When you are trying to quit porn and/or chronic masturbation, you need support. Quitting porn, excessive or chronic masturbation, or porn-induced masturbation is no easy feat, especially if it has become an integral part of your life. Let’s face it, letting go of something we are used to or that brings us joy, excitement, entertainment, and/or relief can be hard – really hard. One of the best ways to recover from anything is to have a strong support system – the NoFap subreddit offers this to its members.

In other words, NoFap provides members with a sense of community. A community that involves a large group of people, who are looking for ways to stop using porn and/or masturbating. Members can find a wealth of information, answers to questions, comments, support, advice, etc., within a NoFap Community. But opening up to strangers about your desire to stop using porn and/or masturbating can be challenging. Moreover, there is also a chance that negative or toxic people will enter the community, spoiling it for other members.

If and when this occurs, the community no longer does what it is supposed to do. If the NoFap Reddit community is no longer providing you with the things you need to successfully quit porn, excessively masturbating, or masturbating to porn, then it is probably time to re-evaluate its place in your life. Keep in mind, however, that you can join a NoFap Challenge without becoming a full-fledged member of a NoFap Reddit community. In other words, you can abstain from watching porn, masturbating, or masturbating to porn for a specific period without engaging with other members, although support is key to getting a grip on your “bad habits.”

But before you join a NoFap Reddit community, it is important to research it and determine if it is a good community to enter. If not, you may need to search elsewhere for support, information, guidance, and advice. This article will help you determine if joining a NoFap Reddit community will ultimately help or hurt you.

What is NoFap & the NoFap Challenge?

NoFap is an organization that involves forums or subreddits, communities, articles or blogs, and so much more, designed to help people, who want to stop using porn, excessively or chronically masturbating, or masturbating to porn. NoFap touts a variety of self-help tools, such as mindfulness meditation, porn addiction books, apps, and hotlines, to help people replace porn-watching and/or masturbating with healthier coping strategies. One extremely popular facet of NoFap is its NoFap Challenge.

The NoFap Challenge involves committing to abstain from watching porn and/or masturbating for a specific amount of time, usually between 60-90 days, however, this timeframe can be tweaked to fit your preferences. This challenge typically has between 5-7 stages, in which you will have different experiences and receive a variety of benefits. During the NoFap Challenge, you will likely experience ups and downs – this is normal and to be expected. During certain stages, you may also experience a NoFap flatline.

Do not be deceived, a NoFap flatline does not mean you are “cured” or that you can stop the challenge, although it may feel that way because you are no longer craving porn or having urges to masturbate. You are not “cured.” You still need help. So if you experience a “down” period, like a porn addiction relapse, do not fret. Just pick yourself up with positive self-talk and affirmations, and begin again. This is not the time for shame or guilt. Every time you get back up you are making progress.

NoFap and the NoFap Challenge can offer members a variety of benefits, such as stronger muscles, higher testosterone levels, more stable moods, a greater chance of snagging a date (due to a newfound higher self-confidence), productivity and motivation, clearer skin, enhanced sexual experiences, more sound sleep, a stronger willpower, increased sexual arousal and libido, and a deeper connection with your real-life partner, but to reap all of these benefits, one must stay the course, partake in NoFaps’ self-help tools and resources, and finish the NoFap Challenge.

Is NoFap Good for Porn Addiction?

Yes, it can be.

Porn addiction is an involuntary compulsion to view porn, despite the consequences. Many times porn addiction involves much more than simply viewing it – sometimes it also involves masturbating to porn. Porn addicts grapple with their dependence on porn, and porn addiction symptoms often resemble OCD symptoms in that a porn addict becomes fixated on or obsessed with using porn, which causes them to compulsively “use porn.”

However, porn addiction is not the same thing as OCD, although the two conditions resemble each other in many ways. Porn addiction is also powerful. It can wreck lives, destroy relationships, and demolish families. It can also lead to low self-esteem and self-confidence, unemployment, debt, shame and guilt, and health problems, like insomnia, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, headaches, low motivation, social isolation, and/or high-stress levels.

