Firstly, it’s crucial to understand that we possess something known as the “reward system” in our brains. This term encompasses all brain areas that generate feelings of pleasure in response to stimulation. A significant component of this system is “dopamine”, a neurotransmitter designed to spur you into action. This chemical is fundamentally responsible for your motivation, driving your desire to engage in activities such as watching pornography.

The dopamine surge usually occurs just before the action, indicating that your urge to watch porn will be strongest when you’re already in front of the screen. Following this, after the orgasm, dopamine levels decrease, freeing you from the need to watch porn. We will discuss the changes in dopamine levels during the watching period shortly as it is quite important.

Typically, dopamine isn’t problematic. It propels us towards actions that we need, such as food, sex, social relationships, etc., elements that the brain deems necessary for our survival.

However, the issue with porn is that it triggers “super-stimulation,” especially with the advent of high-speed internet.

What is super-stimulation? It refers to substantial dopamine releases within short time intervals, particularly when you open multiple tabs and switch between them. In each tab, you focus on the most arousing part of the video, usually the climax. Consequently, your brain hits a dopamine peak with each tab – an action that repeats every few seconds or minutes, resulting in a constant dopamine overload.

This super-stimulation doesn’t occur during sex, as there isn’t a consistent expectation pattern leading to these dopamine spikes.

One major problem with porn addiction lies in these high dopamine levels, which become a priority for the brain. Moreover, once the brain acclimates to these dopamine levels, normal levels become insufficient, rendering everyday activities uninteresting and dull. This loss of interest is a contributing factor to why frequent porn viewers often struggle with maintaining an erection or reaching orgasm during sex.

Here are a few tips for breaking the cycle:

• Difficult to implement and not for everyone: Type the website address in your browser but then close it before watching any porn. This action triggers a massive frustration and initiates a process called “extinction” in the brain. Over time, the brain realizes that this dopamine source results in frustration and begins to reduce its secretion. However, this technique often fails many individuals because it’s hard to overcome the temptation.

• Avoid triggers. For instance, if you’re accustomed to watching porn in the bathroom, don’t bring your phone there. If there’s a specific place in your house where you view porn, change that environment – rearrange furniture or reposition your computer. This strategy reduces the mental association between a certain location and the anticipated reward from porn.

Be aware of a common withdrawal symptom known as “flatlining.” This term, borrowed from the flat line indicating death on a medical monitor, refers to the loss of libido during the initial withdrawal period. This absence of sexual desire can be so unsettling that some individuals return to watching porn just to regain it. This phase does pass, and your libido will return, but it can take a few weeks to several months, requiring patience.

Furthermore, you might experience reduced interest in various activities and a drop in mood due to the dopamine deficiency. Sharing your experiences and seeking support is vital, as you shouldn’t have to face these feelings of depression alone.

Lastly, it’s important to remember that addiction often has a psychological component, not just a physical one. Beyond the dopamine impact, watching porn can also provide a mental escape, disconnecting us from bothersome thoughts. Just like with cannabis use or screen addiction, while you’re immersed in porn, your brain isn’t focused on anything else troubling you.

If this is the case, during rehabilitation, you might suddenly face issues that you’d prefer to avoid. It’s important to give these feelings space, be kind to yourself, don’t expect to solve everything quickly, and share your journey with trusted individuals.

If you feel that you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Good luck!