Masturbating without watching pornography

Hello everyone, I just signed up right now and before I get into my topic, I got to say, I respect everyone on this website who is doing there best to abstain from watching porn and stray away from the negative effects it has on our perception towards woman.

I could honestly say that I am addicted to watching pornography. I am still going through withdrawal symptoms like headaches, irritability, aggression, and frustration. I have however stopped watching porn for maybe 2-4 weeks? (I lost count because I did relapse recently.) it's tough avoiding pornography especially killing the craving because of the easy access of pages and pictures you see from social media (mostly instagram) and the moment I see a sexy and attractive person (in person or online) or a nearly naked girl (online), I start to feel the temptations and withdrawals hitting me like a truck.

Since I have stopped watching porn, that meant that I stopped masturbating too. I spoke to a nurse and she told me that it is healthy to masturbate.

So that being said... what are your thoughts of masturbating towards a picture of an attractive naked women or even a girl you may know as a substitute for pornography? Would doing this still mean you are relapsing?

Sup man!

Check this out:
https://yourbrainonporn.com/what-about-fantasizing-during-reboot

In short, any fantasizing are pathways that ignite the unwanted brain effects your brain has when you watch porn.  It is best to not watch P or fantasize to speed your process during your reboot.

What I am trying to do as of late is that when I have urges I resort to meditation.  I would take a deep breath in for 3 secs then exhale for 3 seconds.  Why do this, I focus my attention on my breathing.  After a couple minutes of focusing on my breathing I focus on the sounds around me and really tune into my environment.

I hope this helps and wish you nothing but the best.  We can get through this!!!

-PHI415

Hi Ineedhelp,

I dont advise you to do M, because it drains your energy, and that doesnt give you a sharp mind. And if stop using your sharp mind for long periods of time, it will start to desapear, like a muscle that isnt used, it starts to shrink. Other thing that helps alot is that you will feel more connected with your life, and know better what you realy what to do in any moment, and be more stable and less anxious.

My main motivation, by now, is the fact that i get to use  a sharper mind.

It is just not worth to do M.

If you are really looking forward to do this, do from the perspective that you will finish it of for ever, this isnt to be temporary just to get some "powers". Do it with the intention of really not going back to PMO, forever. It is painfull but worth it. The reboot program isnt a temporary thing to do, and then once you are done, you can do what ever. The reboot program is already your new and sweet life.

I telling you this because i sometimes fall to that idea, so just making sure that i am helping you the best way i think at the moment.

I wish for you to acomplish your dreams as i wish for myself.

I'd agree with the advice above. Giving up porn but keeping up M is sort of like giving up smoking crack for weed. You're not going to have the same issues but your brain is still giving the same signals. Dopamine = reward, so keep on M. Fantasy isn't very good for recovery. Going hard mode really can help. It's helped me tremendously.

Might be the most difficult thing you've ever done. But it's so worth it. MO takes a tremendous amount of energy from your body, and by giving it up both your mind and body will feel SO much better (and look better too, perhaps).

Thanks for the replies. I completely understand what all of you mean. I've definitely have been masturbating lately and its true that once i'm done, I crave the have sex or want to watch porn again. Will try to abstain from masturbating.