Is fapping to the imagination okay ?

Pretty close to PMO - MOing to false things, women you aren't in a relationship with, objectifying them, etc. In some ways it's worse, because your imagination is limitless.

 

Studies have been done regarding this topic. They did a brainscan and looked at what neural paths were activated if people were watching porn or just fantasizing. In both tests it activated the same paths. Especially in the case of an PMO addict. When you fantasize the chance is high you start fantasizing about porn.

So if you want to reboot properly I suggest you just lay off at least P and M (O for if you don't have a partner etc.)

 

But did it activate those neural paths to the same degree? This detail is crucial.

One would expect that imagining something would activate the same parts of the brain as actually seeing it. But this might not be the full picture of what's going on.

The couple of times I recently masturbated without porn, it didn't feel like it had the same addictive rush as when using porn. Of course, this is only my limited experience. And it's also worth pointing out that I masturbated after 90 days of no PMO, so perhaps I had healed somewhat from my previous PMO issues?

This is a good point. So maybe, once someone has properly rebooted it's possible to masturbate to more healthy/realistic fantasies of women, once we have forgotten the weird/extreme stuff that tends to happen in porn?

 

It's not inherently bad, as basically all things. But you should definitely learn to get off without having to think of anything, if you can masturbate without having to watch porn or imagining hot stuff (uwu) you are good to go, try jerking off in front of a mirror to get comfortable with yourself and keep your eyes open (stopping basically 90% of the hot thoughts lol).

 

Please give me a link to this study.

 

I agree with you, I'd love to have a link for the study the dude mentioned but yeah. I'd definitely recommend trying to masturbate focusing on yourself, and with your eyes open, because this is much close to sex the masturbating to your imagination.

 

Definitely no.
Masturbation without lust is debatable, but fantasizing is almost as bad as porn.

 

No.

 

Hey dudes, I get your concerns.
The study is called: Why does a vivid memory 'feel so real?' done by Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care.

The book 'Your Brain on Porn' by Gary Wilson also mentions it:
"Reasearch on mental imagery indicates that fantasising or imagining and experience activates many of the same neural circuits as performing it. Most people report that avoiding fantasy early in a reboot is very helpful - including during sex with a partner - because it reduces cravings. However, if someone has little sexual experience, it may eventually be helpful to engage in realistic fantasy about real potential partners in order to help rewire the brain to real people (instead of screens). After all, humans have been engaging in sexual fantasy for eons. Avoid placing real people into your favourtie porn scenarios, however."


But here is the thing though. If you have absolutely zero sexual experience and your only education about sex came from porno, then it's harder to fantasize without putting it in a porn related scene.

 

I think this is not the best thing to do. I depends per person and your goals though! Some people might get a huge Chaser effect and relapse.
Also I think you should only do this after a complete reboot. If you do this during a reboot you are only making the reboot harder for yourself and delay your progression.

 

What about fapping to sensation?

 

By sensation?

 

Masturbating to sensation, yes?

 

If you can control your mind then I don't see a problem. However, some dudes did developed death grip syndrome because of years of violent fapping. But it's up to you if you feel like you have that or not.