I’m surprised that it has been almost 2 weeks since my last post. Normally, that would have indicated a setback, a relapse, a “loss of sobriety” in 12-step-speak. I’m happy to report that that is not the case in this instance.

To be sure, the last few weeks have had their ups and downs, but the trajectory has been decidedly skyward. My frustration tolerance has increased decidedly, and the personal anger episodes that I am accustomed to have been significantly muted. In general, I am just happier.

It has been an unusually happy few days for me. And that makes me nervous.

Let me put it to this way. I went golfing with my brothers this morning, armed with the latest gimmick (a.k.a. “swing cue”) that would turn my game around. The result? The same. I sucked. I had a great time, mind you, but I was the same golfer I’ve always been

Could it be? Could it actually be????

I came across the stunning book excerpt yesterday from “God’s Poison Arrow” by Marnia Robinson, as well as studying other content by her. The basic premise is that fertilization-based sex (dopamine-driven) versus bond-based sex (oxytocin-driven) results in a kind of chemically-induced aversion and drug-like cycling of emotions and chemistry.

A part of me is incredulous. The premise seems too radical, yet makes so much sense. Perhaps most startling is that it gives form to many of the conclusions I had come to on my own.

You may find this earlier discussion of withdrawal symptoms and this one interesting, but please post yours here.

[The purpose of this post is to document the most significant personal symptoms of orgasm withdrawal at T+12 days]

I am glad I found this site. It has been my source of strength the last 22 days as I have fought this battle. Reading this site and realizing there will be an end to the depression/withdrawal has been the only thing that has kept me from the short-term relief of giving in. I have been experiencing extreme depression lately during my withdrawal. It has been frustrating, because I thought these symptoms would be lessening after about two weeks or so.

If my hands don't do the masturbating, my brains will. I was lying down in bed at night, unable to sleep and concentrated on keeping my hands in control. The previously irritating tension and contractions in my penis started to feel more pleasant. A little like masturbation but weaker. I began having erotic thoughts and got an erection. Sometimes I experienced something that resembled an orgasm but was weaker, too and didn't result in ejaculation. And it didn't result in the relaxed feeling that real orgasms give. I don't know if I liked it or not.

Hello all,

I have been an orgasm junkie for 15 years. It ruined my studies, work and relationships. Now I have decided to get rid of the problem. In one way or another.

I recently went through 24 days without orgasm. The withdrawal symptoms I experienced were general anxiety, restless legs, insomnia and an itchy feeling in my genitals. The itchy feeling was by far the worst of these.

The mainstream and sexologists seem to have a blind spot about the physical addictiveness of pornography for many people.

It is an easy error to make. People assume that only substances can be physically addictive. In fact, however, the brain is set up so that activities can produce an intense addictive dopamine cycle in the reward circuitry of the brain not unlike a drug does. Think of gambling.