Why withdrawal symptoms appear? - everything we know

Google scientific research about withdrawal symptoms?

In my experience, withdrawal symptoms are largely psychosomatic. Long ago I tried to quit smoking a few times and I failed because I experienced all kinds of intense withdrawal symptoms. Then I read the famous quit smoking book by Allen Carr, who argued that nicotine addiction only really lasts for 11 days and only for the heaviest smokers.

After reading that book I was só convinced I could quit smoking that I did (successfully!), and I did not experience ANY withdrawal symptoms. No kidding.

It made me realize how much of this withdrawal is largely based on self-delusion, fueled by others who believe the same delusion

If enough people were claiming that their right big toe tingled when quitting porn I'm sure that half this forum would start experiencing tingling toes

 

addiction => dopamine/endorphin flood => brain shutting down receptors to compensate (protective mechanism) => quitting habit => no endorphins and/or appropriate receptors => withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal is basically a nervous depression. Like trying to start a car without gasoline or spark plugs.

 

My personal belief is that withdrawal is real, here is a good link

https://www.yourbrainonporn.com/what-does-withdrawal-from-porn-look-like

Also I would say the severity is dramatically increased on hard mode (no conscious ejaculation) but you also recover quicker

 

What you describe sounds like a flatline. There are a lot of guys on here who are plagued by sudden withdrawal symptoms after an x number of days or months.

No one yet knows what causes this, but it certainly has to do with the rewiring that took place because of overstimulation. To some degree this may involve the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters.

 

Withdrawal symptoms after several months? That makes no sense to me. All and every withdrawal symptom that I've ever experienced happened directly after quitting, delayed by maximum a few days. I've experienced quitting marijuana, cigarettes, cocaine and alcohol (I was not addicted to alcohol though), none of those showed any withdrawal after a week or 2. Porn lasted a few longer, but not much.

I'm thinking, the main difference with porn addiction is that sexuality in general keeps being a part of our lives - by biologic design - while addiction to substances are not. So, couldn't it be possible that ex-porn/sex addicts interpret something completely normal as being horny, a withdrawal effect? In which case it isn't, but some might be scared of it due to their porn addiction experience?

Just thinking out loud here

 

Withdrawl symptoms can last as long as 2 years. Dont know where you got half a year.

 

Can withdrawal symptoms last as long as you keep fapping, so longer than 2 years if you keep on fapping?

 

You have to abstain from PM and O (related to porn or masturbation) for at least two years. During that time you can/will experience withdrawl symptoms. If say, you masturbate to porn or not today, then you will/can feel withdrawl symptoms for at least two years starting from today should you choose to abstain from PMO. So during those two years, you may never intentionally watch porn, masturbate (fantasize etc.), and orgasm (related to porn or masturbating only) Lately ive been having INTENSE feelings of watching porn. It reminds me of when I would CRAVE to watch porn and I caved in. But I have not caved in, no way, im almost to two years complete abstinence. I still have around 200+ days to go. Even with how many days of abstinence ive had im a little over half way there. I am also a clean and sober addict of 2 and 7 months. There is beer in my house from a friend and I do not get the slightest urge to drink. Same with cannabis, theres some around the house from parties and I do not get the slightes urge to use.

 

Yeah I know, but some seem to experience symptoms after a certain amount of time. They call it a flatline. Why this happens is a complete mystery.
https://yourbrainonporn.com/porn-recovery-and-mysterious-flatline

There's also the post acute withdrawal syndrome in the most severe of cases, but that is most often preceded by acute symptoms indeed.

Perhaps in some the brain is just pretty good at delaying reuptake of certain neurotransmitters. It really is speculation at best.

 

More evidence of withdrawal symptoms from the founder of reboot nation:

http://www.rebootnation.org/forum/index.php?topic=2956.0

"Quote
When you were in a flatline, how were you feeling overall emotionally?

Numb, depressed, disconnected from my dick, tidal waves of stress that would come and go, suicidal, frustrated. Pretty much the worst emotions I have ever experienced for several weeks at a time. BUT, as I learned about the brains ability to change, and read success stories, I began to be filled with hope and determination that I would go as long as it took and never give up. Then once I started to feel libido and motivation, the passion I had for life came soaring back."