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1 YEAR, 1 MONTH no PMO

Discussion in 'Success Stories' started by LifeWorthLiving!!!, Jun 24, 2017.

  1. LifeWorthLiving!!!

    LifeWorthLiving!!! Fapstronaut

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    Yesterday I hit 1 year and 1 MONTH without PMO. I wanted to share key points to refine what I have learned and help others.

    1. There are 2 systems at work in the brain, not one. One of the most powerful things that I have learned is that there are 2 main systems in my brain. The executive system, located right behind my forehead, and the limbic system, located in the central base of the brain.

    My limbic system, responsible for survival, will store peak moments that offered pleasure. Under stress, it will find a high pleasure memory and bring it up to the conscious, executive system. The executive system has a conscience and moral code. The limbic system does not carry the capacity for conscience. It leaves that job to the executive system.

    The limbic system reacts first, and will react to stresses by suggesting a way to get out of pain. It is quick to react, and brings the suggestion to the executive system to carry out the suggestion.

    If you have ever seen pornography, the memory of a high pleasure moment is stored in the limbic system. Under stress, the limbic will bring up pornography as a suggestion for the executive system to carry out. If the executive system carries out the limbic system suggestion, the body gets a high dopamine reward. But the executive brain, realizing the consequences of pornography and masturbation, can reason that this is a bad idea that leads to a pattern of losing sleep, social anxiety, inefficient work, and ultimately a repetitive pattern where the limbic system will go back to emergency mode.

    2. The executive system does not own an intrusive, PMO thought and feel ashamed by it, since the thought came from the limbic system which is a part of the brain that is responsible for survival and is not equipped with conscience. This is important, because false guilt over the origin of a thought can lead toward greater shame.

    3. The executive function has an amazing ability to stop the thought. Using verbal commands like "NO, NOT AN OPTION" or "ABSOLUTELY NOT" as an internal verbal command, the executive function system addresses the limbic system and shuts down the limbic system's demand. Think about it - a child asking for a huge piece of cake and a barking dog are similar in that they are both running on limbic system drives. Both will retreat when the executive system is engaged to say "NO". To the child, "NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT." To the dog, "NO!!" The child may cry, but the demand stops. The dog will run and bark from far away. The point - your limbic brain will stop pushing an urge in the same way that the child and the dog stopped - but only if you see the limbic brain as being separate from the executive brain.

    4. LIMBIC SYSTEM MAINTENANCE!
    If you keep the limbic brain out of emergency mode, it does not need to engage high pleasure suggestions. This is where self care is important.
    4a. Don't overcommit. NO is a powerful word to others.
    4b. Sleeping, eating well, and exercise keep the limbic system out of emergency mode. Also gives healthy dopamine amount. Some motivational videos will say don't sleep until you get your idea accomplished. This is foolish because it leads toward deprivation of the limbic brain.
    4c. Fill your life with good activities and you will have healthy dopamine levels. No fun in life means that the limbic system is deprived and will kick into emergency mode.
    4d. Effective and efficient work keeps anxiety level lower because things are done. Much less anxiety means limbic system stays out of emergency mode.

    5. Prayer and silence is key.
    5a. Silence: Be aware of what is going on between your ears. The 2 systems are tricky, but with regular silence, you can sense what's happening.
    5b. Prayer is the foundation of everything. God's grace gives the power to balance the brain, but if we don't connect throughout the day, we're spinning our wheels on everything.

    GOD'S PEACE!!!
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2017
  2. Congratulations making it a year and a month, it's truly is an accomplishment you must be proud of. Thank you for taking the time explaining the executive and limbic systems, I never really understood how the systems of the brain work until reading your posts, simply amazing! It all makes sense now and it will further help me conquer and reach my personal goals like you have. Your explations about the executive system of the brain really casts light on a problem I've had to deal with and that problem was complacency. I believe now I can utilize the executive command to dominate the limbic demands to which you explained such as NO, NOT GOING THERE, to help me control the outcome and desires. Thank you, God Bless and good luck on continuing to success.
     
  3. LifeWorthLiving!!!

    LifeWorthLiving!!! Fapstronaut

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    Thanks for the reply . The executive system command phrases are truly amazing. A lot of it is intention and tone. I speak to my limbic system like I'm truly surprised at it suggesting such a bad idea. It has been amazing, watching the process consistently work.

    I see your 99 days. 1 more to your first hundred. Congrats a day early on triple digits! Day count truly helps build confidence, I find that it's one more incentive to stay on the right path.

    GOD'S PEACE!!!
     
