Whiskey Dick
Member
The understanding about dopamine is a game changer. Just because I'm on day 4, doesn't mean I haven't tried to quit many multiple times over the years. Now, because of understanding dopamine, I know what I did wrong. In the past I would quit porn but still fantasize about porn, or still look at bikini models or whatever I could to light up my dopamine fix. But one other interesting thing always occurred...weird food cravings.
I started craving dairy products (which is weird because I don't consume them) and lots of caffeine (which I'd only occasionally consume). And what was interesting was, if I had milk, many of my flatline symptoms would improve. Same with caffeine. And then, inevitably, I would start looking at porn again. Dairy or caffeine were triggers for me. Now I understand why.
Dairy is high in phenylalanine and tyrosine, which are amino acids that are essential for dopamine production. And caffeine induces dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens!http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12151508 For those who don't know what that is, it's a region in the forebrain which is often called our "pleasure center", which lights up when we feed our addiction. So, in other words, I was unconsciously creating a cocktail that acts as a porn substitute, registering in my brain as the same thing. Or close to it.
So, for me, and maybe others, caffeine is going to be a poison on the path. And I'm going to watch my phenalynine/tyrosine intake. Foods high in those are:
1) Spirulina. No problem here, as this stuff is disgusting anyway.
2) Dairy, particularly casein (cottage cheese)
3) Eggs
4) Soy, which is a problematic food anyway
5) Game meats
6) Nuts and seeds
7) Shellfish
Now, there's no way I can cut out all the foods above, or else I wouldn't be able to eat! I eat eggs for breakfast every morning, for instance. But I think it would be a good idea to simply be aware of this list and increase my intake of veggies and fruits and all the other healthy foods not on the list.
Anyway, food for thought (dirty thoughts, mind you)
I started craving dairy products (which is weird because I don't consume them) and lots of caffeine (which I'd only occasionally consume). And what was interesting was, if I had milk, many of my flatline symptoms would improve. Same with caffeine. And then, inevitably, I would start looking at porn again. Dairy or caffeine were triggers for me. Now I understand why.
Dairy is high in phenylalanine and tyrosine, which are amino acids that are essential for dopamine production. And caffeine induces dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens!http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12151508 For those who don't know what that is, it's a region in the forebrain which is often called our "pleasure center", which lights up when we feed our addiction. So, in other words, I was unconsciously creating a cocktail that acts as a porn substitute, registering in my brain as the same thing. Or close to it.
So, for me, and maybe others, caffeine is going to be a poison on the path. And I'm going to watch my phenalynine/tyrosine intake. Foods high in those are:
1) Spirulina. No problem here, as this stuff is disgusting anyway.
2) Dairy, particularly casein (cottage cheese)
3) Eggs
4) Soy, which is a problematic food anyway
5) Game meats
6) Nuts and seeds
7) Shellfish
Now, there's no way I can cut out all the foods above, or else I wouldn't be able to eat! I eat eggs for breakfast every morning, for instance. But I think it would be a good idea to simply be aware of this list and increase my intake of veggies and fruits and all the other healthy foods not on the list.
Anyway, food for thought (dirty thoughts, mind you)