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This Is Your Brain on Porn: Pornography Addiction, Society, and the Brain
Many of my drug using, sex crazed friends have said at least once that having an orgasm and doing a line of cocaine create the same feelings within the brain. I am able to understand why there is a chemical change when participating in a sexual act, but I cannot comprehend how people can be addicted to pornography, which has virtually no interaction with the viewer. Sexual acts that one partakes in, like all activities that one partakes in, changes the chemical reactions and firing rates in the brain; so why is it that viewing pornography, which is a mainly optical activity, can change the brain, and even more than that, create an addiction? Simply put, pornography addiction is the “abuse and overuse” (1) of various types of pornography; however, on a deeper level it is a very complicated subject. It raises both medical and social questions, and it is uncertain if the answers to these questions will ever be agreed upon. It is one of the few addictions that are just considered to be a psychological addiction; possibly because of that, most doctors do not consider it an actual addiction, but instead as a sub-condition of obsessive compulsive disorder (1).
While it is not considered a legitimate disease by many, pornography addiction does have similar symptoms: those affected are not able to control how often they engage in the behavior, engage in it to rid themselves of stress, work up a tolerance to it, and engage in the behavior instead of having social and personal interactions (1). These symptoms, especially the ultimate, have been exacerbated by the drastic increase of internet porn, which makes the medium readily available in the privacy of one’s own home. The extra convenience has occurred hand in hand with increasing opposition, stating that pornography in the home has effects on not only the person viewing it, but also those who stumble upon it, such as children. Many see it as a perversion of the home, and not as a real disease.
Another aspect of the addiction that makes it scientifically legitimate is the changes that occur in the brain when one engages in activities involving pornography. When an addict looks at porn, testosterone, dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin are released, creating what Dr. Judith Reisman refers to as an “erototoxin” (2). The chemical change, which causes the person engaging in the act to have a temporary feeling of euphoria, becomes a necessity for the person to function. Like any other type of addict, porn addicts become trapped within their disorder, and the difference between casually watching pornography and being an addict hinges on the chemical makeup of the brain.
Pornography addiction is still very controversial, because the issue of its existence is still being constantly disputed. Scientists and moralists are entangled in a possibly endless argument, both publicly and privately, over the legitimacy of the addiction, as well as the differences between pornography addiction and other addictions, such as drug or alcohol addictions. While Dr. Judith Reisman agrees that viewing pornography causes a chemical change within the brain, she also believes that these changes will create a physical deterioration along with the psychological effects; however, as a critic of Reisman pointed out, “One unmentioned implication [of Reisman’s article] is the fact that, if sexual arousal from pornography causes 'brain damage', then so will real-life sex” (2). Since there is a reasonable possibility that having sex and viewing porn cause the same sort of stimulation in the brain, it would make sense that every time one engages in sex, one loses part of one’s mental faculties. Currently, there is no data to prove that this is true, and it appears as if there is no affirmative data about viewing pornography as well. Another issue of an addiction to porn is that while, with most drugs, it is possible to work all of the chemical out of the body after a certain amount of time, a pornographic image will stay in the memory as long as the memory exists. In a far more extreme interview, Dr. Judith Reisman stated, “[Pornography] could be more addictive than crack cocaine because cocaine can be excreted from the body. Pornographic images cannot. They remain, structurally and neurochemically, with a person forever” (3). She, as well as many others who believe that pornography addiction has more detrimental effects than other types of addiction, take the issue of addiction out of the scientific, and drag it into the sociopolitical. n
Personally, the research for this paper has raised more questions than it has answered. I am still unsure as to why it is considered a disease that branches out from obsessive compulsive disorder, as opposed to being on its own as a disorder. All addictions are obsessive, but not all are part of another disorder. It seems to me as if the squalor surrounding pornography addiction, not its scientific merit, has prevented it from becoming its own legitimate psychological disease. This has caused me to question how addictions are understood and proceeded with in both scientific and social realms, and also to understand that the variables of what determines a disease are not necessarily solely based on science or facts; much more plays into a disease than I had ever contemplated, especially ones that relate to something as that is discussed so much socially, morally, and politically, such as pornography.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornography_addiction
