Besides not watching porn, what else can I do to increase the healing of my damaged dopamine and other chemicals that porn has caused in my brain? Should I just stop all things that give me pleasure including music, games and movies?
I personally don't recommend completley stopping those activities, just make sure they are in moderation and not replacing more productive things.
You know, being on this forum gives a dopamine surge, too. Getting those "alerts" and new inbox messages? Those give dopamine also. It's the reason I'm here -- Came to ask one fucking question and now I can't leave because it's addictive as fuck. You want to know what to stop -- Stop the internet. Save yourself.
I was wondering about this these days too. I think everything we get pleasure it release dopamine. I'm facing in my nofap nowadays some feelings of doing something (example, i like do sculpt and play classical guitar). After my second flatline goes, i'm experiencing this kind of deep felling of doing something and i go there and do this activity. Also facing some horny times, it comes the desire of having real sex very intense these days, but i'm keep going.
All dopamine is not bad, only the abuse of it. If pushing a button released dopamine into your brain, you should stop pushing the button. That's not the function it is meant to serve. If finishing a long and difficult hike up a mountain releases dopamine, keep it up! Dopamine is meant to be a reward for the good and healthy things we pursue. If listening to or making music makes you happy, do not stop. If games make you happy, use them in moderation - they can become like the "button" you press. If you watch a movie, make sure it is a good one, offer a critique or review, talk to a friend about it - don't just watch it for the rush, but make it worth it! Good luck, friend!
I did some techfree streaks recently with the longest being 12 days and I 100% believe that if you could stay on that path then you will heal much quicker. That said it's obviously not easy, especially if you don't have much else to fill your time with. My craving for porn actually shot up during this time, I initially thought that distancing myself from it would make it easier but it was the complete opposite. I was also very depressed but at the same time I also felt kind of liberated, I was miserable but my problems didn't seem to weigh me down as much anymore - possibly because I was no longer constantly reminding myself of them every time I go online. Was also getting much stronger morning woods as well for some reason.