What's actually proven, and what isn't

First, a correction most of this industry won't make

Masturbation itself is not shown by clinical research to cause erectile dysfunction or lasting physical harm. That claim is common in this space, and it isn't supported by urological consensus. What the evidence does support is narrower and, honestly, still worth taking seriously: compulsive or distressing patterns of use can genuinely affect wellbeing, relationships, and functioning - which is a real, recognized clinical category, not a myth.

Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder is a real diagnosis

In 2019, the World Health Organization formally added Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder (CSBD) to the ICD-11 as a recognized impulse-control disorder - defined by a persistent inability to control intense sexual impulses over an extended period (six months or more), in a way that meaningfully disrupts daily life, relationships, or work. Source: Healio / WHO ICD-11

A community-sample study found the overall prevalence of probable CSBD at roughly 10.8% - meaningful, but also a reminder that struggling with this is common, not shameful or rare. Source: community sample study, NCBI

CBT has real, if still-developing, evidence behind it

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the approach with the most credible research support for reducing compulsive pornography use. Published studies report meaningful reductions in both frequency of use and associated psychological distress, with one 12-week program showing reduced compulsivity and relapse frequency by addressing cognitive distortions and building healthier coping responses. Source: systematic review protocol, NCBI

To be fair to the field: researchers studying this area are candid that the evidence base, while promising, is still growing, and there's an active need for larger, more rigorous studies. We're not going to overstate it beyond what's actually been shown.

Why Regrown is built the way it is

Given the above, three design choices follow directly from the evidence rather than from marketing instinct:

• CBT-informed structure - the check-in program is built around the same cognitive-reframing and coping-strategy techniques used in the studies above, not generic motivational content.
• An accountability mechanism, not just a blocklist- because the actual failure point for most people isn't lack of knowledge, it's the moment of impulse - which is exactly what an unlock-code or cooldown mechanism is designed to interrupt.
• Framed as habit change, not disease treatment- we're not a substitute for therapy or a diagnosis, and we say so plainly. If CSBD is significantly affecting your life, a licensed clinician is the right next step alongside anything an app can offer.

See the full comparison on the comparison page.