No internet and porn for 90 days

[-Samurai-]

I honestly find it a little pathetic that our society has become so reliant on the internet that not using it for a lengthy amount of time is seen as some sort of milestone achievement.

People did shit before the internet and were just fine.

 

[axlryder]

how does porn damage your brain?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cupids-poisoned-arrow/201106/ominous-news-porn-users-internet-addiction-atrophies-brains
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2008/11/04/bad-news-for-cyberporn-internet-sex-linked-to-depression-anxiety/

porn in and of itself isn't necessarily bad, as I said earlier. It doesn't, however, offer the same positive effects as real intimacy and can result in a laundry list of issues when viewed too much or too frequently, it would seem. It's sort of like gambling or drugs without the immediate health risks. It's all rather under-researched, however. People are having trouble getting funding for brain-mapping studies and the like. It's one of the reasons I'm doing this. I want to see the difference for myself (if there is any difference to be seen). I've already exhibited many symptoms that seem to be associated with internet and porn addictions so I'm hoping that cutting them out will have a positive effect.

 

[axlryder]

Regardless, the neighbors have chosen tonight as the night to have their ridiculously loud party, and I won't be able to sleep a wink until they cut it out.

With excuses like that, I've no doubt this effort of yours will be extremely successful.

*goes back to enjoying the internet*

Haha, it's funny, because your sarcastic skepticism is unhelpful without really being clever. All that internet use must have really helped shape you into a quality individual.

 

[axlryder]

I honestly find it a little pathetic that our society has become so reliant on the internet that not using it for a lengthy amount of time is seen as some sort of milestone achievement.

People did shit before the internet and were just fine.

Yes, but then, that's the nature of addiction. That's kind of the whole point. If someone isn't a smoker, of course they're not going to think much of not smoking for the next 90 days.

 

[ThePenguinKnight]

I have a lot of imagination and plenty of offline games, I could go 90 days. Although I admit, not having the ability to keep up with the social sites I go to would probably bother me the entire time.

 

[Kouen]

No Porn wouldnt bother me, dont look at it anyways...

but given im in the middle of no where with no one within walking distance to talk too... Internet is more needed

If I had too, I could pull the cord. But I would rather not

 

[Olas]

You know what happens when you cut back on processed sugar? You get healthier. You know what happens when you cut processed sugar out of your diet entirely? You get much healthier. You know which one will help you to get healthier faster? If you guessed the latter, you'd be right. You see, the problem is that the starving yourself and drinking shakes isn't healthy because you're not giving your body what it NEEDS. Your body doesn't need aimless internet browsing and it sure has hell doesn't NEED porn. Now, if someone has a SERIOUS alcohol addiction, you don't tell them to cut back, you put them in rehab. Guess what they don't do in rehab. Give them alcohol. Also, when did I I'm never going to browse the internet or look at porn again? Three months is a far cry from "never drinking another drop".

Point is, you're using poor examples as a way to reinforce your own flimsily subjective views.

You know, I'm gonna have to disagree with you on this, it's very rare that giving up something entirely is preferable to simple moderation. Obviously if you're a recovering alcoholic you have to avoid it completely to avoid relapsing, but otherwise a little alcohol tends to be good for you, at least physically.
Ever heard of allergy injections? Vaccinations? They both work on the assumption that exposing yourself to small amounts of something generally considered bad for you can make your body stronger, not weaker.

As to your processed sugar argument; if by giving up processed sugar you mean switching from it to natural (impure) sugar, you are right. Natural sugar has more nutrients which are good for you. Processed sugar may not have these additional nutrients, being a much purer substance, but it's not bad for the body. The right amount of sugar, of any kind, is better than none at all.
I hate how people demonize certain substances simply because it's unhealthy with overconsumption. Guess what, EVERYTHING is unhealthy when overconsumed.

 

[Ninonybox_v1legacy]

You madman!
Oh well, best of luck to you friend.

