50 Reasons To Quit Porn

50 Reasons To Quit Porn For Good - Reboot Blueprint. I once read an article on why porn is great for your relationship… While that’s a nice fantasy, the reality is quite the opposite! And if you’re reading this article, you have likely discovered that not only is porn possibly harming your relationship, it’s terrible for your self-esteem too. I’ve got 50 good reasons for you to take a stand against your porn habit and to become a better, happier and more fulfilled man, in every way. So without further ado, here are… 50 Reasons To Quit Porn: 1. Prevent erectile dysfunction. ED is a serious debilitating condition in men. Frequent masturbation and hard porn habits have been found to induce a physiological state that affects the brain in such a way that it hinders intimate sexual performance that even Viagra can’t remedy. This becomes a psychological conditioning which takes its toll and can create performance anxiety problems down the line. The best solution is to quit porn and let your brain return to normality – we call this “rewiring”. 2. Restore your sexual energy. If you’re busy doing the do often in the day, you’re not going to have energy for much else, including sexual intimacy with a partner. You may have already experienced a lack of drive, and possibly the effects it has on you and your partner. Reclaiming that energy can be exhilarating. 3. Restore your energy in general. If you’re watching porn, you’re probably also masturbating — once, maybe twice, possibly three or four times a day. I’ve heard of extreme cases where just about every free minute of the day was spent this way. That’s between lunch times at work, even bathroom breaks. This will definitely drain your body of the physical stamina it needs to keep up with the daily activities of life. Side note: Increased physical stamina is a common benefit of quitting porn. 4. Increase your productivity Ever feel like you’re spending too much time in front of your computer screen doing essentially nothing? Probably because that’s exactly what’s happening. Consider for a moment what productivity means to you. Are you ambitious, are you driven, are you ready to achieve your goals? Yes? Now consider how much

time your PMO habit takes from you. The absence of excessive masturbation can increase your productivity tremendously. 5. Positively corrects sexual desires and fantasies Pleasures, desires and fantasies are all governed by the mind, to some extent. Porn takes away the excitement of the unknown. In other words, it really kills the buzz. Taking porn out of the equation deters the need for ever more, ever harder content that distorts the view of those pleasures, desires and fantasies. It can, and often does happen that expectations are set too high and are unrealistic after sustaining a porn habit. By kicking the habit, your dopamine levels return to normal and resets your arousal patterns. 6. Changes approach to sexual desire You know the old adage, absence makes the heart grow fonder? Well, it make other things grow fonder too. Let’s be honest: addiction removes the enjoyment out of an activity. Once you start relying on that addiction, you can be sure it won’t be too long before you need to up the ante a bit, which means that you: a) Will have less desire for the things that previously got you excited b) Will have less time to develop positive sexual fantasies c) Will have more desire for “shock factor” things. This takes the addiction into a whole new level, especially if you have a partner. You may find that your partner resents your approach to intimate matters. That brings us to the next point. Quitting a PMO habit: 7. Promotes healthy relationships. The porn industry objectifies situations, people and sex. There’s nothing romantic, or realistic about it whatsoever. The scenes created in a porn movie are nothing like the reality of an intimate relationship. However, it’s not uncommon for people to try to make porn scenes a reality. This puts a lot of strain on the partner to live up. But your partner is not the only one who stands to suffer from your porn-induced fantasies. You do. There are a wide number of sexual dysfunctions in men that have been linked directly to porn. When you’ve got a clean slate to work with, you’ll find it easier to build a healthy relationship with someone emotionally, physically and sexually.

8.

Prevents social isolation.

There’s two aspects to this one. Many people report feeling pretty ashamed, or at the very least somewhat guilty about their porn habits. This guilt, in turn, makes them feel awkward and indifferent in public. If you no longer have to deal with this all-consuming habit, you no longer have to worry about the shame that comes with it. By nature, PMO is something that demands isolation, but isolation closes the doors to true intimacy with another human being. It’s not just intimacy that suffers, valuable social time with friends, family and lovers also stand at risk of being put low on the list. 9.

Prevents social anxiety.

