Cold, turkey?

Here's the deal: I like porn. I don't think there's anything to it. I have watched porn on my own and I have watched porn with others (I have porn on my pages here, and get dozens of hits, but only one or two comments. Prudes!). Do I watch porn every day? Not really. But I have watched porn in consecutive days, if that means anything. I like porn that is somehow fun: I like to watch people who look like they ARE having fun. No matter how beautiful the men and how 'hot' the setup, if the men are not into each other (and you can tell) it does nothing for me. Nope. 

I like some studio porn and I like some 'amateur' porn ('amateur' because some OF creators are very resourceful when recording themselves having sex). I think that the golden age of gay porn is over and that the internet kind of killed part of the mystique surrounding the Gay Porn Star, but at the same time, the cornucopia of erotica that you can now find online makes porn accessible to anybody with an internet connection. I don't really like 'kinky' porn or fetish porn, especially when they are a little too extreme. They do nothing for me. I don't like 'gay-for-pay' actors, in principle, but I can enjoy Bi porn. And I enjoy FTM porn. Remember when I posted Rocco having his first time here? Yep. 

And I'm not alone. Some porn providers have reported 115 million visits per day. So when I found that ASAP Science (the cuties!) had this video about what happens when you try to quit porn I was like: I'm in. After all, it's something that I enjoy (thoroughly) and something that has intrigued me. Most of the people I know watch some kind of porn. The only thing is, we have to remember that the people who took part of these studies, are PPU people (people with Problematic Porn Use or people who feel that porn affects their lives ). Keep that in mind.

Apparently,  6% of all people self-identify as having PPU and by the second day, they start feeling  a little edgy: porn consumed the way they consume it, affects the neuroplasticity of your brain. Who knew? And it involves Dopamine, so there's that. Looking for porn and finding just the right one for you at the moment keeps your Dopamine levels high. Yep. Then by day seven, most people with PPU have gone back to watching porn and the culprit is apparently anxiety, but by day thirty, if they have stopped watching porn, people with PPU feel that they can concentrate better and are not hooked on that Dopamine as hard. Go figure.

So what do they recommend to people with PPU? Well, mindfulness and awareness of their situation. And also trying to replace porn with other 'novel' experiences (that's one of the things that keep people hooked on porn and even preferring it to the real thing!! *gasp*). Of course some of these studies have caveats, but talking about porn and use of porn is interesting. No?

If you think being addicted to porn is 'not a thing' take a look at the comments (and also take them with a grain of salt, because many people are biased by homophobia, transphobia and misoginy):

@Dograt2000

@Dograt2000

1 year ago

I have been able to quit drinking, cigarettes and weed, and porn is the thing I have struggled with the most in my life.  Understanding what is happening inside of your brain is so important, accountability, and positive reminders of why you are quitting need to be around you visually.   It's the dopamine you become addicted to and you don't even realize it.  Lets get our minds healthy and start working towards our goals.

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@stellaluna5907

@stellaluna5907

1 year ago (edited)

I'm a teenage girl who used to watch a lot of porn. I quit one year ago, and it was one of the best decisions I've made! My social skills and confidence improved astoundingly. It bothers me how most of these comments of encouragement are directed towards men-- women struggle with this as well, and the fact that I was a girl watching porn really contributed to my shame. I felt so disgusting and alone, I was afraid to seek help. So to any girls or women out there-- you're not alone!! I got out of it, and so can you. It wasn't easy at first, but the long-term impact was so worth it. ❤ Best of luck!!

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@MutleeIsTheAntiGod

@MutleeIsTheAntiGod

6 days ago

I had major PPU in college and decided to go cold with nofap. The longest I went was just over a year before the fappening event drew me back in (I was weak) but I can tell you that the time away was the best I ever felt. I'm a bisexual male and after 3 months of internal struggle, things took a turn for the better.  My workouts felt more intense, my sexual life improved dramatically, my overall joy in life skyrocketed. I urge you to take back your brains. I'm 2 weeks in on my last leave from porn and this video has strengthened my resolve. Thank you and good luck all

So how about that?? 

XOXO

P.S. Pride Month reading:

Note: I've had this book for YEARS. I found it in a garage sale once and snatched right away. I think it's out of print, but if you can find it, read it. Highly recommend it.