Erotica

I think its a more natural form of arousal, as it uses the imagination.
Its P-sub to some, so not good for everybody during reboot.
But its got to be the oldest form of porn!

I used to read novels from a collection with (75 to 100) novels. In all of them there was sex. I was fapping to that as a kid.

 

Sorry Allan, I don't have any links for you. I'm curious though, why are you interested specifically in the effects of erotica?

Hmm, interesting. I agree with you that imagination(fantasy) is slightly better than visual porn. But in the end reading erotica is bad for the reboot too, for isn't it artificial stimuli. Written erotica is actually porn, because it is intended to be arousing. Also, in fantasy everything is just the way you want - perfect. Whereas in real life sex rarely is perfect, thus can't compete with the unrealistic world of imagination.

 

According to YourBrainOnPorn.com erotica is a form of pornography.

 

Patrick Carnes who is one of the pioneers on sexual addiction has a helpful acronym:

SAFE

S- Is it something you do in Secret or would be ashamed of it anyone found out?
A- Is it Abusive or glorifying abuse?
F- Do you use it to change your Feelings or numb pain?
E- Is it Empty of relationship or something you can only enjoy alone or with someone with little emotional connection to you?

He would say if it doesn't meet all of these criteria it is not safe for your emotional health. He is one of the pioneers in this field and wrote the highly-acclaimed book Out of the Shadows in 1983!

I hope this will help. I think the goal to be healthy is to reject fantasy and replace it with real relationship.

Stay strong!

 

Are you doing research, or are you asking for your own pathway?

If is the latter, then you will find the answer in your own. You decide for your own what is just a normal pleasure for you, and what is working like a drug for you. Any kind of porn / erotica / PMO / Tinder / whatever, has the power to distract you and pull you off from your inner goals.

You can see sex and orgasm like a drug. To some people, it is just pleasure; but for other, an orgasm can become a drug like heroine; you take it to cope with your inner fears. If you find yourself avoiding certain decisions and actions, then I advise you to work on your inner fears. It pays off, it is the way to become a free and adult human.

 

... That's a really great post, these four criteria are a good cornerstone to hold on.
In fact you decide for yourself what is harming you and what not.

A sex addiction is mostly connected to inner emotional conflicts and traumata.
Therefore, for some people, erotic literature is just simple joy, for other it is a problem. Best is to listen to your own inner voice.

 

Yeah probably, in a way. But then again there's the dopamine part of it; if it's artificial and makes you use dopamine, it's not good for you to say at least. Hmm, so you're wondering if someone like that would gain harm from reading an erotic story or a story with erotic shades? I don't know, probably the same way a nonsmoker would be affected from smoking a cigarette? Maybe not immense immediate damage, but not wise either and could lead to addiction, in the worst case scenario.

Ahh so you're a writer of some sort to some extent, I see. Be careful with those stimulating thoughts. I hope that you will find the right answers. GL.

 

@ekoluomu @AllanTheCowboy

Yes, I totally see your point and I share your opinion!

However, keep in mind, that some persons are alcoholics, and even the tiniest drop of a lovely bordeaux is leading them into a heavy episode of drinking!

The same is true for sex, porn, erotica. For some people it is joy, for other it is addiction. For them, it is a way to "cope" with serious underlying traumata, fears and depression.

I think most people who come here, are struggling with a sex addiction and are in fact struggling with underlying issues.

 

Go with what your conscience tells you. It's a pretty good guide, although not always exactly right. I agree that a line goes somewhere between the unhealthy and the prime time TV-level kind of stuff, which can also be quite controversial nowadays. This time you're really the only one who can decide whether the material is too graphic or not. Peace.

 

I guess the old days erotica and the current offerings are probably quite different too. There was no such thing as 50 shades of crap back then.

All in all, during a reboot, ANYTHING that may lead to arousal will end up causing either urges, or may lead to "material" escalation towards pictures, then videos

 

Men are very visual. You can read erotica, but your mind won't be satisfied with that, it will need visualization.

 

Erotica is the beginning of your relapse. Take it from me. Your brain will play these tricks on you. I have that propensity and I know I am getting in trouble when I start looking for art either in books, painting or photography. If you have problem with P keep away from erotica. Since I have a problem with nudity to me it is all related.

 

Don't play with fire.

 

I feel like it would be a dangerous slope that could easily lead to relapse personally.

 

With all due respect I think our experiences are quite valid. I find anything that I would do alone and is designed to numb pain tends to bring on shame. That is one of the biggest triggers to the addictive cycle. There is plenty of research in sex addiction research to back this up. I would pick up Out of the Shadows by Patrick Carnes. He goes into a lot of the ideas about emotional health and how it relates to sexual issues. Hope this is helpful. Stay strong!