It’s amazing how many NoFap Reddit users report that their NoFap and NoPorn commitments have helped them socially. There are a number of reasons for this, but the most commonly mentioned is that there is a sort of victory over social awkwardness around members of the opposite sex after quitting porn. 10. Prevents general anxiety It’s worth mentioning as a separate point as general anxiety can be extremely crippling. Interestingly, porn can be the onset of a number of anxiety problems. Porn may also be the catalyst to performance anxiety which provokes ED and PE alike. 11. Increased self-confidence PMO can be hugely detrimental for those with low self-esteem. Negative feelings about the adverse effects of masturbation, porn addiction and inability to quit or manage porn effectively can slowly tear away at a person’s buoyancy. With that said, quitting a PMO addiction can help you feel free, more in control over your own desires and more in control over yourself and your reactions to situations. 12.

Prevents depression

With the two points mentioned above, it’s important to note that for some a PMO habit can wreak havoc in their lives. It’s not to say that everyone will be affected in the same way, but the risk is there none the less. Depression is a very real and very large part of a porn addiction, perhaps a self-perpetuating cycle. Depression = a bigger porn habit, a bigger porn habit = deeper depression. Making that stand against this can certainly break this cycle and hand you back the confidence you have in yourself. 13. Prevents personal shame No porn equals no shame, it’s simple. The secrecy surrounding that PMO habit

can contribute negatively to your persona. Shame can quickly settle in, even if it’s not immediately noticeable. Conflicting religious beliefs, societal ethics, moral standpoints all become part of the dilemma that adds to the shame associated with porn. No better reason to quit porn, personal shame is truly the precursor to so many of the other problems. 14. Reverses destructive behaviour This effect is not always easy to track as there really are a number of things that can contribute to destructive behaviour. There’s an obvious pattern of destruction in porn, but the way this manifests itself is a bit more abstract. Loving relationships can turn sour. Open and comforting associations can become strained. Ideas and ideals change and sometimes severe pressure is placed on the partner to perform or live up to the standards that the porn addict sets. Quitting the habit allows you to assume responsibility and become accountable for your own actions. That sounds pretty hectic, but it’s the best way forward. 15. Avoid matrimonial troubles that lead to divorce Addiction to pornography is cited as a major grievance and can cause matrimonial problems which eventually lead to divorce. When masturbation is the preferred outlet in a marriage due to excessive pornography, the inevitable outcome is a broken relationship and a broken home. With an adverse risk such as this, it makes sense to consider quitting that PMO habit. Source: April issue of Psychology of Popular Media Culture. 16. You’re taking a stand against a questionable, exploitive (and sometimes illegal) industry. The porn industry at best can be a bit dodgy. By quitting porn, you become an advocate for personal and social positive change by simply refusing to contribute towards the ever growing pandemic that is the pornography problem. The industry is infamously known for profiting off the gross violations, sickening abuses, moral degradation, exploitation and trafficking of minors, teenagers and artists. With each click on a porn site, you become part of an ever-growing problem and therefor just as accountable to exploitive activity masked as entertainment. User need and demand is what feeds the industry, and the production biggies are smart enough to know the effects it has on the viewers, of that you can be sure. 17. Allows you to take back control Excess of anything is not good and can lead to addiction. Quitting the physical and mental demands of pornography is a far cry from being an easy break, but in doing so you return the power to yourself to break free from the control that your porn habit has over you. Letting go of this addiction opens so many doors to

never-before-experienced opportunities. Remember, you were meant to enjoy the best things life has to offer. 18. Quitting porn saves you money Have you ever tracked just how much you’ve spent on your habit? Even if you haven’t literally spent money on watching porn it’s highly likely that your time spent watching porn could have been spent more productively – i.e. making money? Time is money after all, and by spending both time and money on porn you’re basically stealing from yourself to give to a massive industry which: a) Doesn’t need any more than it already has, and b) Is not going to use that money for anything good. Trust me. 19. Keeps you safe from internet issues It’s no secret that porn sites are riddled with spam-, hacking-, backdoor-, identitytheft-, Trojan-, virus-, adware-, and malware software. These all work separately or as a team to pretty much ruin your digital devices. Individuals, companies and organizations have lost millions in revenue, integrity, and productivity thanks to this little problem. Virtual policies are in place for this very reason and safeguard confidential content and files being stolen via the backdoor that’s left open when on porn sites (no pun intended!). That’s not to say it WILL happen to you, but it could. Even if you’re not watching porn at work, the fact of the matter is that if you’re sharing files between home and work via email, flash, or even using your home computer for work purposes; you stand a good chance of sharing some of the nasties that crawl onto your device through these sites. 20. Increases arousal towards partner With the absence of pornography and masturbation the body’s natural desire for release and intimacy can be redirected to your partner or spouse. (Hint – THIS IS A HUGE BONUS) 21. Prevents novelty-seeking behaviour Ever heard of the Coolidge effect? It’s also known as novelty-seeking behaviour and can be pretty damaging to a healthy relationship. Porn most definitely encourages this effect by rushing your brain with dopamine each time you see, or experience, something appealing. That dopamine is your body’s way of saying “hmmm, I like.” But,unfortunately, induced dopamine is not stable and less is produced each time you watch porn, however, psychologically you still want and need that feeling – so you go to great lengths to get it. Enter hard-core over the top porn. It’s impossible for a spouse or partner to keep up with this sort of boundary-pushing.

