Can dopamine deficiency from porn be permanent?

Wonder

Member
I seriously worried about this.

What if I can never get hard again because I have fried my dopamine receptors?

Been trying to get hard for 5 days since my gf went away I can barely get anything close to an erection. I'm seriously worried.

I've not watched porn in a month now!

I've been having regular sex the last 6 months so what gives?

Maybe it's not PIED....
Yes it is posible permanent ...sorry , i have exactly same issue for 5 years....no notable changhe in this time ....but my recomandation go to hard mode for months ...try it, for me after 2-3 month hard mode my erection become a litle better. Not good, only better after this one orgasm and flatlined again.
 
D

Deleted member 26201

Guest
Yes it is posible permanent ...sorry , i have exactly same issue for 5 years....no notable changhe in this time ....but my recomandation go to hard mode for months ...try it, for me after 2-3 month hard mode my erection become a litle better. Not good, only better after this one orgasm and flatlined again.
this is to the ‘long term’ rebooters here who have seen little to no progress in years. i stumbled across a thread from a user who had been rebooting for 3 years and had seen no improvement. he stated in an early post that his doctor had taken his testosterone test and he fell in within the ‘normal range’, with a reading of 11.5 nmol/l. the range of normal testosterone (for nmol/L is 11-30) characterises ‘normal’ for guys aged between their teens and men aged 80+. this dude had the testosterone of a pensioner and was wondering why he had sexual problems for years. it is a joke that his gp didn’t clear up that this wasn’t the normal reading for his age (early 20s).i messaged him already but it’s been years since he posted so i hope he’s still alive or worked out his issue. this problem is easily amended through use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). the fact that this possibly lead to this guy taking his life (or at best suffering miserably for 1/3 of a decade) is sickening. there are different testosterone systems besides nmol/L but readings are easily converted on google. this is so important to be aware of. nofap and pornfree are brilliant (and should be practiced either way) however this does not mean they are the solution to your sexual problems. in many cases they will be. if you’re trying to paint the mona lisa at least make sure you’re using a paintbrush.
 

Wonder

Member
this is to the ‘long term’ rebooters here who have seen little to no progress in years. i stumbled across a thread from a user who had been rebooting for 3 years and had seen no improvement. he stated in an early post that his doctor had taken his testosterone test and he fell in within the ‘normal range’, with a reading of 11.5 nmol/l. the range of normal testosterone (for nmol/L is 11-30) characterises ‘normal’ for guys aged between their teens and men aged 80+. this dude had the testosterone of a pensioner and was wondering why he had sexual problems for years. it is a joke that his gp didn’t clear up that this wasn’t the normal reading for his age (early 20s).i messaged him already but it’s been years since he posted so i hope he’s still alive or worked out his issue. this problem is easily amended through use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). the fact that this possibly lead to this guy taking his life (or at best suffering miserably for 1/3 of a decade) is sickening. there are different testosterone systems besides nmol/L but readings are easily converted on google. this is so important to be aware of. nofap and pornfree are brilliant (and should be practiced either way) however this does not mean they are the solution to your sexual problems. in many cases they will be. if you’re trying to paint the mona lisa at least make sure you’re using a paintbrush.
Before you talk nonsense, maybe you should ask !!! You seem to be talking about me, but unfortunately my testosterone level is normal, moreover testosterone has very little to do with erection. A friend of mine has a neutered dog after this have an absolutely normal erection. I'm glad you're taking care of my health, but to be sure, I also tried Nebido injection, which increased my testosterone levels even a few times above normal level and no difference. So it's absolutely certain that's not the problem.
 
D

Deleted member 26201

Guest
Yes I'm having ED.
Cannot get hard on my own, no morning wood for the last month.

Its like my last orgasm 7 days ago with my gf caused a flatline but I'm not sure.

Starting to think it's Venous Leak to be honest.
you’re on flatline relax. it’s been a month. abstain from sexual stimulation for a few months and reassess. also make sure hormone levels are in check. but be aware that ‘normal’ range for hormones covers teens to men aged 80+ so ensure that it’s normal FOR YOUR AGE. also dopamine receptors don’t ‘fry’. you’ll be fine. trust the process.
 

BigM

Member
Is not permanent

It is completely reversible and there is a body of research that proves it. I will share it below:


1. Source: Short-term abstinence effects across potential behavioral addictions: A Systematic Review (2020):

Have you heard the old Cherokee analogy about feeding the right wolf? If not, it’s pretty simple:

If there are two metaphorical wolves locked in a fight inside of you, you can decide the outcome by choosing to feed one or the other. The one that is fed becomes stronger. As one urge, or “wolf,” becomes stronger, the other becomes weaker.

