Sleep

[Stargazer1111]

I grew up on porn. I started when I was 11 back in 1995.

At this point, I can go about 10 days before I start getting serious withdrawals. The major stumbling block for me is that I eventually hit a point at which I cannot sleep at all. I'll go the entire night without sleeping unless I watch porn. Once I watch porn, I can finally fall asleep.

I am in school so I cannot force my way past this because I cannot afford to lose sleep like this. I also have a very restricted zero carb diet because of a pancreatic disorder, so I can't really take any supplements to help.

Anyone have any advice? I have a pretty unique situation due to the pancreas issue.

 

[TheGuy]

Yo Stargazer1111, I know exactly what you are talking about with regard to sleep.  I study at uni at a pretty intense course and have suffered sleep withdrawal too which kills your memory.  Try this: 'Melatonin'.  Its the chemical your body naturally produces to bring on sleep.  You can order it in pill form online from somewhere like www.iherb.com and you shouldn't need a prescription but check your local laws or speak to your doctor.

Because its a natural substance occurring in your body your pancreas might be able to cope with it.  If you can, get the 5mg time release.  Just take it about 1 hour before bed, don't do anything that will raise your adrenalin or make sure you relax during that hour and you should be able to sleep.  It also helps to do exercise during the day and take a cold (nothing but cold tap) shower in combination with melatonin.
Good luck man!

 

[Stargazer1111]

Unfortunately, I cannot take melatonin. It raises my insulin levels which causes horrible hypoglycemia. This is part of my pancreatic issues.

This might be why it affects sleep when we withdraw from porn: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120619225725.htm

Dopamine receptors begin to recover and we have a transient surge in dopamine levels as the brain recovers. The increased dopamine inhibits melatonin release.

I am in school majoring in biochemistry, so I am interested in the biochemical nature of porn addiction and recovery.