22. Freedom from controlling sexual desires You are not your sexual desires and your sexual desires are not you. A pornography addiction can certainly begin forming a sort of control over you. The more you watch, the more you want. The more you want the more you desire. The more you desire the more you wish to control the need, and inevitably, the people on the receiving end of your desires. The feeling of liberation that comes from kicking the PMO habit is exhilarating, but enabling as well. It enables you to realise that your character (and your happiness) is not controlled by sex. 23. Avoid the digital intimacy trap The virtual love affair with pornography cannot substitute or replace the physical, physiological and spiritual representation of an actual person, relationship or feeling. This can be an emotionally dangerous and detrimental trap for those who hope to find the joys of inclusion and association with social groups and people in the workplace, home or otherwise. 24. Resolves premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction problems Porn has no long-term benefits. Sure it offers short-term gratification and quick release through masturbation, but that’s where its “good intentions” stop. Many people report that after prolonged exposure to porn, the body just can’t deal with the pressure and excitement of an intimate encounter. Luckily, this problem is completely reversible but it takes dedication, time and patience and the desire to change the pattern, so if your aspiration is to become a fully functional and exciting lover for your partner, dump the porn! 25. Restores sexual functionality (and eliminates sexual awkwardness) Practice makes perfect. The more you engage, the better you’ll become, right? A commitment to no masturbation/porn restores an under-explored* sexual functionality that actually improves the act itself each time you get down and busy with your loved one. * under-explored in this sense is directly due to a PMO habit. 26. Restores the “love and cuddle hormone” Oxytocin and Prolactin Having sex with a woman supposedly affects your brain in a different way than when you’re alone and masturbating. Oxytocin is commonly called the “love hormone” or “cuddle hormone” and plays an important part in intimacy and bonding between two people. Where the release of Prolactin it is essential to their sexual health. ALSO, “the hormone Prolactin makes us feel satiated by countering the effect of Dopamine, which is released during sexual arousal.” SOURCES: Men’s Sexual Problems Linked to Low Prolactin Levels

27. Increase reward-motivated behavior. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (a chemical released by nerve cells to send signals to other nerve cells) and it plays a huge role in the part of our brain that is responsible for reward-motivated behaviour. Masturbation is a form of a rewardmotivating behaviour because of the experience of release. Doing drugs, gambling, eating, having sex, and seeking approval are examples of other reward-motivated behaviours that cause dopamine to flood your brain. This is exactly why PMO is so addictive. Just like drugs, the more you masturbate the more the brain becomes “used to” and desensitized to the effects of Dopamine and the more you’ll crave your “next fix”. From Porn, Masturbation and Mojo: A Neuroscience Perspective : “Dopamine is the “go get it” neurochemical essential for libido, risk-taking, motivation, focus, and anticipation and cheerfulness. In other words, a decline in dopamine signaling is associated with all of these: Diminished libido, which is a possible cause of sluggish erections, Decreased risk-taking and increased anxiety, combined with a tendency toward angry overreaction, any of which can decrease willingness to socialize, Inability to focus, which can account for concentration and memory problems, and Lack of motivation and healthy anticipation, which can lead to apathy, procrastination, and even play a role in depression. Or to state it all more positively: When dopamine and related neurochemicals are properly regulated, sexual attraction, socializing, concentration and feelings of well-being are more effortless. We suspect that a return to normal dopamine signaling helps explain why many guys report the same improvements as they unhook from excessive consumption of Internet porn.” 28. Encourages libido for “Life” Here’s another unexpected benefit of quitting porn – a new lease on life. Believe it or not, the combination of advantages mentioned throughout this article work together to give you a heightened sense with a natural libido for life. The great downside of PMO is that you can be left feeling “all used up” and worthless for having engaged in an unproductive act. So naturally it makes sense that saying sayonara to something so draining will leave you feeling new and ready to tackle life again. 29. Promotes your self-worth There’re two sides to watching porn. On the one hand, you get to watch exhilarating and arousing videos. On the other, you get to watch something that you’re not taking part in. At first this may not seem like a problem, but it certainly does chip away slowly at your self-esteem.