 

[Athinira]

Jesus, all I use the internet for is Facebook, here and porn.

Is there anything else? I mean, really.

Well there is Google... so you can find your porn.

 

[RatRace123]

I can't imagine going even one day without porn. You are a brave, brave man.

God speed.

 

[Grey Day for Elcia]

Regardless, the neighbors have chosen tonight as the night to have their ridiculously loud party, and I won't be able to sleep a wink until they cut it out.

With excuses like that, I've no doubt this effort of yours will be extremely successful.

*goes back to enjoying the internet*

My my, it seems someone's being a negative Nancy.


OT: I'll be interested in hearing about your results. Make sure to make a thread about it when your experiment is over.

Negative to some, soul crushingly realistic to others. You understand, right, person with a subzero heart?

You know what happens when you cut back on processed sugar? You get healthier. You know what happens when you cut processed sugar out of your diet entirely? You get much healthier. You know which one will help you to get healthier faster? If you guessed the latter, you'd be right. You see, the problem is that the starving yourself and drinking shakes isn't healthy because you're not giving your body what it NEEDS. Your body doesn't need aimless internet browsing and it sure has hell doesn't NEED porn. Now, if someone has a SERIOUS alcohol addiction, you don't tell them to cut back, you put them in rehab. Guess what they don't do in rehab. Give them alcohol. Also, when did I I'm never going to browse the internet or look at porn again? Three months is a far cry from "never drinking another drop".

Point is, you're using poor examples as a way to reinforce your own flimsily subjective views.

You know, I'm gonna have to disagree with you on this, it's very rare that giving up something entirely is preferable to simple moderation. Obviously if you're a recovering alcoholic you have to avoid it completely to avoid relapsing, but otherwise a little alcohol tends to be good for you, at least physically.
Ever heard of allergy injections? Vaccinations? They both work on the assumption that exposing yourself to small amounts of something generally considered bad for you can make your body stronger, not weaker.

As to your processed sugar argument; if by giving up processed sugar you mean switching from it to natural (impure) sugar, you are right. Natural sugar has more nutrients which are good for you. Processed sugar may not have these additional nutrients, being a much purer substance, but it's not bad for the body. The right amount of sugar, of any kind, is better than none at all.
I hate how people demonize certain substances simply because it's unhealthy with overconsumption. Guess what, EVERYTHING is unhealthy when overconsumed.

Those crash diets and lifestyles people get into, where you only eat one type of food or totally eliminate entire food groups, really pisses me off. In my eyes, it's a way for people to avoid taking responsibility and to blame something else, be it carbs, protein or McDonalods. Rather than admit they simply refuse to take control and enjoy something responsibly, they blame something else and act as if eliminating it will make them better.

Discipline and self-control seem to be qualities rather than standards nowadays.

 

[ImperialSunlight]

No porn, one tab only, final destination.

Eh, I'm not that crazy.

 

[Dragonpit]

Wow, that's a tough one. I certainly hope you succeed, but you are undoubtedly going to be tempted. Okay, so first off, the closest I came to doing such a thing was going three weeks without a video game. It worked out and I felt no withdrawal symptoms. Why three weeks? Because that's supposedly how long it takes to break a habit. Anyway, I cannot join you on this journey due to school. Internet is a big part of it, for better or for worse, being an interpersonal communications class. Having said that, let me give you a couple of tips.

1. For all the time left vacant from the lack of internet and porn, try to fill it with something else. If you leave yourself idle for too long, you're going to be brought back to it in the form of temptation and you don't need that. Keep yourself busy with other things!

2. Set up milestones. It makes the whole thing seem shorter.

3. That said, many people have tried and wound up cheating within a week or so, so keep in mind that going that long is still an accomplishment, even if you don't make the full ninety days. No need to stack extra pressure on yourself.

I wish you well on your sojourn. May you make front page news.

