>any pleasurable experience releases dopamine This is a distinction of degree then perhaps. But you're on the right track. Spending time with your family is a

>any pleasurable experience releases dopamine This is a distinction of degree then perhaps. But you're on the right track. Spending time with your family is a good thing. Pursuing more drug usage and porn usage is not, not least of which because they'd probably lead to less "spending time with family" or no family at all. That drugs and porn occupy your time, and reward you for it, and again, in an extreme way (large reward.. not just "reward") is the entire point. >nor am I sure what effect I should be searching for That you are even considering what you should be searching for is commendable. Most people here wouldn't even take the time to run the thought experiment or grant that self experiment is valid evidence. Nor would they go read no-fap discussions listing countless, endless examples of drastic improvements in individuals lives from before/after. >keeping in mind that such topics are often difficult to study Yep. And there are a lot of variables. See why waiting for a study is kinda silly? We don't need it. Though I'm sure there are or could be some good ones, those searching for the perfect one when self experience would show them all they would need, or 500 anecdotes. Again, it's self evident for anyone who puts in a bit of time willing to consider. Those that want to rationalize their unhealthy behavior will hold out, perpetually, for study. Persuading those people is a lost cause. I think we can just take the heuristic of looking at how endless supply of novel, virtually "real" (to the brain) sexual stimulus is something never before existing in human history. We can point to delay and decline in marriage, birth rates, and family formation. Stories of teenagers and young children being exposed to hard core pornography early and finding themselves with a habit that leads to depression, anxiety, apathy, marriage problems for adults etc. They're out there. Nobody wants to do this study, but we can use our common sense and intuition anyways.