PMO exacerbates this dilemma. That empty feeling which is so different from the real thing can dampen your spirits even more. Taking a stand against this cycle offers you what is rightfully yours – your confidence in all things sensual. 30.Prevent perverse and twisted stigma If you’d like to steer clear of being seen as perverse and twisted, perhaps now is the time to stop your porn habit. Perverse behaviour can be traced back to the excessive indulgence into an early life of pornography, masturbation, sexual gratification, abuse and sexual and/or aggressive conflicts in childhood. The inherent stigma of a perverse mind is conceptualized and rooted in pornography. Ok, so that’s not to say that all people who engage in watching porn will pick up these traits, but it’s a very real risk. Top that with the fact that women can immediately detect insincere cues which are likely to be picked up by watching porn. Again – it boils down to porn being an unrealistic representation of interaction between two people. 31.Puts you back at zero Yup, quitting porn allows you to become a fresh scholar of love. Face it, porn does not depict love in the least. Being intimate with a woman is all about those hot, passionate moments in which she feels absolutely incapacitated in your love. Those moments are the bingo moments, and certainly worth waiting for. 32.Experience more satisfaction from the small things in life The small things in life are often more important than the bigger things, they are what makes up the fabric of your daily living. Why miss out on those things sitting behind your desk, glued to a screen, doing something that is at best, only mildly enjoyable and in nature cannot be shared with anyone? Seems pretty lonely when it’s worded that way. Free up some time and do the things that really do offer satisfaction. appreciate 33.Increases testosterone levels The “big T” is a vital natural steroid hormone in men which is essential for development, health, well-being and sexual functioning. During the absence of PMO, a sexual act with a partner stimulates the release and increase of Testosterone. Masturbation doesn’t actually provide the same release, which means your body may be experiencing the release that it needs but without all the important benefits. To name a few, Testosterone is important for increased energy levels, strength, physical stamina, red blood cell production, a healthy metabolism, prostate health and liver function. It’s excellent for memory and concentration. It boosts healthy self-esteem and encourages self-control. Some of the more arbitrary benefits are:

Adds depth and bass in your voice Increases masculine behavior Increases dominant behavior Increases bone density and strength by producing blood cells in bone marrow and bone formation Produces protein necessary for NORMAL SEXUAL BEHAVIOR – a healthy sex drive Produces hard erections 34. Strengthens your willpower Better decisions, more self-control, patience, higher self-esteem, better composure, driven focus and energy all contribute to growth and maturity. They also all happen to be benefits associated with a healthy and thriving sex life, one that is not dominated by porn and masturbation. You Get Stronger 35. Quitting porn is an antidote against nervousness and shyness Have you been feeling shy or awkward around women? Are you unable to bridge the gap for some reason? It may be that social anxiety is getting the better of you here and that social anxiety is highly likely to have stemmed from the by-products of a PMO habit. Remember that a lot of guilt and shame, even if it is selfimposed, finds its way into the porn-masturbation relationship and this can keep you from enjoying easy contact, as it should be, with members of the opposite sex, or anyone you’re attracted to. 36. Restores control over emotions Having control over your emotions is not just important when you’re dealing with women, it’s about having confidence in yourself. It’s about being sure that you are able to withstand challenges and see them through as well as enjoy the successes of life. Porn can strip you of your inner strength. 37. Enables clarity of vision and focus A study conducted in 2001 shows that within 60 minutes of masturbating, levels of Noradrenaline – also called Norepinephrine were shown to have DECREASED that is the hormone and neurotransmitter most responsible for vigilant concentration.” SOURCES: Norepinephrine / Noradrenaline Endocrine Response to Masturbation Induced Orgasm in Healthy Men Following 3 Week Abstinence 38. Increases Motivation

