The Flatline Explained (finally)

The flatline is and has been a commodity that not many of us truly understand. We dip in and out of it throughout our reboot, and it can last anything from a few days to months. It is essentially an emotional rollercoaster that we not only fear but struggle to understand.

In this post I will explain a) what the flatline REALLY is and b) why it takes place.

Before starting you will need to be able to view the image below to get a full understanding of this explanation.



Most of the symptoms we experience while rebooting take place in the realm of the nervous system. In relation to recovery the nervous system is broken down into three key modes that help us to function as human beings. These modes are as follows:

1. social engagement (green)
2. fight or flight (yellow)
3. shutdown (red)

Social engagement (green) is where we want to be. This should be our default mode. When we begin our reboot and enter the flatline, we move from social engagement to fight or flight. From Green to Yellow. In short, our nervous system believes that we are in danger and switches mode accordingly. Why does it think we are in danger? Because of arousal.

Notice that there is an arousal bar that sits on the left hand side of the chart. Arousal is what moves us from one mode to the next. This is why watching porn or even experiencing Orgasm will put you into a flatline. Your nervous system believes that you are in danger and acts accordingly by releasing hormones that will assist you in survival (e.g. adrenaline, cortisol). The problem here is that fight or flight mode is designed for you to fight or run and not to have sex. So if in bed with your other half and you suddenly get nervous or panic, your body will switch to Fight or Flight (Yellow) or even Freeze (Red) preventing you from successful arousal. In short, we cannot have successful sex while in Fight-Flight or Freeze.

The key to NoFap is taking a step back from your PMO addiction so that you can start to understand WHY you have entered or are stuck in the fight or flight mode and nurse yourself back into the Social Engagement mode aka Green. Often times we have adopt habits and behaviours that keep us in Fight-Flight or Freeze mode.

In relation to the Red territory, this represents PAWS or withdrawal. If we fail to get ourselves out of the fight or flight territory we will eventually move into Freeze territory. The principle remains the same, we must understand why our body is stuck in Freeze mode and teach ourselves how to move back into Fight-Flight (Yellow) and then eventually Social Engagement (Green).

It is important to understand that each mode has a level of functioning. For example, when in Green (or Social Engagement) the nervous system will naturally focus on health and vitality, compassion and connection to others. The focus of this mode is to promote healthy living. Whereas if in Freeze for example your body will believe it is undergoing a life threat and do all it can to survive (lower heart rate, conserve body resources including cutting off all sexual functions)

This is an extremely shallow outline of the three nervous system modes known as polyvagal theory. Hope it sheds some light.

 

I'm not too sure what I am supposed to say here? not in the scope of what exactly?

Just to be transparent. I am not a researcher, a scientist, a theorist or professor. I am simply a rebooter hoping to recover and help the next person in line. I am really just looking for discourse with others experiencing the same issues.

If something is not correct it isn't Science?