Thread: 365 days w/o Jerking Off: A self control challenge

Originally Posted by Wolfwood

If we assume that when you do it in a lucid dream there are no waking life physical correlations, that is, that the effect is completely in your mind.

Then it's a failure if you're doing the task for control and discipline. Obviously because you have choice, and you chose.

But it's not a failure if you're doing the task for the beneficial biochemical changes in the body. For a 'memory' orgasm is not affecting said chemicals.

You mean to tell me dream orgasms don't release chemicals? Going by feeling alone, dream orgasms feel just as awesome (if not better) than waking ones. The afterglow is also felt upon waking... and for guys, oftentimes there's physical evidence of the orgasm.

How is that limited to merely a memory?

Originally Posted by Kaomea

Originally Posted by Wolfwood

If we assume that when you do it in a lucid dream there are no waking life physical correlations, that is, that the effect is completely in your mind.

Then it's a failure if you're doing the task for control and discipline. Obviously because you have choice, and you chose.

But it's not a failure if you're doing the task for the beneficial biochemical changes in the body. For a 'memory' orgasm is not affecting said chemicals.

You mean to tell me dream orgasms don't release chemicals? Going by feeling alone, dream orgasms feel just as awesome (if not better) than waking ones. The afterglow is also felt upon waking... and for guys, oftentimes there's physical evidence of the orgasm.

How is that limited to merely a memory?

Here's a thought. Dream orgasms do definitely release chemicals, just like waking ones. However, the negative effects of orgasming too often are all related to downregulation of neurotransmitters and receptors. Because glutamate is lowered when you're asleep, and therefore provides a neuroprotective effect, it's possible that these chemical changes don't happen, as the release of these chemicals is prevented from being written into your brain's physical memory.

But, I do still think it's cheating to masturbate in a lucid.

Not sure if I would count it as a failure, but do try to avoid it You get the sensation, so it's still basically an orgasm. Also, the 145% peak should be around day 4 or 5, not 7, right? Either way, I'm currently nearly at the end of day 3, so I'm still doing great.
For the people having a hard time with it: please do not give up. It's like quitting any addiction: the beginning is terrible. After that you'll slowly start feeling better (probably after a period of not feeling anything out of the ordinary). Then you'll start to notice the great improvements in your life Even though I wasn't an addict, this still made my life better. So just imagine what it'll do for you if you stick with it!

Also, this thread is turning into a thread on fasting as well? Definitely won't join that haha. I'm still growing and I eat quite a lot. I feel as if I'm fainting if I don't eat for over 5 hours, so only eating after sundown and before sunrise? No thanks

Aye.

As people are fighting their urges in the no fap challenge, I'm fighting one OCD urge that has gotten out of hand. I haven't blast music in a day or two and I generally feel more comfortable with my headphones now. Let's fight together!

Originally Posted by Carrot

Aye.

As people are fighting their urges in the no fap challenge, I'm fighting one OCD urge that has gotten out of hand. I haven't blast music in a day or two and I generally feel more comfortable with my headphones now. Let's fight together!

What was the urge? Turning your music too loud? Sorry didn't really get that part

Originally Posted by Kaomea

You mean to tell me dream orgasms don't release chemicals? Going by feeling alone, dream orgasms feel just as awesome (if not better) than waking ones. The afterglow is also felt upon waking... and for guys, oftentimes there's physical evidence of the orgasm.

How is that limited to merely a memory?

I'm not saying it's limited to that.

There are two types: those that cause an effect irl, and those that are 'memories'. Much like using the toilet in a dream - I do not urinate in real life., yet I feel the exact sensation of urinating. Though some people do urinate in real life from urinating in their dream.

Any sexual activity I've had in a dream has never resulted in me ejaculating in real life. I was just referring specifically to this type.

Originally Posted by Wolfwood

I'm not saying it's limited to that.

There are two types: those that cause an effect irl, and those that are 'memories'. Much like using the toilet in a dream - I do not urinate in real life. Though some people do.

Any sexual activity I've had in a dream has never resulted in me ejaculating in real life. I was just referring specifically to this type.

I wouldn't count that as a failure. My own dream orgasms are simply terrible. Probably because I have never been able to stabilize properly until now. They basically come after 3 seconds, it wakes me up and I ejaculate. So for me it might count as a failure
But if nothing happens IRL it is not really a failure, but not something to be doing all the time either

Originally Posted by Spyguy

What was the urge? Turning your music too loud? Sorry didn't really get that part

Ah. It's not easy to understand how that is bad. But for someone who listens to music below 20 volume with headphones on, and suddenly blasted it to 100 volume for less than 30 seconds because she's unable to control her mind and put it back to below 20 again, and do it not for pleasure but simply because the obsession thought wins the day, that is a bad urge.

