How do you measure progress?

[KINGSTON32]

Hi

First time on hear so bear with me! In brief:

Age 39
Began masturbating at 16, discovered online porn around 14 years ago
Watched 'conventional' porn (nothing unusual or extreme) approx 1 hour per day, 3-4 days per week, for 10 years
Not been with a woman for a long time because of fear I won't perform
Cannot achieve erection without porn

I discovered this website a few days ago and its great to see so many other people in a similar position.

I'm on day 5 without porn or masturbation and my question is this: how do you measure progress? I have no desire to watch porn at all - is a flatline/lack of interest in porn at such an early stage possible?

 

[PresidentCoolidge]

Hi Kingston. Good news is that your reboot might not be as long as many people here, as you began using Internet porn after your adolescence. This means your brain is not as deeply wired for it as guys like me. I started on Internet porn at age 13 and it took me about 6 months. Additionally, I still began to notice improvements in my erectile health even after those initial 6 months.

The way to measure progress is to (1) monitor your morning erections, (2) see if you can get hard from the sensation of your hand alone, and (3) see how you respond to a real woman. I know the third one is difficult for you but you'll never know until you try.

As far as the lack of interest in porn, I had the same thing when flat line first started to settle in. I remember trying to watch porn to get hard for my girlfriend after a few weeks of not watching it. It was so weird because I couldn't get the slightest erection to my favorite porn scene. The thing about flat line is that it results from two things. First off, excessive porn use has reduced D2 receptors in the brain resulting in a weaker signal of dopamine to the penis. Then, once you've removed porn (the source of dopamine) you get a very depressed sex drive. It's like a double-whammy.

To speed up the process, you can try fasting, lifting weights, interval training and cold showers.   

 

[KINGSTON32]

Thanks, that's very helpful, I appreciate it.

Best of luck!

 

[Gabe Deem]

@ Kingston32

I'm on day 5 without porn or masturbation and my question is this: how do you measure progress?

PresidentCoolidge gave you a good answer. I just wanted to add our FAQ answer as well -

"How do you know when you are rebooted?

There is no for sure way to tell if you are 100% recovered, and guys reboot for several different reasons. As far as porn-induced ED goes, you only know your recovered when you no longer have ED during sex.

There are some signs to look for though....

1. You can achieve a rock solid erection just by touching and sensation with No porn and NO fantasy! ( remember its not good to test so this should only be done if your feeling good about the following lol)

2. You feel like connecting with people and you notice satisfaction on everyday things and a sort of appreciation for small things like a cute girls smile.

3. You no longer crave porn at all but you desire to interact with real girls! This is a good sign your brain knows the old wankin habits are gone.

4. Your sexual thoughts change. Meaning when fantasies do pop up in your head they're not porn related but more natural. (example seeing a girl and insted of thinking about her bent over a chair you think about how amazing just normal good old fashion missionary sex would be)

5. You are getting fairly consistent morning wood. And maybe some spontaneous erections throughout the day.

6. Semen leakage (if you had any) like when you go to the bathroom and notice some cloudy stuff in the water after you pee.. Has stopped.

7. Sex (if you are able to have it) feels fantastic.

8. You have a desire to talk to or pursue a partner.

9. After an orgasm you do not go into a flatline.

10. Your refractory period shortens.

Like I said, no way to tell for sure, just some things to look for."

For more FAQ's check this out - http://legacy.rebootnation.org/index.php?topic=70.0

  I have no desire to watch porn at all - is a flatline/lack of interest in porn at such an early stage possible?

Yes... it happened to me and many others. It is possible that what we thought was libido before the flat line was really just our sensitized porn pathways and numbed reward circuit craving it's next fix.

 

[KINGSTON32]

Thanks

Your point 4) really resonates with me. Previously, any thought of a porn star or sexual fantasy would send me straight to the laptop! But already I can watch a TV show with an attractive woman in it, and that image is far more appealing than any porn used to be. Progress methinks....!?

 

[Viper]

Thanks

Your point 4) really resonates with me. Previously, any thought of a porn star or sexual fantasy would send me straight to the laptop! But already I can watch a TV show with an attractive woman in it, and that image is far more appealing than any porn used to be. Progress methinks....!?

Yeah,
it's easy to think about some of your favorite porn stars/scenes when you're away from it.
So like others said, you have to fill your mind with other more productive things to bump
out the junk.