Withdrawal Symptoms

Since we know that pornography addiction causes desensitization (read: https://www.yourbrainonporn.com/tools-for-change-recovery-from-porn-addiction/rebooting-basics-start-here/desensitization-a-numbed-pleasure-response/ for details) we can safely assume that upon quitting pornography our brains will not be able to produce enough dopamine to regulate itself. In effect this will cause a dopamine deficiency in the brain. All dopamine deficiency symptoms are as follows:

  • muscle cramps, spasms, or tremors
  • aches and pains
  • stiffness in the muscles
  • loss of balance
  • constipation
  • weight gain
  • gastroesophageal reflux disease
  • frequent pneumonia
  • trouble sleeping or disturbed sleep
  • low energy
  • an inability to focus
  • moving or speaking more slowly than usual
  • feeling fatigued
  • feeling demotivated
  • feeling inexplicably sad or tearful
  • mood swings
  • feeling hopeless
  • having low self-esteem
  • feeling guilt-ridden
  • feeling anxious
  • suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm
  • low sex drive
  • hallucinations
  • delusions
  • lack of insight or self-awareness

(resource: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320637#causes)

There are also some withdrawal symptoms which are exclusive to pornography addiction such as:

  • seminal leakage
  • pornography induced erectile dysfunction

Other personal withdrawal symptoms I’ve experienced:

  • finger tingling
  • headaches
  • oversleeping
  • depression
  • heart palpitations
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Some people may not have any withdrawal symptoms. Some people may have only some of these symptoms, and some people may have all of them. It all depends on the amount of desensitization your brain has been exposed to.

If you are in the middle of nopmo and are experiencing withdrawal symptoms just know that this isn’t going to last forever. Your brain will eventually upregulate it’s production of dopamine and things will become infinitely better. It’ll be as night and day for you. Keep going! No pain no gain right?

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