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I like this article by Luke Gilkerson (as long ago as 2012), when he interviewed a Neuroscientist called Dr William Struthers - author of the book "How pornograpghy Hijacks the male brain"
Dr Struthers explains what hormones and neurotransmitters are involved in porn addiction. Hope you find this intriguing and interesting:
Testosterone: Testosterone drives a man’s interest in sex. Fantasizing or viewing images, will release testosterone. This creates an intense and growing desire for sexual release.
Norepinephrine: Is the brain’s version of adrenaline. It is responsible for making us alert, help us to wake up, fall asleep and to stay alert upon the task in hand. During sexual arousal, it alerts the brain to “Something is about to happen and we need to get ready for it.” It “ramps up” the brain for activity.
Serotonin: is a neurotransmitter tied to mood. Low serotonin levels can lead to struggling with depression. Although not specifically tied to sex, when sexual arousal happens, serotonin is released in small packets in the brain. It elevates the overall sense of excitement and enjoyment.
Dopamine: Dopamine is not sexually specific (like testosterone). The brain is wired in such a way that it wants to remember where our natural drives are satisfied; Just like when we are thirsty, we know where to find water. The brain is wired to place significance on the place we found it so we can return to that place. Dopamine is the drive-related neurotransmitter that accomplishes this mental focus for us. When we have a dopamine surge, the sense we feel is, “I have got to have this thing. This is what I need right now, and here’s where I get it.” Dopamine is the way your brain remembers how sexual craving was satisfied in the past, pushing you to seek out the same thing in the future. For the porn addict, Dopamine creates a sharp focus on finding porn.
Endogenous Opiates: The body produces natural forms of opium called endorphins. Endorphins relieve pain. Like opium, it gives a euphoric feeling of well-being. When a man ejaculates, these opiates create a “high” and a wave of pleasure coursing over the body.
Oxytocin and Vasopressin: These are hormones released in the brain in response to ejaculation. They help lay down the long-term memories for the cells. They “bind” a person’s memories to the object that gave the sexual pleasure. When someone returns to pornography again and again, this cements a “relationship” with what he has seen.
So, bringing them all together: As a male goes through his day, testosterone levels begin to increase as he stares at the source of his sexual attraction or fantasizes. He creates a desire for sexual release. Norepinephrine is being released, making his brain more and more primed and ready for action. Serotonin is also released, creating a sense of excitement about the pending sexual “payoff.” Dopamine is focusing the mind, telling the brain, “You have to go back to the attraction where that reliable payoff is at.” As he seeks out the attraction, he masturbates, releasing endogenous opiates into the brain, giving him a rush of euphoria. Oxytocin and vasopressin are released, binding him to the images he sees.
Repeat, beckons in the immediate future – when it will all start again and again, and again and again….Until the cycle is interrupted. Interesting hey?
No quick fixes guys. Quick fixes does not exist!
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