    Kris456 and Username1021 like this.
  4. Yes, absolutely correct. Since I started my journey I have learned more about myself than ever before. Furthermore, I've discovered there are more pieces to this puzzle than one really knows like triggers, chaser effect and now, specifically, the limbic and executive systems. It goes to show one really has to educate themselves in order to grasp what's really going on in one's mind in order to take control. Again, I want to thank you for posting all your previous posts when you did. This has been honestly a life saver! When I need encouragement or I'm uncertain about why I'm feeling a certain way at the time, I can get a little insight into what you might have been experiencing at the time. It's not so much that I'm on the verge of relapse or going back to my old patterns of behavior, its me entering uncharted territory that I have never been to, or have forgotten what it's like because I've been disconnected from my true self for so long! It shows me that you have discovered and understand the true science behind all of this and if you can accomplish your goals, so can I.

    Take care, look forward to tomorrow and live the life worth living.
     
  5. Ukulele

    Ukulele Fapstronaut

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    Hey LWL!

    Congrats on 400 days minus one. What a great accomplishment!

    Thanks for sharing the info about the 2 parts with examples. It was very clean, and easy to get. I'm discovering the power of "No." as well. Just a firm, unwaving no. It does wonders.

    Posts like yours make me look ahead with anticipation and excitement to what will be up the hills going forward. Cheers!
     
  6. Strength And Light

    Strength And Light Fapstronaut

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    Great post. Thanks for using some of your energy to help others in their pursuit of recovery. You will likely never know the true reach of this post, which shows a great deal of selflessness and empathy on your part. This community depends on and thrives on posts like this. I hope anyone who gains inspiration and understanding from it makes a similar contribution to the site. Pay it forward - we do this together!
     
    Kris456, Reborn16, JohnICT and 2 others like this.
  7. LifeWorthLiving!!!

    LifeWorthLiving!!! Fapstronaut

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    Thanks. I really do want others to experience the freedom from PMO. And by writing I remind myself of what is most important to maintain. I find myself typing it out or writing it out a few times a week.

    Thanks again for the reply.

    GOD'S PEACE!!!
     
  8. LifeWorthLiving!!!

    LifeWorthLiving!!! Fapstronaut

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    There's a lot to look forward to, believe me. Thanks for the encouragement.

    GOD'S PEACE!!!
     
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2017
  9. Jameskojorn

    Jameskojorn Fapstronaut

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    Very informative. Thank you. This is amazing advice for a beginner.
     
    LifeWorthLiving!!! likes this.
  10. cando008

    cando008 New Fapstronaut

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    Great
    great analysis. Thx.
     
    LifeWorthLiving!!! likes this.
  11. Abee

    Abee Fapstronaut

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    You have interesting learning.
    All up to psychological level.
    Great...
    I want to ask a question...
    How to live in reality when you are surrounded by lust and when you driven yourself to watch porn to get rid of it ?
    What should be our personal aim to keep all bad things aside and motivate for betterment?
    How to react in pressure that drive you towards porn?
     
  12. LifeWorthLiving!!!

    LifeWorthLiving!!! Fapstronaut

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    Good question.

    I used to think that the only way to get rid of a temptation was to give in to the temptation. Now I realize that by using the executive function of my brain, I can stop the urge, speaking to it and telling the urge "NO, NOT AN OPTION"

    GOD'S PEACE!!!
     
  13. Abee

    Abee Fapstronaut

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    I tried your way...
    In afternoon I had some feelings to watch porn but I said 'no' without thinking anything further and carry on myself. It works and I found myself more comfortable.

    before many times whenever i feel that lust, I KEPT on thinking what to do and ended up with watching porn.
    For last seven days I am really working on myself to say no and think nothing method. It makes you more comfortable than running away from your house.
     
  14. Adam adam

    Adam adam Fapstronaut

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  15. Robbiebob

    Robbiebob Fapstronaut

    Just love hearing/reading these testimonials... It go's to show it can be done & done with real success... Absolutely fantastic... Power to you.. & may God give us power to overcome...
     
  16. phwrancesco

    phwrancesco Fapstronaut

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    Hello man, just to know... how come that you relapsed? Thanks :)
     
  17. muswizzy

    muswizzy Fapstronaut

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    congratulations bro
     
  18. Can you tell us how you felt before and after rebooting? :)
     
  19. These are amazing insights here. Thank you! I wish I had read this much sooner. God bless you and well done!
     
  20. Iamworthit

    Iamworthit Fapstronaut

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    Just beautiful. Inspiring. Thanks so much for the great insights here. I'll try some of this.
     

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