At first, it can be difficult to resist the craving for porn, but with time, the urge for porn can start to fade away. Choosing healthy habits over harmful ones tends to get easier with time. And as this study shows, even avoiding porn for short periods of time can have positive effects. Although many people experience withdrawal symptoms while trying to overcome unhealthy habits, resisting those cravings is like building a muscle—the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets.

As positive influences are built into consumers’ lives and they gain more and more distance from pornography, the pathways in the brain that tell consumers they need it can start to shrink. It can be slow, but recovery is absolutely possible. So keep trying! There is hope!.

2. Source: Treatment Outcomes Using CBT-IA with Internet-addicted Patients (2013):

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a popular and effective form of therapy that focuses on helping patients recognize and let go of unhealthy or unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors.3

In this study, people who were considered to be internet-addicted—including those considered to be addicted to pornography—were treated using CBT. In other words, therapists helped them identify some of their thought patterns that were harming them rather than helping them, and helped them develop healthier ways of thinking. Turns out, the results were amazing! As the researchers noted, “over 95% of clients were able to manage symptoms at the end of the twelve weeks and 78% sustained recovery six months following treatment.

3. Source: The Assessment and Treatment of Adult Heterosexual Men With Self-perceived Problematic Pornography Use: A Review (2018):

In this review of studies, researchers looked into different types of interventions to help people who were struggling to quit porn. Some studies looked at the potential of pharmacological approaches to treating problematic porn consumption, while others analyzed the effectiveness of different therapeutic strategies. Researchers found that mindfulness-based therapies were especially effective at helping consumers learn to overcome their unhealthy porn habits.6

So what are mindfulness-based therapies? According to GoodTherapy, they are types of therapy “designed to deliberately focus a person’s attention on the present experience in a way that is non-judgmental.”7 There are a number of different forms of therapy that are based in mindfulness techniques, including dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
The researchers of the above study found that ACT, in particular, was effective at helping people give up porn. In fact, they found a 92% reduction in porn consumption after treating patients, with an 86% reduction when they followed up with patients three months later!89

As consumers learn to accept both the good and the bad as normal parts of life and learn healthier ways to deal with stressors, recovery can start to feel much more possible. Connecting to positive things in life that will support their physical, emotional, mental, and social health can make all the difference.

These connections might start off small, but practicing healthy behaviors will eventually create new neural pathways that will help turn healthy behaviors into healthy habits.

4. Source: The Roles of Shame and Guilt in Hypersexual Behavior (2011):

In this study, researchers looked at people who were seeking treatment for their problematic pornography habits. They found that while study participants who felt guilt about their porn habits were more likely to actually change their habits, those who experienced shame about their porn habits were more likely to stay stuck in an unhealthy cycle of porn consumption.11 Pretty wild, right?

So if guilt can be healthy while shame is unhealthy, what is the difference between the two? Dr. Brene Brown, a leading researcher on shame explains:

“Based on my research and the research of other shame researchers, I believe that there is a profound difference between shame and guilt. I believe that guilt is adaptive and helpful–it’s holding something we’ve done or failed to do up against our values and feeling psychological discomfort.

I define shame as the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging – something we’ve experienced, done, or failed to do makes us unworthy of connection.”12


Some people who are trying to quit porn feel that their habit makes them “bad” or “unworthy” of love and connection. But that simply isn’t true. The research is clear that shame isn’t an effective way to motivate yourself to quit porn—it just doesn’t work. So for those struggling to quit porn, having self-compassion and patience can make all the difference.

As one Fighter shared with us, “Lately I haven’t viewed or honestly even wanted to look at porn. Long story short, I remembered who I truly am—a dude with a good heart who made some poor decisions and got sucked into an addictive cycle… It showed me I’m still lovable. It broke the power shame had on me.”

Research and the experiences of thousands of people have demonstrated that the negative effects of pornography can be managed and largely reversed.1314 In fact, even in cases of serious drug and other addictions, research shows that the brain can heal over time with sustained effort.

For those reading this who feel they are struggling with pornography, you are not alone. There is hope.
This is the best piece I've read on this forum .
 

Wonder

Member
You're wrong. I suggest you do your best research on lots of research that recovering from the effects of past PMO use is completely reversible.

If you are still without libido or you are in the "flatline" 5 years ago, it is because your problems are others. I am sincere.

