Faith in NoFap Strongly Cemented

TL;DR: Masturbating more than 3 times a week causes massive neurological changes. NoFap is indeed a very valid and scientific concept. You should complete whatever NoFap goal you have in mind, then either continue your journey or keep masturbation frequency at or below 3 times a week.

Recently, I began work on an academic paper explaining the roles of 5 main neurotransmitters, being Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Serotonin, Adrenaline, and Acetylcholine.
As I was working through my paper, I was explaining how imbalances and improper levels of neurotransmitters ravage the mind and body and cause significant changes to neurological function. Along with this, I explained the massive effects that neurological disorders such as ADHD and parkinsonian's disease have on brain function, and as well, the effects that drugs impose on brain function as well.
Being a fapstronaut myself, who was dissatisfied with the severely low amount of conclusive scientific evidence that supports either side of the NoFap argument, I came up with an idea: Research the effects that excessive masturbation (And, in extension, pornography) have on neurological function. This way, I could piece together the scientific neurological reasons that excessive PMO is harmful, and provide some sensible and reliable evidence for the NoFap cause and why it is positively life-changing. What I found was not even thought provoking; it was near-conclusive.
As with drugs, excessive masturbation and pornography release massive stores of neurochemicals into the brain. Based on numerous different medical advisory websites, I determined that the definition of excessive masturbation is when one performs it more than 3 times a week. Any frequency higher than this (Like a drug), and the brain loses the ability to maintain proper neurochemical levels through normal levels of production. To offset this, it begins to up-regulate the production of sex-related hormones such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine, to maintain a proper level of these hormones. Eventually, this leads to a saturation of neurochemicals during masturbation, low levels following, and downregulation of neuroreceptors. In translation, this equates to desensitization not nearly restricted to sexual performance but also every action that is regulated by these neurotransmitters. Less motivation, more anxiety, and lower mood among numerous other symptoms arise.
Acetylcholine has an inverse relationship to serotonin; when acetylcholine is high, serotonin is low. When serotonin is low, melatonin is high. This may account for the mental fog and fatigue that follows masturbation when in the range of excess.
As the brain requires a constant overall level of neurotransmitters in the brain, it will raise the levels of one neurotransmitter to compensate for the lower levels of another. In the case of what I subjectively consider a common frequency for those who engage in excessive masturbation being once or more per day, dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and in some cases serotonin all experience depletion of brain neurotransmitter concentration. To offset this, the brain upregulates the levels of other easily concentrated neurochemicals: Stress hormones. When experiencing low neurotransmitter levels due to excessive masturbation, the brain balances the overall neurotransmitter level by creating excess cortisol, prolactin, and adrenalin. Under these conditions, acetylcholine in the body is drained and replaced with cortisol and prolactin, a phenomenon commonly observed in some drug addictions.
In summary, the arguments for and against NoFap both hold water. Whereas the view that masturbation is healthy has true and valid points, the view that excessive masturbation is harmful is equally, if not more, valid. Modest amounts of masturbation are required to keep the penis functional and to flush toxins from seminal glands. However, as previously stated, excessive masturbation as defined as being more than 3 times a week (Being a 7 day period) causes massive amounts of negative neurological changes. The research I have done has strongly implanted an unwavering faith in the NoFap effort. Remember, however, that the way to recovery will be rough as like the withdrawal from a drug until your brain returns to normal. Complete your own nofap journey. Then, the decision to keep going or stay at or under the 3 times a week rule is up to you. Excessive PMO symptoms are shockingly similar to that of drug abuse.

Edit 1: The fact that I forgot to clarify was that completing NoFap reverses these changes and reverts the brain back to a pleasing state of homeostasis. From what I gathered, the recovery time varies immensely between individuals. If you are losing hope, remember that although recovery can take from 30 to even 365 days, recovery IS inevitable. Sleep pattern changes can arise from the brain no longer associating masturbation with sleep, but this is also a symptom that will resolve itself.

Edit 2: Also not mentioned in the main thread: Upon orgasm, the brain releases a bonding hormone known as Oxytocin. When performed alone, the brain has no partner to "bond" with, and instead bonds the brain with the environment in which orgasm is achieved. This leads to reliance for comfort in the place where one commonly achieves orgasm, e.g., a bed in your room.
When performed exclusively with a partner, it creates a bond with that person. Reduced anxiety and comfort are observed in the proximity of the mate.

 

journyforhealth has some very legitimate points that I won't argue with- because he is right. Success is only dictated by what you perceive to be success. If you achieve your own personal goals, you'll be far better off than if you follow the advice and goals of another person.
However, journyforhealth, I'm very sorry if I caused any disappointment for you or others. The true meaning of my post was intended to be what you decribed: To break through the negativity that comes with following everyone else's opinions and methods. What I REALLY want is people to follow the balance that best suits them, and to be happy and satisfied with what they accomplish for themselves.
That being said, I only ended up with the figure of 3 times a week due to an average. In reality, it's only a loose estimate: Some sources I found said that doing it more than once every two weeks was harmful, and others said that more than twice a day was harmful. So, journyforhealth is absolutely right. It varies immensely from person to person. People NEED to find a balance that is right for them- because it is different between people. As is stated in my paper, neurochemicals need to be in balance- and everyone's brain chemistry is different- just like how much masturbation is okay for different people.
As for sex with a partner, I agree with journyforhealth. Most, if not all, sources I studied said that sex is VERY beneficial for a person. In fact, they said that it only becomes harmful when it stops you from living your life. Sex is great for you, and is what fapstronauts aspire for over masturbation.
What I really wanted to achieve by writing this paper was to give people some solid evidence that, if they do join nofap, it could heal some or most of their problems, giving them hope that there is a way out of whatever problems they were facing.
Finally, I encourage that people fight PMO if they want, as long as they want. I didn't study what happens when you don't masturbate, so I don't have any evidence that says continued NoFap hurts you. Actually, it might not hurt you at all to do NoFap for a long, long time. Sex, which is very good for people, will clean out your system and keep everything working good. You can do NoFap and have sex and have everything improve.
If you want to masturbate, then don't take my 3 day rule to heart. You might be exceptionally resistant to the effects of nofap. You might be able to do it every day numerous times without harm, or you might not be able to do it more that once a week without harm. Like journyforhealth said, it's all about finding your own balance.