Does PIED actually exist?

it exists, not everyone has it, it takes a lot of time to overcome

 

It exists. It affects all ages.

Can't speak as to utopian conditions, but I feel like we've had this discussion before.

To me it sounds like you found an activity that you like, and you want to rationalize it. You can. On any forum other than this one people will reassure you that there's nothing wrong with watching pornography. That these NoFap crackpots just made you fearful of your own sexuality, and that you should continue jacking off in peace and pay them no mind. If you're not seeing any harmful side effects to it, then that's a good answer for you.

The thing is - people come to this forum for a reason. Usually because they start having a sexual dysfunction of some sort. Can't get it up. Cum too fast. That sorta thing. So on here, you'll get the responses you've been getting. "Porn is awful, stay far far away from it". You're right to question it and to remain skeptical of everything, but the personal accounts on here speak for themselves. And there's tons of 'em.

I can say that I've experienced this cycle of dysfunction and recovery twice already (now inching towards a third time), and to me it's very real.

 

My theory is that it's a pre-existing mental issue which PMO simply adds to. Unrealistically high levels of dopamine seem to be the main issue, rather than just the act of PMO itself. Some guys can handle it, some can't. It all depends upon how one's mind reacts to that level of stimuli. Furthermore, some guys go a long time before even realizing that they're suffering from PIED. There are so many variables involved in ED that it can be hard to tell what the cause is. It's a gradual process of decline that I personally didn't notice until it was too late.