Sorry.
I have no other problems. Almost every night I have night erections almost all night, often in the morning. So my dick works perfectly. It's just that I'm not sexually aroused anymore. Like many I read exactly the same thing. Sorry
 
D

Deleted member 26201

Guest
My brain switched off as well, after my last orgasm to porn where I had a libido. This made me realize it was PIED.
sounds like damage to the pudendal nerve. did you use rough masturbation that day?
 

scorpion1386

Well-Known Member
sounds like damage to the pudendal nerve. did you use rough masturbation that day?

I prone masturbated that day. But I don't understand how that can be damage to the pudendal nerve when I clearly have brain fog, anhedonia from everyday pleasures, and lack of motivation along with occasional headaches from my brain. If it was the pundendal nerve, I would have constant pain and I would have problems pissing.

I mean, it could be but I highly doubt it. I really do think porn affected my brain as I was masturbated to porn quite often prior to this happening and a sonogram on my genitals didn't find anything wrong with that area.
 
D

Deleted member 26201

Guest
I prone masturbated that day. But I don't understand how that can be damage to the pudendal nerve when I clearly have brain fog, anhedonia from everyday pleasures, and lack of motivation along with occasional headaches from my brain. If it was the pundendal nerve, I would have constant pain and I would have problems pissing.

I mean, it could be but I highly doubt it. I really do think porn affected my brain as I was masturbated to porn quite often prior to this happening and a sonogram on my genitals didn't find anything wrong with that area
i mean it’s unusual. but like tbh man lack of motivation, anhedonia and brain fog are all symptoms of depression. you’re obviously pretty depressed over your sexual issues given your posts (not assuming, just going off what you have said). problems with the pudenal nerve are notorious for being poorly diagnosed or as something else. i’d go for a specific mri just in case. listen it’s only suggestions. at this stage man i don’t think it’s from porn. pied generally comes on gradually over time. it really does sound like an injury of some sort. i think you may kind of know this. doctors can make mistakes.
 

scorpion1386

Well-Known Member
i mean it’s unusual. but like tbh man lack of motivation, anhedonia and brain fog are all symptoms of depression. you’re obviously pretty depressed over your sexual issues given your posts (not assuming, just going off what you have said). problems with the pudenal nerve are notorious for being poorly diagnosed or as something else. i’d go for a specific mri just in case. listen it’s only suggestions. at this stage man i don’t think it’s from porn. pied generally comes on gradually over time. it really does sound like an injury of some sort. i think you may kind of know this. doctors can make mistakes.

It's just "depression"? Brain fog, Anhedonia, and brain fog are also symptoms of porn induced erectile dysfunction. This is unlike any depression I've ever had in my life. The brain fog is awful and unlike anything I've had prior to this. Listen, I had an erection after this happened, but it didn't happen often buddy. it's not "just" depression. How can you say that? You're not me. You're not in my body. No shit, I'm depressed over my sexual issues but this depression, anhedonia, and brain fog is not just because I'm depressedover sexual issues. It's apart of my brain imbalance due to dopamine and other various brain chemical desensitization from porn abuse.

But I truly think it's from porn. If it was an injury, I'd know. I would be in more pain. I freaked out when this happened. I'm pretty sure that this is PIED. I'm not going for an MRI. I really don't care what you think. I know my body and my symptoms better than you. Don't try diagnosing people online. If it was from what injury, I would know because I'd be in pain and I would NOT have "just" depression and brain fog with concentration issues. I've had a porn addiction since at least 2006. My libido and ability to get arousal is gone because of porn abuse.
 
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D

Deleted member 26201

Guest
It's just "depression"? Brain fog, Anhedonia, and brain fog are also symptoms of porn induced erectile dysfunction. This is unlike any depression I've ever had in my life. The brain fog is awful and unlike anything I've had prior to this. Listen, I had an erection after this happened, but it didn't happen often buddy. it's not "just" depression. How can you say that? You're not me. You're not in my body. No shit, I'm depressed over my sexual issues but this depression, anhedonia, and brain fog is not just because I'm depressedover sexual issues. It's apart of my brain imbalance due to dopamine and other various brain chemical desensitization from porn abuse.

But I truly think it's from porn. If it was an injury, I'd know. I would be in more pain. I freaked out when this happened. I'm pretty sure that this is PIED. I'm not going for an MRI. I really don't care what you think. I know my body and my symptoms better than you. Don't try diagnosing people online. If it was from what injury, I would know because I'd be in pain and I would NOT have "just" depression and brain fog with concentration issues. I've had a porn addiction since at least 2006. My libido and ability to get arousal is gone because of porn abuse.
man relax. i said i’m only offering suggestions. i feel sympathy for you and want you to live a happy life.
 

scorpion1386

Well-Known Member
man relax. i said i’m only offering suggestions. i feel sympathy for you and want you to live a happy life.