- http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2005/07/attack_of_the_porno.html
- http://www.ewtn.com/library/ISSUES/REALKINS.HTM
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| This paper reflects the research and thoughts of a student at the time the paper was written for a course at Bryn Mawr College. Like other materials on Serendip, it is not intended to be "authoritative" but rather to help others further develop their own explorations. Web links were active as of the time the paper was posted but are not updated. |
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Comments
Eye candy
I was exposed to porn when I was 13. I am now 21 and struggling to stop watching and rid myself of the images that have molded themselves into my head. Watching pornography is like being a kid in a candy store. He gets exactly what he wants whenever he wants it. After he take the first bite he just wants to have more. After he is finished with the first candy bar he than has to move on to another one because the last one made him feel satisfied and happy. But after a while that satisfaction wears off and he goes back for the XL candy bar instead of just the regular size because he can't resist the amount of serotonin and endorphin rushing through his mind and body every time he takes a bite of it. That feeling is than molded into his mind as an association that every time he eats a candy bar he will feel good. This is what psychologists call classical conditioning. Porn is the same thing. We can have any women whenever we want it and the best thing about it is that it is easily accessible and free. And the worst hing about it is that after the first exposure to it we can't resist coming back for more and it molds those images into our minds so that eventually it's like the computer tab on the computer where we can open the file and look at the image whenever we want w/o an electronic device. Sadly, we can no longer see women as God's creation, only as objects to be viewed behind the bars of a screen. I feel isolated from the rest of the world and feel ashamed in the presence of women because I think to myself "If they only knew what I viewed last night or what I was thinking about them right now they would never love me or accept me" I would than be left alone in the world to live this life as a porn zombie and die; my life would be absolutely pointless. But I don't want that to be me when I have a wife and kids, when I'm online, at work, or just even talking to someone of the opposite sex. I want out of this prison before it totally destroys my life! If anybody has any suggestions to help me break free of this prison that would be great!!!
There is a book that I know a
There is a book that I know a man is reading to help with this, it is called The Game Plan and it is very insightful and helpful for trying to understand why it is so addicted, and how to help break the addiction.
Sex Addicts Anonymous
My husband has been going to a "men's only" SAA group for 2 months now. The group is 100% confidential. He swears by it and is so grateful for the support! He does not feel so alone anymore and can now speak more freely with me about it. It has taught him to be more open and be more aware when those feelings arise. He can now reach out to either me or another group member before he "acts out" to help him stop the urges. He found the group through:
http://saa-recovery.org/ Good luck! I hope you can find what you need to help yourself.
Porn addiction
My experience has shown me I'm addicted to lust, which manifests itself to me as porn. My memories and fantasies of sex can be called up at a moment's notice by any of a host of trigger mechanisms: tabloids at the check-outs stands, verbal porn (aka erotic literature), memories of my own sexual experiences (my wife becomes a sex object); the list goes on and on. This addiction has cost me a job and made regular employment since then elusive. The one thing that has helped me most is participation in Sexaholics Anonymous and working with a sponsor to help me go through the points of this 12-step recovery program. As a man of faith, I'm glad it allows me to seek the help of God "as I understand Him". Not only men, but women also, can benefits from this--either as addicts or as those affected by their relationships with addicts. It helped me achieve sobriety for six months just recently. Even though I've relapsed, I feel confident that, having done it before, I can be sober/abstain from porn and other forms of sex addiction for six months or more again. According to my understanding of God, this program requires me to rely on God's grace. My best wishes to all those struggling with this insidious addiction.
What's wrong with you people
There is absolutely nothing wrong with masturbation. I mean it. Please tell me one reason, which is backed by sound support, why masturbation makes you an evil sinner. I am willing to bet that somewhere around 90% of men masturbate; the other 10% of which are children under 10. Masturbation is a healthy habit that is proven to decrease the risk of prostate cancer, among other health benefits. I implore you all do a little more research before casting yourself into a pit of depression because of the old sock trick. Do you think God would really like you to feel that way about your life and inhibit your growth?
