Regarding no perceivable effects. I am having similar lack of effects but we must understand that the rewiring of synapse and neurotransmitters in the brain will take time. Your mood swings of sadness are likely your pleasure centers reacting to a lack of stimulation and are now beginning to level out. This will take time to change but once you've developed the ability for self change you can take that with you for the rest of your life and teach others. Hang in there and be mindful of your positive change.
Simple truth is that biggest changes take place at the beginning of any process with less and less change overtime. In 2 weeks you would feel 70% of the benefits. Yes people will disagree, but thats reality, complete alcoholic will restore 70% normal body function after 2 weeks. This may change with age but it holds true for an average adult You get majority of the benefits upfront, so whole idea that benefits come much later contradicts basic biology. Removing negative influence form a system leads to rapid improvement, followed further by gradual return to optimal state. You should not expect massive changes down the road.
1st out of religions its very clear to all people who focus how masturbation effects their lifes non psychology will explain that even scientifically will never notic that black energy or demonic system, its only hiding and spiritual me one of that experience its usually take 1 week demo of hell after jerkoff some people late pay the bills but mostly if good dude will notic its 1 week of combos fatality! weather car damage, bad news come to ur door msg, sick, lose money, clients cancel work, late deal or family problems, even if u silent it will come to ur head. 2nd spiritually and religion, all beliefs saying adultery all kind, (sex out married, anal, watch porn, masturbation on imagination) all kind of lust is prohibited, especially in islam its more deeply and can get how to rid of it! Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Isra verse 32: Do not even go near zina (fornication and/or adultery), for it is a very indecent thing and a very evil way. basically if you one of those experiences, try to avoid it at all or look on ladies/boys, give charity do all kind of good deeds and will see the results automatically will take off you after 1 week to 1 month.
That may well be why you are not feeling the benefits. When I used to smoke I found it had a very dulling, numbing effect on my emotions. I would suggest maybe just cutting down on them a little and notice the difference in the intensity of your emotions when you are not smoking, although the cravings and addictive urges cigarettes may well still get in the way so may be worth cutting them out at least until you finish the challenge if you really wanna feel something!
Saw that this was posted quite a while back but wanted to post some thoughts. I believe you need to practice patience in abstaining from PMO, which was mentioned by some in this thread. Maybe you can try journaling and write down how you feel every 10 days. Assuming you are trying the 90 days nofap challenge. Sometimes we need to be patient even though the goal/dream/objective/benefits are unclear during our journey. But one thing I can say is quitting porn will definitely benefit you in some way or another. Even if you are unable to see it or feel it at the moment. Stay strong!
