Question regarding masturbation

You seem to feel that you can look at porn without resetting your counter and also that you can masturbate with no porn (please correct me if I have misunderstood you). The fact is that both these things are artificial sexual cues resulting in a significant release of dopamine, which is at the root of the addiction. You really need to stop these behaviours. Just because you avoid doing them in the same time and place, does not mean that your reboot is unaffected. Do you see what I mean?

 

I believe it will. It is important to break the hold that porn has over you. Getting a fix here and there will prevent healing.

 

I do not believe anybody "has to" masturbate. It is always a choice. But let us surmise, you make the choice to masturbate without porn. It would have some effect, but no one could precisely quantify it. What can be said with certainty is that the dopamine release would be much greater if you fantasise about having sex as you masturbate.

The tricky thing is that having masturbated, you will experience the chaser effect. So, you would be tempted to do so again within the first few days. The temptation to use porn may also increase. So, it is a choice not to be taken lightly.

 

Oh, you are welcome. Yes, it is an insidious thing. The worst of it is that our own brain picks up on things like "well you don't know them, they are only actors and actresses" and attempts to get you to rationalise that it isn't so bad after all. Then, when we have done it (whatever it is), the reality kicks in and we get that dreadful, sinking shame and guilt. It sucks.