The Easy Peasy Way to Quit Porn

1. Internet porn addiction is a trap, not a habit

"Internet porn is the most subtle, sinister trap that man and nature have combined to devise; it's the only trap in nature whose setup doesn't require hard work."

Addiction, not habit. Internet pornography is not a habit that can be easily broken, but a carefully designed trap that hijacks our natural reward mechanisms. It exploits our evolutionary programming by providing supernormal stimuli that our brains aren't prepared to handle. This leads to a cycle of addiction that's difficult to break without proper understanding.

Subtle and sinister. Unlike other addictions, internet porn doesn't require any initial effort or investment from the user. It's freely available, easily accessible, and provides instant gratification. This ease of access makes it particularly dangerous, as users can fall into the trap without realizing the long-term consequences.

Key characteristics of the porn trap:

• Exploits natural reward mechanisms
• Provides supernormal stimuli
• Easily accessible and free
• Creates a cycle of addiction
• Causes neurological changes

2. Brainwashing perpetuates the addiction cycle

"The problem of stopping isn't the dopamine addiction, which is easy to cope with. It's the mistaken belief that porn gives you pleasure, brought about initially by brainwashing received before we started using, further reinforced by the actual addiction."

Societal misconceptions. From an early age, we're bombarded with messages that conflate porn with normal sexuality and portray it as harmless or even beneficial. This societal brainwashing creates a foundation for addiction before we even start using porn.

Self-perpetuating cycle. Once addicted, users develop their own internal narratives to justify their behavior. They convince themselves that porn provides pleasure or serves as a crutch, ignoring the negative impacts on their lives. This self-brainwashing reinforces the addiction, making it harder to quit.

Elements of brainwashing:

• Societal messages normalizing porn use
• Internal justifications for continued use
• Misconception that porn provides genuine pleasure
• Belief that quitting means sacrificing something valuable
• Fear of life without porn

3. The "little monster" of physical addiction is easy to overcome

"The dopamine flush leaves your body very rapidly, but it's impossible to tell when your body will cease suffering from the slight physical sensation of dopamine withdrawal."

Physical vs. mental addiction. The physical aspect of porn addiction, referred to as the "little monster," is relatively easy to overcome. The body quickly adjusts to the absence of the dopamine rush from porn use. However, the mental addiction, fueled by brainwashing, is more persistent and challenging.

Short-lived withdrawal. Physical withdrawal symptoms from porn are mild and short-lived compared to other addictions. Most users can go for extended periods without porn when circumstances prevent access, indicating that the physical dependency is not the main obstacle to quitting.

Characteristics of the "little monster":

• Mild physical withdrawal symptoms
• Rapid dissipation of dopamine cravings
• Easily overcome with proper mindset
• Often mistaken for genuine hunger or stress
• Less significant than the mental addiction

4. Willpower method fails; EasyPeasy offers a better approach

"The willpower method is like a tug of war, on one side is fear: 'It's unhealthy, filthy and enslaving.' On the other side, the positives: 'It's my pleasure, my friend, my crutch.'"

Limitations of willpower. The traditional willpower method of quitting porn often fails because it relies on resisting perceived pleasure or denying oneself a crutch. This creates a constant internal struggle, leading to feelings of deprivation and eventual relapse.

EasyPeasy alternative. The EasyPeasy method focuses on changing one's perspective on porn use. By removing the brainwashing and helping users realize that porn provides no genuine benefits, it eliminates the desire to use rather than forcing users to resist temptation.

Key differences between willpower and EasyPeasy:

• Willpower: struggle and deprivation
• EasyPeasy: freedom and joy
• Willpower: resisting temptation
• EasyPeasy: eliminating desire
• Willpower: temporary solution
• EasyPeasy: permanent change in mindset

5. Quitting porn doesn't mean sacrifice; it's gaining freedom

"There's absolutely nothing to give up. On the contrary, there's enormous positive gains to be made."

Reframing the quitting process. Many users fear quitting because they believe they'll be sacrificing something valuable. The EasyPeasy method helps users understand that they're not giving up anything of value, but rather freeing themselves from a harmful addiction.

Positive gains. Quitting porn leads to numerous benefits, including improved mental health, better relationships, increased energy, and restored sexual function. By focusing on these positive outcomes, users can approach quitting with enthusiasm rather than dread.

Benefits of quitting porn:

• Improved mental clarity and focus
• Enhanced relationships and intimacy
• Increased energy and motivation
• Restored sexual function and satisfaction
• Greater self-esteem and confidence
• Freedom from guilt and shame

6. Understand and overcome withdrawal symptoms

"Whatever you do, don't try to forget about porn. This is one of the things that causes PMOers using the willpower method hours of depression."

Nature of withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms from porn are primarily psychological rather than physical. The feelings of emptiness or craving are often misinterpreted as a need for porn, when in reality they're just temporary discomfort as the brain adjusts to normal levels of dopamine.

Embracing the process. Instead of trying to ignore or fight withdrawal symptoms, users should acknowledge them as signs of healing. By reframing these feelings as positive indicators of breaking free from addiction, users can maintain a more optimistic outlook during the quitting process.

Strategies for handling withdrawal:

• Recognize symptoms as temporary and harmless
• Reframe discomfort as a sign of healing
• Stay active and engaged in other activities
• Remind yourself of the benefits of quitting
• Seek support from others when needed

7. Make a firm decision to quit and never look back

"Make the solemn vow now and mean it."

Commitment is key. Making a firm, unequivocal decision to quit porn is crucial for success. This commitment should be based on a clear understanding of the addiction and its negative impacts, as well as the benefits of quitting.

No room for doubt. Once the decision is made, it's essential to avoid second-guessing or leaving room for future use. Any doubt or consideration of future porn use can undermine the quitting process and lead to relapse.

Steps to solidify your decision:

• Educate yourself fully about porn addiction
• List personal reasons for quitting
• Share your decision with a trusted friend or partner
• Remove access to porn (install blockers, delete bookmarks)
• Develop a clear plan for dealing with urges

8. Avoid substitutes and half-measures

"Cutting down not only doesn't work, but is the worst form of torture."

Danger of substitutes. Attempting to quit by using "softer" forms of porn or reducing frequency doesn't address the root of the addiction. These half-measures often prolong the addiction and make quitting more difficult in the long run.

Clean break required. To successfully quit porn, users need to make a complete break from all forms of artificial sexual stimulation. This includes avoiding "peek" behaviors or rationalizing certain types of content as acceptable.

Common pitfalls to avoid:

• Switching to "soft" porn or erotica
• Porn "diets" or scheduled use
• Edging or prolonged arousal without orgasm
• Using images of real-life crushes or partners as substitutes
• Excessive fantasy or mental porn use

9. Embrace the positive mindset of a non-user immediately

"You become a non-user when closing your browser. The important thing is to be a happy non-user from the start."

Immediate identity shift. Instead of viewing quitting as a long, painful process, users should embrace their new identity as a non-user immediately. This positive mindset shift can significantly reduce the perceived difficulty of quitting.

Celebrate freedom. From the moment of quitting, users should focus on celebrating their newfound freedom rather than mourning a perceived loss. This positive reinforcement helps solidify the decision to quit and makes the process more enjoyable.

Ways to reinforce a positive non-user mindset:

• Regularly remind yourself "I'm free from porn addiction"
• Celebrate small milestones in your recovery
• Focus on the immediate benefits you're experiencing
• Share your positive experiences with others
• Engage in new, fulfilling activities to replace porn use

Last updated: October 7, 2024