 

[Yopaz]

Personally I couldn't give up internet for 90 days. All my assignments and my exam dates (and rooms) are on there so I have to use the internet for essential things almost daily. Even Facebook is a part of my essential activity since I'm currently working on an assignment where we use Facebook as a tool to communicate. I could probably do it if you look apart from the essential stuff though.

Still I wish you good luck on going 90 days without it.

 

[axlryder]

You know what happens when you cut back on processed sugar? You get healthier. You know what happens when you cut processed sugar out of your diet entirely? You get much healthier. You know which one will help you to get healthier faster? If you guessed the latter, you'd be right. You see, the problem is that the starving yourself and drinking shakes isn't healthy because you're not giving your body what it NEEDS. Your body doesn't need aimless internet browsing and it sure has hell doesn't NEED porn. Now, if someone has a SERIOUS alcohol addiction, you don't tell them to cut back, you put them in rehab. Guess what they don't do in rehab. Give them alcohol. Also, when did I I'm never going to browse the internet or look at porn again? Three months is a far cry from "never drinking another drop".

Point is, you're using poor examples as a way to reinforce your own flimsily subjective views.

You know, I'm gonna have to disagree with you on this, it's very rare that giving up something entirely is preferable to simple moderation. Obviously if you're a recovering alcoholic you have to avoid it completely to avoid relapsing, but otherwise a little alcohol tends to be good for you, at least physically.
Ever heard of allergy injections? Vaccinations? They both work on the assumption that exposing yourself to small amounts of something generally considered bad for you can make your body stronger, not weaker.

As to your processed sugar argument; if by giving up processed sugar you mean switching from it to natural (impure) sugar, you are right. Natural sugar has more nutrients which are good for you. Processed sugar may not have these additional nutrients, being a much purer substance, but it's not bad for the body. The right amount of sugar, of any kind, is better than none at all.
I hate how people demonize certain substances simply because it's unhealthy with overconsumption. Guess what, EVERYTHING is unhealthy when overconsumed.

You do have a point, but I still stand by mine in this scenario. The thing is, a little alcohol is good for you (though not right before bed, as any amount taken consistently before can result in chronic anxiety in some individuals), but the idea is that, since I've already taken on some addictive traits, I'm avoiding it for the very reason that I want to avoid relapsing and the inevitable stress generated by unnecessary temptation. I also think the recovery will be faster that way. Vaccinations do work under the principle of building up an immunity through antibodies, which, funnily enough, is part of the reason why excessive porn is dangerous (or any addiction for that matter). Your brain builds up a tolerance to it and thus requires further stimulation to achieve similar results, ultimately creating a numbing effect.

As to sugar, yes, one would replace it with a healthier alternative in that case (fruit, vegetables, raw sugar perhaps, etc.). That's what I did. Obviously your body needs some form of glucose, lol. However, white processed sugar has been found to be toxic to our bodies in quite a few studies (primarily because it's been so refined. It's similar in property to bleached flour). All I can say is, after mostly cutting it out, I certainly feel a lot better.

Now, I wasn't planning on giving up internet forever, as I said to the other guy, this is sort of like a detox period. We'll see what happens. I agree about moderation in general.

 

[axlryder]

Regardless, the neighbors have chosen tonight as the night to have their ridiculously loud party, and I won't be able to sleep a wink until they cut it out.

With excuses like that, I've no doubt this effort of yours will be extremely successful.

*goes back to enjoying the internet*

My my, it seems someone's being a negative Nancy.


OT: I'll be interested in hearing about your results. Make sure to make a thread about it when your experiment is over.

Negative to some, soul crushingly realistic to others. You understand, right, person with a subzero heart?