Ultimately porn addiction can strip a person of everything they used to be and everything they could be in the future. Fortunately, there are several ways to treat porn addiction, such as with porn addiction therapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). In some cases, medication(s), like SSRI antidepressants, are also prescribed to help treat underlying conditions, like anxiety or depression, that could be triggering or worsening your porn addiction.

Self-help tools, like hypnosis, and Stop Together, an online porn addiction recovery program, can also help you quit porn. Alternative treatments, like NoFap or the NoFap Challenge, have also shown promise in helping porn addicts “reset” their brains, so porn is no longer at the forefront of their minds. NoFap can teach porn addicts how to stop masturbating or how to masturbate without porn.

Is a NoFap a Good Community?

It depends on who you ask.

While some members say that the NoFap Community is “good” and “helpful,” touting its benefits (i.e., support, information, advice, guidance, etc.), others say that this community is “bad” or “toxic” with irrelevant questions, bullying, stupid or silly memes/gifs, harassment, the deliberate “downvoting” of questions and comments, etc., running rampant.

According to NoFap Reddit Community’s description, this forum is a “porn addiction and compulsive sexual behavior recovery peer support forum that hosts challenges (“reboots”), in which participants (“Fapstronauts”) abstain from pornography and masturbation for a period of time, generally between 7-30 days. It does not matter if your goal is to casually participate in a monthly challenge, as a test of self-control, or if excessive porn use has become a problem in your life, you can find a supportive community here.”

Listed below are some real-life comments left in the NoFap Reddit community:

“Look to be honest, in order to leave a porn addiction, you kinda have to experience a porn addiction relapse at least once. You got this, whenever you feel ready to try again go for it.”

“Because most people here are weak-willed, myself included. Nobody wants it badly enough.”

“I must not fap.

Fapping is the mind-killer.

Fapping is a little death that brings total obliteration.

I will face my urges.

I will permit them to pass over me and through me.

And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path.

Where the urge has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”

“This is beyond stupid.”

“Every guy after busting a nut a third time.”

“That’s not a NoFap Community. That’s a Fap community right here.”

“Stop fapping and paying for content, actually get a girlfriend.”

“I will not masturbate for about 90 days, starting Dec 15, 2022, to March 14, 2023, You guys can join me if you want because I need an accountability partner… I swear to God I will not relapse…today is Dec 14 -11:30 pm just 30 minutes before my goal starts …I need to win this because I’m lost.”

“Yes, 3 years! 36 months.1096 days. I cannot believe I got this far. I’m so proud!! I really don’t know what more to say.. but KEEP GOING everyone, after a while, you won’t even think about masturbating to porn anymore!”

“Watching porn and masturbating is just cuckolding.” This fact hurt my ego so badly. Starting my streak today with the peak of my willpower.”

“MMM, IT SAYS NUT IN THE TITLE😫😫😫 THE MEMORIES!!!!”

“It is only natural for someone, who did not gain from NoFap to be skeptical about it, however, it’s based around such a personal thing that impossible to really call it b*llshit.”

“I feel like a good chunk of this community bases their life on relapsing like they say they have benefits on a streak but then they relapse once and they turn into a completely different human when you’re literally the same person you just made a mistake and if you’ve really changed in life your not losing much besides energy for a day because of fapping. People act like their life is over and they lost every benefit of NoFap and self-improvement in general just because they relapsed.”

“Reddit (and specifically r/NoFap) is a hotbed of toxic co-dependence and enables/encourages mental illness, depression, etc. I have had to unfollow that sub because of all the manic, ridiculous threads constantly being posted. My Reddit feed would be dominated by these ranting and absurd claims/posts. In my opinion that sub is a gross misrepresentation of ‘NoFappers.’

“Maybe, it is because it is Reddit and Reddit attracts a younger and more reactionary crowd. I have no idea… It is just so… cringy af… To a lesser extent, the entire realm of Reddit has seemingly become more embarrassing and cringy within the last couple of years. Obviously, this is just the trite opinion of one man. Perhaps, others can relate to my frustration with the ‘lameness’ of this subreddit.”

