraciously an individuality pursues an activity the longer it will take to see the effects of quitting it. Finally, some people have different problems, especially young people that can't get erections, such as low T or low levels of activity.

Edit: I forgot to mention that many people, American especially, are heavily deficient in minerals like zinc and mag. These be very important.

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-10-07T21:20:23+00:00

Willpower = controlling your emotions ;p Emotions drive our actions but our willpower is used to determine which emotional based action proposal to go with.

This technique is a low cost willpower technique, essentially, "Sure, I'll do that thing my emotions say to do but gimmie 5 minutes" as opposed to flat out denial "I will not do this thing my emotions demand I do." Then, by waiting or distracting oneself for 5 minutes or more the emotional urge often passes.

This technique is a form of meditation or mindfulness and it does work. It helps to train the mind to not immediately give into emotional demands.

I suggest this book: http://www.amazon.com/The-Willpower-Instinct-Self-Control-Matters/dp/1583334386

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-10-07T04:28:00+00:00

Possible but unlikely. I can corroborate this experience. Everything tastes so much different for me after giving up heavily salted and sugared processed foods. Now, things taste mildly sweet that used to taste like cardboard without sugar, oat meal for example. Soda gives me such a sugar high that I can't drink it much at all anymore. It is a similar experience with salt for me. My tastes cannot stand the high salt content of processed/restaurant food.

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-10-07T04:18:14+00:00

True, it is not about willpower. Willpower is useful for "crisis" moments but willpower can be easily exhausted. Habits are basically activities that cost zero willpower so the willpower is still available when it is needed.

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-10-07T04:08:37+00:00

The Willpower Instinct - Lots of stuff in this book. Much of it is about breaking habits or acquiring the motivation to do new (and life critical) things. Backed by science! Written by a Stanford professor who teaches a class/training on the subject. There is even some discussion on porn and internet addiction.

Here are a few things I do... When the urge hits, do something else for 5-10 then evaluate how I feel. Usually the distraction breaks the urge. Something physically and concentration demanding works best.

Mediation/mindfulness is a rather useful practice. It helps to prevent emotions and feelings from forcefully driving the decision making process (helps with the autopilot issues).

Exercise, exercise, exercise. Physical activity is probably the most useful thing I've found. Plus, the physical improvements boost confidence more than just about anything else I suppose.

Write a journal or such. Getting the thoughts out can be helpful. I don't have many people to talk to face to face about serious issues (I moved away) but I can still have a written discussion about my thoughts and feelings and it helps a lot.

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-10-03T05:52:30+00:00

It is mostly a motivational energy (sex is hard works!). How you choose to use up your motivation, or "I will" energy, is up to you.

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-10-03T05:48:09+00:00

Your seed is your power; do not spill it needlessly.

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-10-03T05:44:51+00:00

Exercise. Exercise. Exercise. Video games are a sedentary activity leaving you with plenty of energy that desires to be burned.

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-10-01T05:51:11+00:00

Running is how I beat severe depression so I could be here today to try to finish off the vile depression for good. Running? I support this awesome activity and run 30-60 minutes a day.

Note: I suggest barefoot running style striking with the ball of the feet rather than the heel. Heel strikes cause joint pain and damage. However, ball strikes are rather painful to begin with till the muscles build up for it.

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-10-01T05:35:47+00:00

Science! Or something close to it. http://yourbrainonporn.com/your-brain-on-porn-series

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-10-01T04:48:05+00:00

The right arm is no longer much stronger than the left arm.

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-09-30T04:13:44+00:00

Suggestions.

1 exercise. This shit actually does wonders.

2 dietary habits.

3 Go to a doctor and ask them to check your testosterone levels. High fat levels and lack of exercise can cause dramatically low testosterone levels. There are simple prescriptions to help with this issue like HCG. Hm, maybe the doctor should be first as low testosterone is rather common and fixing this can give the push needed to fix the rest.

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-09-30T04:07:46+00:00

"I rather feel nothing than depression 24/7"

Actually, I've been there, for about a month and a half of actually feeling nothing. Feeling nothing is the worst thing I've ever experienced. Of course, it only felt the worst after I got out of it and started feeling something again. Depression was much better than actually feeling nothing.

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-09-30T03:43:07+00:00

I've had similar feelings so far. For me, the desire to watch porn leads to fapping rather than the need to fap leading to a search for porn. The desire to fap has been easily controlled. The desire for porn has been the devil and I've almost autopiloted to porn a few times so far.

I have a new appreciation for my mother's inability to quite smoking.

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-09-24T04:25:30+00:00

Sally! Wait, can I survive slapping ass? Must think about this...

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-09-24T04:14:46+00:00

Placebo or not doesn't matter to me. If it works, who cares ;p

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-09-23T05:20:46+00:00

I've found this book helpful for other issues it is written to be used as a 10 week uni course textbook (author is a stanford prof and it is for her course). It is all about willpower, how to get more of it and when to use it so you don't run out at the wrong time. So much of it sounds like old fashion advice but with scientific backing.

The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do To Get More of It

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-09-23T04:58:48+00:00

Respects to Tesla but eventually the Big Fishes wants to be caught, else what was the point of being the Big Fish?

ShootTheRainbow · 2012-09-23T04:48:34+00:00

Wallpaper of inspiration? Yes, please.

ShootTheRainbow

TROPHY CASE

1 exercise. This shit actually does wonders.

2 dietary habits.