You know what happens when you cut back on processed sugar? You get healthier. You know what happens when you cut processed sugar out of your diet entirely? You get much healthier. You know which one will help you to get healthier faster? If you guessed the latter, you'd be right. You see, the problem is that the starving yourself and drinking shakes isn't healthy because you're not giving your body what it NEEDS. Your body doesn't need aimless internet browsing and it sure has hell doesn't NEED porn. Now, if someone has a SERIOUS alcohol addiction, you don't tell them to cut back, you put them in rehab. Guess what they don't do in rehab. Give them alcohol. Also, when did I I'm never going to browse the internet or look at porn again? Three months is a far cry from "never drinking another drop".

Point is, you're using poor examples as a way to reinforce your own flimsily subjective views.

You know, I'm gonna have to disagree with you on this, it's very rare that giving up something entirely is preferable to simple moderation. Obviously if you're a recovering alcoholic you have to avoid it completely to avoid relapsing, but otherwise a little alcohol tends to be good for you, at least physically.
Ever heard of allergy injections? Vaccinations? They both work on the assumption that exposing yourself to small amounts of something generally considered bad for you can make your body stronger, not weaker.

As to your processed sugar argument; if by giving up processed sugar you mean switching from it to natural (impure) sugar, you are right. Natural sugar has more nutrients which are good for you. Processed sugar may not have these additional nutrients, being a much purer substance, but it's not bad for the body. The right amount of sugar, of any kind, is better than none at all.
I hate how people demonize certain substances simply because it's unhealthy with overconsumption. Guess what, EVERYTHING is unhealthy when overconsumed.

Those crash diets and lifestyles people get into, where you only eat one type of food or totally eliminate entire food groups, really pisses me off. In my eyes, it's a way for people to avoid taking responsibility and to blame something else, be it carbs, protein or McDonalods. Rather than admit they simply refuse to take control and enjoy something responsibly, they blame something else and act as if eliminating it will make them better.

Discipline and self-control seem to be qualities rather than standards nowadays.

Yes, we've been made aware of your narrow-minded view and poor correlation skills. Also, your "soul-crushing realism" is about a soul-crushing as your debating skills are competent. That is: not very.

 

[Aprilgold]

Spoiler

how does porn damage your brain?

Well from the quote the OP posted, it seems like he needs better sources. Gaming isn't a addiction, its compulsion, you are compelled to play the game, you don't have a physical dependence on it.

If you wondering what site it is, its here. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cupids-poisoned-arrow/201106/ominous-news-porn-users-internet-addiction-atrophies-brains

Within a second of checking out the front page I could easily tell that it is incorrect or just outright assumes things to get people aggravated to view them, while there is very little truth behind it. Its made to get gullible people to believe what it says in order to get money to keep doing this vicious cycle. It doesn't seem 'legit' and seems like it only exists to push certain messages that are rather shallow.

A quote from the article.

Online porn and video gaming stimulate the brain in comparable ways

Compare these two quotations. Which is about porn addiction and which is about gaming addiction?

We don't have sex anymore. We don't go on date nights or anything together. I feel so guilty because I just can't take it anymore. Ever since 2 weeks into our marriage I was threatening to divorce him.

Three of my friends did realize they had a problem, but 2 of them said they've made attempts to quit, and they literally think there's nothing they can do about it. *

Firstly, Sex Addiction is not highly real, as it is a craving or something to fill a void, Alcohol can fit this but, like Nicotine, you will feel very much forced to need a smoke or whatever. With Sex, you don't have such a high craving. Just because you want sex does not mean that you can't go without sex.

Video Games, once again, are a compulsion, which I find Sex to be.
A compulsion doesn't develop a forced need. Seriously, try seeing a smoker deal with not having a smoke for the day, then compare that to someone who hasn't gotten off in a month, more then likely, the Smoker will be more quick to anger and the person who hasn't had Sex will be harder to anger.

Masturbating, and whatever you use to get off, is not going to cause you to turn into a sex maniac like smoking cigarettes can cause you to highly want and alter your mood if you don't get a smoke.

Can you give some details on the research you've done?