Signs of a Good NoFap Reddit Community

There are a multitude of signs that suggest that a Reddit community is “good.”

These signs include:

• Authenticity – Is the NoFap Reddit Community authentic or genuine? Or, does it feel fake? If it feels authentic there is a good chance it is a good community. However, if it feels fake, there is a good chance it is a “not-so-good community.” More specifically, if the members are willing to be honest, open, and vulnerable within the community, then that community is likely “good.”

  On the flip side, if the community is wrought with hidden agendas, lies, bullies, and “excuse-makers.” An authentic community also challenges members but also validates their thoughts, beliefs, and opinions. Members in an authentic NoFap Reddit community actually care about each other and want to help each other quit porn and/or masturbating.

• Inclusivity – Is the NoFap Reddit community inclusive? In other words, is everyone welcomed into the community? If there are no restrictions in the community and/or if everyone feels accepted, regardless of their race, age, gender, sexual orientation, etc., in the community, there is a good chance, it is a “good” community.

  On the flip side, if there is a lot of discrimination, racism, sexual orientation bias, sexism, and bullying in the community, there is an equally good chance the community is “bad” or “toxic.” A “good” community accepts anyone who needs help or support, regardless of external factors.

• Member-Focused – Is the NoFap Reddit community member-focused? A “good” NoFap Reddit community focuses on its members – people, who want to quit porn and/or masturbation. These individuals are called NoFappers or Fapstronauts. A “good” community actually cares about its members. This community is not overly concerned with likes or “upvotes,” the number of members, how the community is perceived, or anything like that.

  Rather, it is concerned about the health and welfare of its members. What do they need? What will help them accomplish their goals? A “bad” or “toxic” community is more focused on the bottom line or how much money, advertising, members, etc., they can garner for the site.

• Accountability – Do members in the NoFap Reddit Community take accountability for their actions? If the answer is “yes,” the community might just be “good” and beneficial. But if the answer is “no,” there is a chance the community may not be that great. A “good” community has members, who take responsibility for their behavior. They do not blame others for their own actions and they do not continuously make excuses for their behaviors.

  Accountability is especially important in NoFap Reddit communities because accountability plays a big role in the NoFap Challenge. So, members, who are not accountable in the community are also unlikely to be accountable in the challenge. Members who are not held accountable for their actions are more likely to do whatever they want to do whenever they want to do it (even when it is hurtful or damaging to other members) because they are not held accountable for their behaviors.

• Understanding and Acceptance – Are the NoFap Reddit community members understanding and accepting? A “good” community, regardless of the type, is one that has understanding and accepting members. People, who join a NoFap Community, are going through some things, which means they need support, compassion, and acceptance. They are trying to quit using porn and/or masturbating, which is no easy feat.

  If the members are empathetic and accepting of NoFappers, who do not agree with them, or who are “different” in some way than them, it is most likely a “good” community. On the flip side, if people are judgy or critical, or if they use bullying tactics, make fun of, or harass other members because they think differently or have a different opinion, then it is likely a “bad” or “toxic” NoFap Reddit community.

In Summary…

If a NoFap Reddit Community feels safe and welcoming, and if it is authentic or “real,” it is *probably* a good community. However, the only way to determine if it is right for you is to read the comments. If the comments are overwhelmingly and unjustifiably negative or if members are being bullied, harassed, or made fun of, then it is *probably” a community you will want to avoid.

If you are struggling with porn and/or masturbation, you will need to join a NoFap Reddit Community that uplifts, empowers, motivates, and supports you, not one who makes you feel bad about yourself. You need to surround yourself with people who are compassionate, understanding, and accepting, not people who make you want to crawl under a rock and die. If you are currently in a NoFap Reddit Community that is making you feel that way – run away from it. You deserve better than that. You deserve to be a part of a community that is genuine, caring, and supportive.

References

• Morris, J. (2017). Five signs of a healthy community. Waters Edge Counseling. Retrieved from https://watersedgecounselling.com/five-signs-of-healthy-community/
• Villines, Z. (2020). What to know about the possible benefits of NoFap. Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/nofap-benefits#benefits