Originally Posted by Carrot

Ah. It's not easy to understand how that is bad. But for someone who listens to music below 20 volume with headphones on, and suddenly blasted it to 100 volume for less than 30 seconds because she's unable to control her mind and put it back to below 20 again, and do it not for pleasure but simply because the obsession thought wins the day, that is a bad urge.

True, hope you get over it soon. It will save you a lot of money on hearing devices later in your life

Originally Posted by Spyguy

True, hope you get over it soon. It will save you a lot of money on hearing devices later in your life

Ah yes. That's one of the reasons why too.

After all, I've a good pair of ears.

Originally Posted by Spyguy

I wouldn't count that as a failure. My own dream orgasms are simply terrible. Probably because I have never been able to stabilize properly until now. They basically come after 3 seconds, it wakes me up and I ejaculate. So for me it might count as a failure
But if nothing happens IRL it is not really a failure, but not something to be doing all the time either

I'll have to find the links to the studies saying this, but basically: sexual arousal without ejaculation is fine. And by fine, I mean to gain the biochemical benefits from sexual abstinence.

Since in my dreams I do not ejaculate in real life, then it is 'fine'. The brain can easily create the effect of orgasm from memory, given that it does so with extreme physical pain, love, relief from urination, anything.

Originally Posted by Wolfwood

I'll have to find the links to the studies saying this, but basically: sexual arousal without ejaculation is fine. And by fine, I mean to gain the biochemical benefits from sexual abstinence.

Since in my dreams I do not ejaculate in real life, then it is 'fine'.

But this challenge is to test your willpower, not your creativity on getting around ways to get the feeling you want. I would suggest trying it once without masturbation both in real life and in lucid dreams, and another once without masturbation in real life but you can do it in dreams.

Yeah, that's why I said a few posts back that there are two types of people doing this challenge:

1. Those for willpower, control, discipline. You being one of those.

2. Those who only want the biochemical benefits. Me being one of those.

Okay. Sounds valid.

lol by the way.... I can tell a testosterone increase has altered me. I can sense it in my posts.

Originally Posted by Wolfwood

I'll have to find the links to the studies saying this, but basically: sexual arousal without ejaculation is fine. And by fine, I mean to gain the biochemical benefits from sexual abstinence.

Since in my dreams I do not ejaculate in real life, then it is 'fine'. The brain can easily create the effect of orgasm from memory, given that it does so with extreme physical pain, love, relief from urination, anything.

But does it claim that orgasm without ejaculation is fine? I would have a harder time believing this. The chemical changes come from the orgasm. Though of course as I already said I think being in the dream probably prevents said changes from occurring, but still.

Originally Posted by Wolfwood

lol by the way.... I can tell a testosterone increase has altered me. I can sense it in my posts.

How?

Originally Posted by Alyzarin

But does it claim that orgasm without ejaculation is fine? I would have a harder time believing this. The chemical changes come from the orgasm. Though of course as I already said I think being in the dream probably prevents said changes from occurring, but still.

If urinating in the dream (only) causes parasympathetic nervous system activation in real life, then yeah I would agree.

Oh, also... *ahem* I'm pretty sure I actually said that I would start tomorrow, not today. >.>

Originally Posted by Alyzarin

Considering that I actually hadn't masturbated in a week or so anyway before posting yesterday, I've decided to fix that and officially start two days from now.

^^ See.

Originally Posted by Carrot

How?

More assertive and serious. >.<

*Ahem*

Aly you did something did you?

Originally Posted by Wolfwood

More assertive and serious. >.<

So is that good or bad?

I think there's no visible change in my character when I'm attempting the challenge. But at least I'm not so addicted to it now. And my addictions is not 3 times a day, not that bad, but bad in my point of view.

Originally Posted by Carrot

So is that good or bad?

I think there's no visible change in my character when I'm attempting the challenge. But at least I'm not so addicted to it now. And my addictions is not 3 times a day, not that bad, but bad in my point of view.

I'll let the victims of my posts decide that. ^_^

Yeah, though I assume there is no marked increase in testosterone in women.... maybe estrogen?

2-3 times a day here usually, and you too? ;o

Originally Posted by Wolfwood

More assertive and serious. >.<

Haha, I read something in this thread mentioning concentration was one the things to go when excessive masturbation kicks in (think that was Aly's post). Suppose the opposite would be true if you removed masturbation... to an extent. I wonder at what point someone hits mode and concentration and seriousness goes right out the window.