Quitting visual porn. Is written erotica as bad as porn?

[InbetweenDreams]

Hi everyone.

I know that there's nothing wrong to watch porn once in while but I just would like to see if I can get rid of watching porn entirely. The reason why I would like to get rid of it is because, correct me if I'm wrong but porn scenes are hyper-stimulating triggers that can lead to unnaturally high levels of dopamine secretion. This can damage the dopamine reward system and leave it unresponsive to natural sources of pleasure.

I would think that would only apply if someone watches porn excessively...

This whole thing leads me to so many questions. Some of these questions probably sound silly but honest to god, I could use your opinion. Getting rid of porn cold turkey is tough. 

1. Is fantasizing erotic stuff in your mind as similar to watching porn? Is it okay to fantasize in your mind or is it unhealthy as watching porn? Can it damage the dopamine system too?

Well, that's a catch 22, can you really control your own thoughts? Not saying you can't but it is probably pretty difficult and who knows what your mind is doing while you sleep, but I have woke up pretty wound up if you know what I mean... My thinking is most likely it is fine in most cases.

If yes, then how do you masturbate? Masturbation is good for your body but porn is not (if excessively). People normally link masturbating to watching porn or through fantasizing erotic stuff. How do you deal with masturbation?

I suppose if the answer were a solid yes you would have to learn to fantasize less erotic things... I think that is problematic.

What are your thoughts on the alternatives to visual porn such as written erotica and audio porn? Are these alternatives as bad as watching porn? Because by logic, these alternatives still stimulate your dopamine but perhaps in a smaller scale. Also, I do understand that by reading erotica and listening to audio porn can stimulate your interest to watch porn but I was thinking that it would be still be nice to have an alternative to visual porn (This sentence probably doesn't make sense but bear with me, it's 2.16am).

I never really got into things like phone sex but I do think it is erotic if you have a partner whispering in your ear and things like that...to an extent. Frankly I think the whole thing about porn is blown out of proportion and unless you got harry palms it is probably nothing to worry about. I do think watching too much porn can be bad yes, but unless you're addicted to porn or are constantly looking for more erotic stuff, it is probably not going to be an issue.