Thank you. Sorry for coming off angry...I'm just frustrated. I did have wet dreams and some semi erections after this happened so I am hopeful.
 
D

Deleted member 26201

Guest
Thank you. Sorry for coming off angry...I'm just frustrated. I did have wet dreams and some semi erections after this happened so I am hopeful.
listen man i’m 19 and have something similar. not half as bad as you what you seem to be going through but enough to be able to relate. i wouldn’t wish it on anyone. you seem like a good dude. again, only suggestions, but it might not hurt to consider an implant. especially since you’re 30+. i know it won’t end the anhedonia and brain fog. but it could restore a part of yourself that you’re still grieving.
 

scorpion1386

Well-Known Member
listen man i’m 19 and have something similar. not half as bad as you what you seem to be going through but enough to be able to relate. i wouldn’t wish it on anyone. you seem like a good dude. again, only suggestions, but it might not hurt to consider an implant. especially since you’re 30+. i know it won’t end the anhedonia and brain fog. but it could restore a part of yourself that you’re still grieving.

I don't think getting an implant would be in my benefit right now. I appreciate the suggestions though. I'm not really too interested in sex right now, to be honest. I have no real sexual desire for it, you know? The implant wouldn't help me.

I do think that I can get this libido back and fix this. Do I feel regret that I got addicted to porn at such a young age and it crippled a potential sex life in my 20's? Hell yeah, but I need to tackle the sexual porn addiction part first if I am going to make some progress.

I sometimes feel like the brain fog is worse than the penis issue I'm currently experiencing...being able to concentrate without anxious thought distortions would go a long way in fixing me.
 
D

Deleted member 26201

Guest
Thank you. Sorry for coming off angry...I'm just frustrated. I did have wet dreams and some semi erections after this happened so
I don't think getting an implant would be in my benefit right now. I appreciate the suggestions though. I'm not really too interested in sex right now, to be honest. I have no real sexual desire for it, you know? The implant wouldn't help me.

I do think that I can get this libido back and fix this. Do I feel regret that I got addicted to porn at such a young age and it crippled a potential sex life in my 20's? Hell yeah, but I need to tackle the sexual porn addiction part first if I am going to make some progress.

I sometimes feel like the brain fog is worse than the penis issue I'm currently experiencing...being able to concentrate without anxious thought distortions would go a long way in fixing me.
yeah i mean, fair. i respect your diligence. emotional intimacy is such a wonderful part of life, but very few people can engage in these relationships without sex. this is why i’d end up getting an implant if worst came to worst. not for sex, but to be able to be a candidate for that closeness with someone. i get the thing with brain fog and concentration. for me personally it feels like a symptom of anxiety. experienced severe depression in the past and many of the feelings i have now are certainly similar.
 
D

Deleted member 26201

Guest
I don't think getting an implant would be in my benefit right now. I appreciate the suggestions though. I'm not really too interested in sex right now, to be honest. I have no real sexual desire for it, you know? The implant wouldn't help me.

I do think that I can get this libido back and fix this. Do I feel regret that I got addicted to porn at such a young age and it crippled a potential sex life in my 20's? Hell yeah, but I need to tackle the sexual porn addiction part first if I am going to make some progress.

I sometimes feel like the brain fog is worse than the penis issue I'm currently experiencing...being able to concentrate without anxious thought distortions would go a long way in fixing me.
however, i saw that you have attempted suicide over this. it is not my place to speak on this. but your life is worth so much more than a 45 minute surgery man.
 

scorpion1386

Well-Known Member
yeah i mean, fair. i respect your diligence. emotional intimacy is such a wonderful part of life, but very few people can engage in these relationships without sex. this is why i’d end up getting an implant if worst came to worst. not for sex, but to be able to be a candidate for that closeness with someone. i get the thing with brain fog and concentration. for me personally it feels like a symptom of anxiety. experienced severe depression in the past and many of the feelings i have now are certainly similar.

It really is. Definitely understandable. But I am emotionally numb and have these brain fog and concentration issues which I can feel that it's induced from porn...it's important that I abstain and just wait it out and not indulge too much into sexual content so my brain neurochemistry can heal.

What's good an implant for me, if I have brain fog and concentration problems with emotional numbness? You know?
 

scorpion1386

Well-Known Member
however, i saw that you have attempted suicide over this. it is not my place to speak on this. but your life is worth so much more than a 45 minute surgery man.

I did? I don't remember doing so. Whatever the case, I'm better now than I was than (if I did).
 
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