I am not here to argue with anybody. I here to state facts. The subject of addiction is something that has been shrouded by misconception and misleading stereotype. When you mention addiction, people think of hard drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, ecstasy etc. and the only harm they think of is that it runs someone mad, a fact that is true but exaggerated. There are many things about the harm of addiction that people don't know. Two, linked, addictions that are filled with misconception are pornography and masturbation.

FACTS :
1) pornography is addictive. There are now studies to support this.
2) long term and frequent use of pornography and masturbation would take a toll on your mind and body. In short it is harmful.
3) you don't play the moderation card with addiction (ie. Saying to yourself that I will do it with moderation), you will most likely fail.
4) Chronic pornography and masturbation use leads to erectile dysfunction. This fact is undisputed.

Effects of pornography and masturbation on the mind and emotion

First of all, all addictions are similar on a basic neurological level. They all cause a surge of dopamine in the reward system and as one indulges in his habits, there is a downregulation of dopamine in the brain ie. The dopamine receptors and level are reduced so that the brain can see the surge of dopamine as normal. At this stage, the addict needs more substance (substance addiction) or novelty/new genre (behavioural addiction like porn and jerking off) to feel high again or aroused. This begins a circle of more seeking and downregulation of dopamine. This process is also accompanied by a compromise of the prefrontal cortex and this process is called hypofrontality. This applies to many addictions including pornography and masturbation.

Effects that pop up, due to the aforementioned mechanism I highlighted, AS ONE'S PORNOGRAPHY OR MASTURBATION ADDICTION PROGRESSES are as follows :

1) Brain fog. Here, it's as if your head is clouded and it's difficult to perform mental tasks and one is quite forgetful and has problems remember. Brain fog and cognitive impairment accompanying porn are two different things even though they do co-occur.

2) Cognitive impairment.
a) concentration and attention problems. You have difficulty paying attention and concentrating.
b) short term memory and working memory problems. difficulty recalling things.
c) difficulty reading and understanding. You find yourself reading the same line or words of a book over and over again in order to remember but sometimes, it's futile.
d) confusion.
e) forgetfulness.
f) Easily stressed out mentally. You can't cope with stress as little mental stress heightens your symptoms and knock you out. This doesn't happen all the time but it happens.

3) Emotional problems.
a) depression.
b) anxiety and panic attacks.
c) loss of motivation and thrill. Things, except porn, that used to be exciting to you are longer thrilling you.
d) mood swing. You are easily irritable, you can be happy one moment and the next moment, you are angry as Bleep.

4) physical problems
a) your penis can't be full erect during sex instead it gets hard when you want to masturbate.
b) crackling joints and muscle pain. Before you start laughing and saying that I can lie for Africa, note that this is for the grandmasters of pornography and masturbation ie. Those that have been consistent in the habit for years.
C) my knowledge is limited, add yours....

Now these symptoms occur for those who are long term, frequent and chronic users. So if you have masturbated four or five times in your life or you have never masturbated at all, don't start arguing what you don't know. Experience is the best teacher. The brain fog, cognitive impairment and emotional problems I listed are not specific to porn users and masturbators they are also see in long term and frequent marijuana smokers, alcoholics, tramadol users, codeine users, cocaine and other illicit drug users. This is because all addictions share a specific constellation of brain changes as I have explained.

How long does it take for these effects to subside?
It depends on the length and frequency of one's usage. For long term frequent users, 12-24 months of abstinence should return you back to normal. For newbies, few days or weeks or few months, stay away before it becomes long lasting.

Ewo...my eyes have seen my neck

myths surrounding pornography and masturbation

1) what's the difference between porn/Masturbation and sex? They are the same and therefore harmless.

Taaah! The average man will never have sex as much and frequently as the average porn/Masturbation addict indulges in his addiction. You? Have sex five times a day (each section lasting for 1.5hrs) for three years to a decade? That's too much for the brain and addiction causes such indulgence.
Besides, the novelity, availability of different pornstars to pick from, different genres and fantasy fulfillment in porn is not available to non-porn using married man with one wife. Even the non-porn/Masturbating marital infidel don't have this.
So you see porn is stronger than sex to the extent that long-term frequent and chronic porn users loose interest in sex with real partners and prefer their addiction.

2) But everyone watches porn/masturbated. How can this be?

Not everyone watches porn even though a lot of people are in the habit. Besides, these symptoms are not written or the fore head. You might have a decent conversation with those having these symptoms, they might look normal and beautiful but they are dealing with these symptoms, so don't assume that anyone who watch porn is alright. For a few, these symptoms doesn't prevent them from getting a job and being "successful" but their success doesn't reflect their potential. Diego Maradona was a soccer legend and a cocaine addict but if you ask people if his career was successful, they would say yes, which is true, but Maradona admitted that if not for his drug use he would have been three times better as a footballer. Imagine a three times better Maradona.

When you started you using porn is also a critical factor as it stuns future progress like academic achievement and could play a roll in you dropping out of school, carrying extra years in school, messing up your relationship, suicide etc.

Ajoboss:
Ewo...my eyes have seen my neck

Na see your anus remain.

Lol. Op.. Una don preach about this topic countless times.. Like this is the 1000th time i'm seeing this... who wan hear go hear..
Leave matter for Matthias abeg...

Lol...greater lies have never been told

Well written

babyfaceafrica:
Lol...greater lies have never been told

where did I lie? Please point it out. I am waiting o. I have done countless research, read studies and anecdotes (which I followed with discretion) to drive my conclusion. Simple google they will not google, explain to them, they will not listen. I don tire.

Martinez19:
where did I lie? Please point it out. I am waiting o. I have done countless research, read studies and anecdotes (which I followed with discretion) to drive my conclusion. Simple google they will not google, explain to them, they will not listen. I don tire.

yimu...research on masturbation and porn?..issokay..to each is own..what will be will be

babyfaceafrica:
yimu...research on masturbation and porn?..issokay..to each is own..what will be will be

Yes. I have researched on masturbation and porn. Didn't you see me mention how porn affects the brain neurochemistry in my op? Didn't you see me mention it's link to other addictions? Where do you think I got that from? From heaven? Abeg no undermine my research. Bring you argument to the table or swerve.

Martinez19:
Yes. I have researched on masturbation and porn. Didn't you see me mention how porn affects the brain neurochemistry in my op? Didn't you see me mention it's link to other addictions? Where do you think I got that from? From heaven? Abeg no undermine my research. Bring you argument to the table or swerve.

noted

Tell dem...ooo

I just recently discovered wima two korokoro eyes that girls do masturbate too....asin seriously.... Tufiakwa