PMO NoFap: Meaning and Benefits

The term PMO Nofap has gained popularity in online discussions about quitting porn addiction and compulsive sexual behavior. 

PMO – Porn, Masturbation, Orgasm refers to the cycle of watching porn, masturbating, and reaching orgasm. Complete abstinence from PMO is particularly important for people who take up the hard NoFap challenges for a complete reset, 

Let us have a closer look at what PMO means during NoFap and what benefits PMO NoFap can give to practitioners.

What Does PMO mean in Porn/No FAP?

The word fap is an internet slang term for masturbation. So, the word NoFap literally means abstinence from masturbation. It began as a thread on Reddit and then grew into a thriving online community. 

The members of the NoFap community are often called fapstronauts, are encouraged to break free from the PMO cycle and reclaim their lives. 

1. What is PMO NoFap?

PMO stands for Porn, Masturbation, and Orgasm. In NoFap circles, PMO is used to describe the routine of using porn to masturbate and orgasm. So, PMO, meaning NoFap, is avoiding all three – porn, masturbation, and orgasm. Members often make an exception for partnered sex and orgasm as it is considered a real deal. 

2. NoFap MO 

NoFap MO refers to a masturbation session without porn. While PMO is considered to break the abstinence streak, MO without porn is considered less damaging. Some people even allow themselves an MO session after long streaks of strict NoFap. 

3. Breaking the Chaser Effect 

Chaser effect refers to the intense urge to watch porn and masturbate again and again to have multiple orgasms in a short time. NoFap advocates believe this is an addiction pattern, and you can overcome the chaser effect with extended NoFap PMO. 

3 Benefits of PMO NoFap

Although the research is limited on the benefits of PMO NoFap, we can find many anecdotal benefits shared by the NoFap community. Here are the 3 commonly cited benefits of PMO NoFap –

1. Mental clarity and focus – Many NoFappers report mental gains such as improved focus, productivity, motivation, and enhanced self-control. Another Reddit user noted that PMO NoFap made his mind super clear and improved his concentration.
2. Confidence and self-esteem – The willpower to resist pornography urges leads to gains in self-confidence and a sense of self-worth. A NoFap Reddit member shared that after 5 months of abstinence, “I can hold eye contact with anyone now.”
3. Physical and sexual health – The members of NoFap PMO communities often report better energy, sleep, and exercise performance. A Reddit user noted, “It makes real sex better all the way around.”

Rules of Practicing PMO

Rules of PMO NoFap are the boundaries or guidelines that will help you avoid porn and sexual stimulation. The key rules of PMO NoFap are –

1. No edging – Prolonged arousal, delaying of orgasm, and masturbating without orgasm, is not allowed. Even if you start masturbating, you have to stop immediately to avoid a relapse.
2. No pornography – Any form of pornography images, videos, or erotic literature is to be completely blocked. Using a porn blocker is advised to prevent any accidental exposure. 
3. No sexually suggestive media – Even explicit content such as soft porn or partial nudity is prohibited if it triggers the urge to masturbate.
4. Redirection – Have a plan of action for redirecting the time and energy saved by PMO. The substitution helps to manage the masturbation urges. 
5. Partnered sex – Some individuals might make an exception for real-life sex without the synthetic stimulation of porn. 

When Is PMO Harmful? And What Helps

Many people use PMO harmlessly for stress relief or as a distraction. However, it can be harmful if the PMO habit becomes compulsive and disrupts your everyday activities. Here are the signs of harmful PMO – 

1. Interference with daily life – If the PMO disrupts your sleep, work, studies, and relationships.
2. Loss of control – Inability to control the urges and the inability to quit the PMO habit even when you want to.
3. Emotional distress – Shame or guilt about the PMO habit causes emotional distress.
4. Intimacy issues – Real-life intimacy feels less exciting compared to porn assisted masturbation.
5. Sexual function issues – Persistent erectile difficulties and sexual performance issues. 

Can PMO Cause Symptoms of Withdrawal?

Quitting PMO can cause withdrawal symptoms similar to other addictive behaviors. Common withdrawal symptoms of PMO include headaches, irritability, mood swings, and physical discomfort. Some individuals also report a flatline phase where they feel emotional numbness and low libido that lasts for weeks.

Masturbation and orgasm in itself is not addictive. However, when combined with hypestimulation of porn, it can alter the dopamine reward pathways. As a result, your masturbation habit can escalate into a compulsive behavior driven by this dopamine seeking. 

So, when you quit PMO, you might temporarily experience withdrawal symptoms. Many NoFappers consider the experience of withdrawal symptoms as part of the reboot. The benefits of NoFap often outweigh the temporary discomfort of withdrawal. 

Is there a difference between PMO NoFap and Actual NoFap

NoFap in itself denotes abstinence from porn, masturbation, and orgasm. However, there are debates about the nuances between PMO NoFap and actual NoFap in practice. 

1. In the NoFap community, hardmode or No PMO is considered stricter and prohibits sex with a partner, as well.
2. For some individuals, NoFap MO means a ban on porn but occasional relaxation for partnered sex or masturbation without porn. 

The consensus among the NoFap community is that avoiding porn is the hardest part. So, the only difference between PMO NoFap and actual NoFap is that actual NoFap makes allowances for masturbation and orgasm without porn. 

The Complex Relationship Between Pornography, NoFap, and Sexual Function

The research on pornography, NoFap, and real-life sexuality reflects a complex picture. 

1. Can porn be beneficial?

In a 2007 study, both male and female participants reported that hardcore porn was beneficial for their sex lives. In general, most people report either neutral or positive feelings about their porn use.

2. Risks of compulsive porn use

Research has linked excessive porn consumption with a higher likelihood of Erectile Dysfunction (ED). The same study noted that sexual dysfunction was linked to heavy porn use and had no correlation with masturbation itself. 

Studies have also noted the phenomenon of porn induced ED, where people who watch porn experience erectile Dysfunction or delayed ejaculation during real-life sex. 

3. Context 

Studies have also noted that watching different types of porn has different effects. Watching romantic or passionate porn is linked to higher sexual satisfaction. At the same time, watching rough or control-oriented porn is linked to lower sexual satisfaction.

Suppose people’s religious beliefs or values conflict with porn. In that case, they are more likely to feel emotional distress and guilt. So, the effect of porn is linked to personal beliefs rather than porn itself. 

4. NoFap perspective

NoFap believes that while masturbation is a normal biological phenomenon, when it is assisted by porn, a disconnection is created. Porn assisted masturbation can rewire the brain to prefer artificial stimuli over real-life sex. 

Quitting porn and masturbation helps to reset the libido for better enjoyment of real-life intimacy. 

FAQ on PMO NoFap

1. What Does NoFap MO Mean?

NoFap MO means masturbation and orgasm without porn. Occasionally masturbating to climax without porn is considered acceptable once a person has achieved stable NoFap. 

2. Does PMO affect testosterone?

There is no lasting effect on testosterone from PMO. Testosterone levels fluctuate daily and any effect of even extended abstinence is insignificant. 

3. What is PMO in addiction?

When someone refers to PMO in addiction they refer to an uncontrollable cycle of masturbation and orgasm assisted by porn watching.