An increase in motivation is one of the top reported advantages of quitting porn, and it’s so for 2 reasons: a) When you remove the negative emotions that stem from a porn addiction, there is more emotional energy to devote to the important matters, daily tasks and unfinished projects. b) There’s literally more time to do things that you need or want to do. motivation 39. Promotes a healthy view of women This has been mentioned before, but I wanted to go into detail on this point. It’s so important that as men we remember that what women go through in order to make porn is nothing compared to what we think they’re going through. It looks hot, it looks sexy, but we’re watching actors who are hoping to get paid. 9 times out of 10 they don’t get paid what they’re worth. Add to that the shame and guilt piled on them for what they’re doing. It’s not at all as glamorous as we’d like to think watching from the other side of the screen. That woman is someone’s daughter, sister, or possibly mother. 40. Prevents a sex obsession An obsession is never a good thing, and it can so easily form. Porn keeps the constant need for sex alive, but you’re never truly being satisfied, as mentioned in point 29. This cycle can quickly grow into an obsession which inhibits the ability to function like a normal person in the company of people, especially women. 41. Quitting porn can help you understand women You’ll never truly understand a woman until she opens up to you, but you can prevent misunderstandings by simply opting not to watch porn. Porn changes the way men interact with women, and that’s a fact. What may be a simple friendly exchange, could be taken out of context as something much more, flirting, or the go-ahead even. Porn movies make the exchange between men and women all about sex. If she says hi, it’s because she wants sex, if she does something good for you, it’s because she wants sex, if she is happy, it’s because she wants sex. The reality is a bit more stark! You’ve got to work for what you want. 42. New doors opening to conscious awareness When pornography and masturbation take a backseat and the body and all its senses are not occupied, conscious growth can occur. By becoming more aware of everything, you’re allowing yourself to grow and find things, experiences or moments that will help you become a happy, satisfied person. 43. Improves communication and helps you to face your challenges Courage favours and rewards the brave. In order to salvage a relationship that was broken because of porn, communication is vital. Many NoFappers reported

that PMO was their number one go-to for problems. 44. Feeling of wholeness that is not reliant on an external source The secrecy behind porn and masturbation creates a pretty lonely cavity in a person’s life. There is no room for intimacy and affection in this regard and refraining from this habit promotes overall wellness without having to rely on an external source to produce quick fix solutions. 45. No risk of arrest or legal troubles There’s the “good” part of porn and then the really suspect part of porn. Pretty much every normal person will turn away from the latter, right? However, over time, the dodgy parts of porn become a little less obscene to the viewer as he (or she, granted) goes in search of something more arousing. There’s a very fine line between what is acceptable and what is not on porn sites and those lines can be crossed before you even know it, or before you’ve gained control. Remember that many of these sites are already tagged and are being watched in order to catch potential sex offenders or individuals engaging in illicit behaviour which is not consistent with online terms and conditions. New technology can log and trace user’s activities and the smallest indiscretion could cause you a run-in with law enforcement. So don’t surf porn sites! 46. Deeper philosophical thinking Masturbating and the visual stimulus of pornography don’t require much focus or deeper thinking and, therefore, can become a shallow activity that can actually do damage to your creative thinking. If your ability to put things into perspective, consider, ponder, analyse and implement sound solutions to problems is affected, it may be time to quit your PMO habit. 47. Prevents embarrassment and crisis management Work, relationships, family life, even friendships can be negatively impacted by porn. A found stash is not only hard to explain away, it’s embarrassing. In some circumstances, it can cost you what is dear to you. For example, a spouse who simply won’t put up with it or is hurt by the fact that porn has become the go-to for intimacy. Managing the aftermath of such exposure can take a personal toll on the most promising, stable and secure relationship, a nightmare crisis best avoided by abstaining from pornography. 48. Provides a moral compass to inspire other people to consider prevention than battling cure Quitting pornography restores your inner moral compass. You can use it to help others find their way back to the natural flow of things by redirecting them away from their own similar challenges. 49. The joy of keeping promises

If a promise is kept to avoid returning to the detrimental habit of masturbation or pornography, a powerful bond is formed. Keeping a promise to a loved one is one thing, but keeping a promise to yourself can be even more powerful. The byproduct of such a sacrifice and commitment to your principles can help you reach a new level of self-respect. 50.Develops a stronger sense of optimism about life To overcome any addiction is a milestone and a triumph of the human spirit to overcome challenges. Quitting pornography and finally escaping its merciless hold creates an elated sense of achievement to live free. The fact remains that sexual intimacy is one of the greatest experiences two people can share. When that dynamic is so over-shadowed by porn and what it portrays, it’s pretty hard to identify where to draw the line. There are too-many-to-count drawbacks of engaging in an ongoing PMO habit, but all of those negative effects can be completely reversed by rebooting and kick-starting things the way nature intended. Did you find this article motivating? Are you ready to make changes in your life?