Breaking the Habit Loop: Our Journey with Pure Mind Outlook

Pure Mind Outlook Poster

Introduction

My journey with M.RADEN has been nothing short of transformative. As part of this team of six passionate individuals, I've had the privilege of working alongside some of the brightest minds. Our team comprises two innovative designers and four skilled coders, each bringing unique strengths to the table.

Our team recently developed a gamification app called Pure Mind Outlook. The big idea behind our project is to motivate people to reduce the frequency of bad habits. We decided to focus on addiction, a topic with strong urgency and relevance. While people can be addicted to various things like cigarettes or alcohol, we chose to tackle PMO (Porn, Masturbation, and Orgasm) addiction. This topic is still taboo in Indonesia.

The Challenge

To provide a solution, we conducted thorough research. We began with desk research, gathering information about PMO, its negative impacts, and potential positive impacts. Realizing the need for deeper insights, we interviewed several experts: Our expert panel included: A counselor and sex educator, A psychology lecturer, An andrologist

After our interviews, we decided to focus on the issue of pornography rather than addiction. Addiction requires professional psychological intervention and cannot be resolved with an app alone. However, pornography, a harmful habit that impairs the brain's capacity for critical thinking, was an area where we felt we could make a difference.

The Journey

Even with a clear issue in mind, we struggled to decide on a solution concept. We were introduced to the habit loop concept in psychology, which explains how habits are created and sustained through three elements: cue, routine, and reward.

The survey revealed that the habit loop of watching pornography begins with feelings of fatigue and stress (cue). Individuals watch pornography to alleviate this stress (routine), aiming for relaxation (reward).

We then explored alternative activities to replace the routine of watching pornography. Pornography stimulates the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward, which can create a sense of euphoria. The brain can become addicted to elevated dopamine levels, requiring more stimulation to achieve the same arousal.

Our research led us to a method called dopamine detox to reset the brain's reward system. Dopamine detox involves temporarily reducing or eliminating activities that provide excessive dopamine stimulation. The primary goal is to allow the brain to "reset" or re-regulate from habits causing addiction or overstimulation.

Key benefits of dopamine detox:
- Restore normal dopamine sensitivity
- Enhance self-control
- Reduce compulsive behavior

The Outcome

We built Pure Mind Outlook, an app that not only suggests alternative activities but also encourages users to write a journal about their experiences. By engaging in different activities and reflecting on them, users can break the habit loop associated with watching pornography. The app provides a structured approach to dopamine detox, helping users reset their brain's reward system and develop healthier habits.

To make the process more engaging, we implemented gamification elements such as:

Key Features:
- Streaks for maintaining healthy habits
- A shop system for character customization
- Points earned through achievements
- Personalized character development options
Pure Mind Outlook Dashboard View Pure Mind Outlook Journaling View Pure Mind Outlook Shop View

App Features

The app includes three main views:

  • Dashboard View: Track your progress and view your current streaks
  • Journaling View: Record your thoughts and experiences
  • Shop View: Customize your character using earned points

Conclusion

Our journey with M.RADEN was filled with challenges, from identifying a meaningful problem to developing an effective solution. Through research, expert consultations, and user feedback, we created Pure Mind Outlook, an app designed to address the taboo topic of PMO addiction in Indonesia. This experience taught us the importance of persistence, collaboration, and innovative thinking in tackling complex issues.

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