Parsing the benefits of porn abstention from the benefits of semen retention

I am not sure. I am pretty sure your hunch is mostly correct. I have been more free from P than M. I am only on day 3 of no MO, but on day 21 of no P. I definitely feel more happier and motivated which is the dopamine part. I really don't feel very energetic or like an increase in testosterone. I feel less depression but am still a little anxious. I have felt the effects of a long no MO streak. I also might not be very energetic or testosterone boosted because I am staying indoors a lot, and not doing much exercise except I started working out again last week.

 

This is a fantastic question. And an important one too. I believe as well that your hunch is correct. The arousal cycle in normal sexual relations are probably most improved by the NoFap/No Porn efforts. The improved health and vitality are probably more related to the semen retention.

Clearly both are important. Yet, if I were to choose one over the other, I'd say that I notice MORE well-being with retention. Even if I were looking at porn and edging, I still feel good as long as I don't ejaculate.

 

I’m kind of skeptical about benefits coming from semen retention. I think all the benefits come from the dopamine reboot alongside the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. If anyone can give me real evidence that semen retention gives benefits, then I might change opinion

 

I'm pretty sure it's nothing to do with the actual physical retention of semen more to do neurotransmitter balancing. I am also suspect that although dopamine is the main release chemical for pleasure it plays some role in reducing glutamate NMDA activity, if you consume any kind of NMDA antagonist after a release it removes the depression and raw feeling from the come down. I also experienced a dream with full mental orgasm and totally dry, but With the same come down the next day. Never happened before I tried NoFap and on day 41 which kind of proves it's psychological .

 

your semen doesnt actually contain that much valuable minerals and there is a very small concentration of zinc for example in your semen. id say most of the problems stem from porn fucking up your dopamine receptors which causes chemical imbalances and such affecting your mood, cognitive function and even some physical aspects through stress which flares up acne.

 

I did everything progressively, from porn to masturbation without porn, then semen retention, then I even abstain from sexual thoughts.

Greatly increased physical energies, I broke all my records at the gym in terms of weight lifting.

Your eyesight improves

Mental clarity and sharpness is improved.

You feel like a teen again in your mid twenties.

Don't give much credit to the guys above

 

I've been on a three year journey and I just hit the one year mark of no Porn on Halloween. I'm on day 38 of no masturbation/orgasm and I feel amazing. I agree with gagate, clarity, sharpness, concentration and a lot more will power. There is an energy (life force) which is your semen. When you give up that life force, it drains your energy, motivation, concentration.....you start to die. At the age of 29, I had brain fog, was weak and had the testosterone of a 65 year old. Doctors couldn't tell me why but I knew. Quitting porn helps reset your brain and retention builds up the rest.

 

Keep it up! Try no sexual thoughts thats where the real results kicks in

 

You're saying you didn't feel these benefits such as mental clarity until you started with semen retention?

 

Any form of masturbation, whether with porn or without, causes a decrease in self-esteem, energy, and self-worth

porn intensifies the effect though

having sex seems to be the best, but it drains energy due to ejaculation

So any form of ejaculation causes a weakening effect, there is no escaping it I’m sad to say!