NoFap And Video Games.

Do you mean the video games that contain arousing material ??

 

My therapist told me videogames is a good thing.

First of all its a distraction

Secondly it may be a dopamine release but its not as powerful so it will help you to get used to that level of excitement.

And it works a different part of the brain.

Just stay away from games that could cause triggers.

 

i dont think games are a good thing to be honest,

what do they give you in the end? Pleasure? they kill your time?

and than what

nothing

i would advice you to do something like making art, paintings, working out, eating health, reading up on topics you like

do something to be proud off
other than just pushing some buttons to recieve short stimulation

 

I don't see playing video game as a problem, unless you realize this is another addiction.

For example: if you spend too many hours playing, skip meals time without realizing it, trade social time with family friends for playing, etc. These are indicators that video game may be an addiction too.

In that case, you're just replacing PM addiction to video game addiction, which is not good.

I suggest a diversified approach: try to replace the PM addiction with a "combo" of other activities that, all together, are going to benefit you, like: practicing sports, learning a new language, learning to play an instrument, seeing people more often, studying, reading, and why not, playing video games. But do all that with moderation, in a healthy way: no excess.

 

may i make a guess without judging you?

You play video games yourself?

 

I consider myself a video game addicted. When I had video games, I used to have all that excess behaviors I mentioned in my answer.

I sold my video games in order to put my life in order, and nowadays I avoid playing at all cost (that includes smartphone games too, which has the same damage potential for me).

Also, I practice all those things I mentioned in order to replace my addictions and keep my mind busy and satisfied with other things.

However dude, I have friends that have a much more healthier use of the games than me, and I can see that's a good thing. The real problem is when the habit becomes obsession, and that's all you wanna do and think about. If I could play video games in a healthy way, that would enter in the list of "things to do to avoid PM addiction".

Funny fact: I play chess, and this game does not have the addiction effect on me. That's the only game I found that does not "arrest" me.

 

I want to thank you from deep whitin for elaborating this

i am glad to read that you kicked the habit, but one thing i dont understand. you tell another man that you dont see video games as a problem? but you had a big addiciton problem with them?

This gives mixed signals

i see video games as a problem, the violence, the fast dopamine response

i see every day in real life males that are my age who are completely unmotivated to do ANYTHING even the dishes or waternig the plants they cant do anymore, just because they are hooked on the fast rewarding games like OVERWATCH and they are DIING to know what new characteres come out before they stress over a new realtionship or anything real life related

that makes me sad you know , the new caracters in the game , are all just pixels they are nothing more than 010101010101010101 that gives you , in my opiinion, absolutely nothing but fast pleasure

but hey who am i to Judge? I looked at P for more than half my life after all

 

What the fuck does it have to do with anything ? It's like sayin' "are PMO and peanut butter related?".IT'S COMPLETE FUCKING NONSENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know what the fuck is wrong with some of you guys, I think your brain is just SO fucked up by PMO that you see its presence just EVERYWHERE.Your WHOLE LIFE is overwhelmed by that fucking addiction.I say you probably gonna flatline hard homie.

 

so just stop with videogames than and go about your real dreams and desires

at the end of the day, videogames bring you absolutely nothing
(except when you earn a living with it)

and please dont say that it gives you pleasure, i understand that , other things can too

just stop for a month and see how more productive you are

 

I understand your point @Harrynak , but I disagree towards considering it a problem in general.

Let me explain: when I'm talking for me, I can say that playing video games is a problem; as I said, I'm an addicted. However, as I said also, I have personal friends who can have a really good time playing video games, and that's healthy. That's where I diverge from you, since playing video games, for these friends of mine is a good, healthy thing.

You're right when you say that's only 0101010101. However, putting video games on a "bad things list" just for that reason would be the same as putting "going to the movies", "enjoying a song", "laughing with friends", etc., on the "bad things list" just because it won't bring you anything but "fast pleasure".

I mean, having pleasure is not a problem. Being addicted is the problem. We are human, and we need to have fun, to have distractions, to feel pleasure! However, when your activities become obsessive and you practice them with excess, that may be addiction. And addiction, you know, does not bring pleasure, happiness, and is not productive or healthy, because all of its bad consequences.

In my opinion, it's really ok if you find something to do that brings you pleasure and happiness. Actually, I really believe that when you allow you to have fun in a balanced way, you can actually be more productive in your day-to-day duties and goals.

 

Yes you are right my friend, sometimes i get so caught up in views from my own perspective ( i never play videogames) that i start to believe that THAT IS BEST FOR EVERYONE.

but offcourse if one can enjoy video games whitout addiction, than its fine

aldo i think that addiction is Always on the lookout when someone starts playing videogames from a young age, i see children these days who dont want to play outside anymore, only play minecraft

thanks for your insights it is much appricieated

 

I remeber some people wrote they coped with dopamine withdrawal with video games, once they stopped pmo. Maybe it useful at the beginning, but be careful, video game addiction is real, just like pmo addiction.

 

Unfortunately that's a reality nowadays; true!

 

I was severely addicted to MMORPGs years ago, I spent months in my room playing those, not going outside, not talking to anyone (sometimes even in-game).

Since then, I only played maybe a dozen times, and I feel bad after playing any competitive games online, even something like chess. So, I avoid any online multiplayer games. The only games I can play are non-competitive single-player games (like puzzles) or playing together with my friends while being physically together and socializing, which is a part of my recovery.

 

I’m on the fence about this as well. I’m very curious as to the right answer. I have read good points on both sides. And yes I do play video games myself, and wondered if I should stop for awhile. I have a Xbox one X and I used to play a mobile game, the popular super cell ones, a lot every day also. I still do play that game but sooo much less than I used to. I still do enjoy playing Xbox. But some times I go days without playing, and the days that I do play, it’s less than 2 hours or so total usually.

Yes I understand there’s no real point, afterwards you haven’t accomplished anything, but that could be said with most hobbies out there also. So my question isn’t whether or not it’s a waste of time. Of course it is. But it is also fun, and it can be social, me and my brother in law play together often.

My question would be more for health reasons and helping to heal my brain faster. I mean video games and PMO can go hand in hand, I used to do both. Almost at about the same time unfortunately.

I’m on the fence, if you put it before your life, eating, work, or family, that’s a problem for sure. But if your like me who plays probably less than 5-6 hours a week or so, and sometimes even if that... is it really a problem??

 

I think video games is not a big deal if you can limit yourself 2 hours at most per day. That should be enough for 3-4 sessions of most battle royale game, or 8 FIFA games, or 2 DOTA/LOL games.

The key is : TIME MANAGEMENT

I am a gamer and still managed to land myself in a reputable university in my country. Pretty much my whole life is okay. I just lost motivation and spirit after I fap. That's all. If you find yourself playing video games and neglecting your class, your diet, your family, etc then YES you are addicted to video games. And that needs a whole different forum to tackle that one.