Just google internet addiction, there have been several big studies. There's an article I linked above about internet porn addiction. The potentially negative effects are honestly pretty under-researched. I can't really be assed to find the other sources.

You can't be assed to find other resources and as such the one, very shoddy site that you find that supports your viewpoint is automatically the best resource? Internet addiction is not real, same with Sex addiction and Gaming addiction, all three are compulsions. For quick and easy sake, were going to compare Internet Compulsion or Addiction to that of being addicted to Cigarettes. Internet Compulsion is the want to get onto the internet, it will not make you quicker to anger or to act out rashly and snap at others. Now, if a chain smoker suddenly can't smoke anymore, they will most likely snap at people over little things. They feel the NEED to smoke, not the WANT to smoke, I don't feel a NEED to get on the internet, I WANT to get on the internet.

Being on the internet a lot, or looking at online porn, or playing games will not change my mindset at all if I went cold turkey. I would not have to be locked out or lose my interenet by request in order to not get my 'fix'.

Honestly, you link to a site which has several titles such as "What men REALLY want." Yes, the people who know exactly what a man 'wants' obviously is the single best resource for things like compulsion or addiction.

Learn the medical differences between, just for simplicity, smoking addiction and crack addiction and things called 'Withdrawls' that happen if a person is not constantly getting their fix. Then look at the word compulsion and compare the two. Addiction almost always creates a physical craving for something, the internet compulsion will not have the issues that Compulsion bring forward.

I honestly find it a little pathetic that our society has become so reliant on the internet that not using it for a lengthy amount of time is seen as some sort of milestone achievement.

People did shit before the internet and were just fine.

Yes, but then, that's the nature of addiction. That's kind of the whole point. If someone isn't a smoker, of course they're not going to think much of not smoking for the next 90 days.

I'm going to straight up say it, this whole statement is my issue with you right now. Your comparing compulsion to games to someone going cold turkey on Smoking. Its fucking bullshit and you know why. Gaming is not a physical fucking dependency that your mind just continually craves in order to get it, it is a fucking compulsion to enjoy ones self. Smoking and then stopping causes fucking 'Withdrawls' which are because of the physical dependency, not from a want.

Do whatever the fuck you want with your free time mate, but you have very bad sources, need to read up more on medical definitions of words and, preferably that you actually learn about withdrawls of different substances versus what a compulsion is.

Yes, we've been made aware of your narrow-minded view and poor correlation skills. Also, your "soul-crushing realism" is about a soul-crushing as your debating skills are competent. That is: not very.

Just so you are aware, going into something like say becoming a vegiterian can fuck you up because your eliminating one major thing you gain commonly from meat foods. There are reasons why Vegians have to take certain pills in order to stay healthy, because they are gaining one less necessary protein.

And while I'm on it, simply learn that your opinion is not always correct, and this goes for my whole above statement, it is my opinion that your opinion is shitty and you need to look at some facts about what Smoking withdrawls cause compared to what a Compulsion is.

Still on topic, creating a thread because your going to go offline for 90 days isn't a award, you should be doing it on your own without the help of others, because no one on here is going to follow through with it, and everybody saying that getting off the internet for ninety days is hard, it really isn't, just you don't have something else to fill that time void.

I'm not trying to flame, I honestly am not, but man, I am so fucking sick and god-damn tired of people thinking that, just because their going to do something, that they need a forum to know. Its grounds for discussion, but there is none here because of all the incorrect information being tossed out. Its hard to discuss the quality of a gold trophy when you do not know how to judge ones value or what gold is.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

If I read books every week I do not gain a physical addiction to reading books, same comes with being on the internet. If I smoke a pack a week then I will have a addiction to smoking, which can cause physical and phycological back-lash.

Once again, its impossible to become a book-o-holic, just the same it is to be addicted to something that is a compulsion.

 

[axlryder]

snip

So let's get this straight here. Gambling isn't an addiction? That's what you're saying? It's a compulsion? Let's just clear that right up.