The masturbating is not the problem here
It' s the desensitizing that happens when one uses pornography to masturbate. The images one is seeing while masturbating causes the brain to think that unless they see something similar they are no longer "turned on." This is why a lot of men's libidos have decreased with their spouse. The spouse could never live up to the horrific things that are seen in porn. The women who are in the porn industry are drug addicts and alcoholics who had been sexually or physically abused as children. How else could a woman bare to withstand the abuse they go though in these porn videos? This is not how love is shared between two people. It is sad how our society has made porn a "norm"
hummm
I know this is an old post but I feel compelled to reply. Unless you are watching circus sideshow freak porn where the female has 6 nipples and 4 arms, most porn can be recreated in the bedroom , but start on the beginner stuff. I'm a huge advocate for couples watching porn together. It starts a dialogue. You ask your partner "hey have you ever tried that?" If the answer is no ask her if she would be interested, and let her know it's something you've always wanted to do with her. Boom real life porn. The BS line that porn makes real sex less appealing is wrong. Really porn should be the catalyst for finally getting the sex you always dreamed of. While some woman are a little shy when it comes to sex it's not that hard to bust that shell. Explain to her what you've always thought of doing to her and she will be putty in your hands.
Sincerely,
Priapus
Area love guru
And porn expert
I don't know what to do.
I'm crying right now reading these comments and all the hardship. I started porn when I was 12, got caught soon after that and when I had the chance I started and haven't stopped. I'm 18 and have sunk further than I ever thought possible. Porn is keeping me from my life and relationship with God. I'm a Christian and am racked by guilt. Guilt that I no longer feel guilty when I watch porn. No one knows how bad it really is. My parents thought I kicked it years ago. That I handled it. I Didn't. MY life is just starting I can't do this in college. I feel sick and disgusting all the time, but I can't stop. Every time I've stopped I just go back to it. It's so painful. I feel like I don't even deserve God's forgiveness. I want more than anything to stop. If I don't I don't know what will happen to my life. I'm so afraid. Help me...
My friend, you are so
My friend, you are so precious to the Lord!! Even when you feel disgusting and filthy, His grace washes over you!! Pornography is something that is bigger than us! The bondage of pornography is heavy, but by the Lord's grace you CAN overcome!
Christian Men Tormented by Porn
I empathize with you. brother, and the hundreds of thousands of Christian men out there struggling with this problem. I had an overwhelming addiction for over seven years but I broke free. There is an answer.
The problem is a physical one, not just a moral one. You chose to use porn, yes, but once you trained your brain to make it a habit it got out of control.
Why?
Because it feels too good!
When you feel bad your brain's job is to help you feel good. In most cases, things that feel good are good for us. But that's only true in a normal environment where good things are in short supply, usually just enough to benefit us. Not so with porn anymore. Not with the internet.
So how do you break this compulsion? You've got to interrupt the pattern. Break the neurological connection you created between the idea of feeling good by watching porn and your body's response to those thoughts which then send you irresistibly looking for porn. It's cause and effect.
How do you do that? Interrupt the pattern?
There are many different ways, but the best way I found, the one that is the most systematized for porn addiction, is called The One Minute Way. When it's used for all other kinds of compulsions, emotions and addictions It's know as simply, Tapping. Seriously, that's what it is. While you sit thinking, feeling or watching porn you simply tap on various parts of your face, body and hands. The effect is to interrupt the connection between the thoughts in your mind and the feelings they generate in your body.
To learn how this works with pornography addiction, check out the book, "No More Porn - The One Minute Way to Break Your Addiction to Porn." It goes into a lot of detail about all of this. It's the thing that ended my addiction to porn. I hope it helps you.
God Loves You
Trust me, I know how you feel. There've been soooo many times that I felt like i dont even deserve God's forgiveness. But, He forgives us bcuz he loves us, not bcuz of our actions. I promise you, He will always be there for you. Problem is, most people DONT see the dangers of porn!!! They think its just some normal thing and shrug it off! It is dangerous and has desensitized our view of men AND women. So, I'll pray 4 yu. I know that it's hard, but God will be there with you all the way! He'll never you! Pray about it, resist the devil when he tries to put bad stuff into your head, and just ask God 4 help. God convicts your heart, but the devil will ONLY make you feel guilty, sometimes for NO REASON! You don't have to feel guilty, because God loves you and will be with you :) if you wanna say anything, just reply or e-mail me lol
I understand
Wow, I wish I couldn't say this without it being true but it IS true...I know how you feel. I really hope you see this reply, I dont remember when I first got exposed to it but all it took was one time and I was hooked, and still am. I'm 21 now and I am more addicted than ever before,most days I start with porn and end the day with porn acting as if its something routine as eating breakfast. all the money and time wasted but the worst part about it all is feeling so damn lonely, like I'm the only one, like all my friends and family would never look at me the same. I've gotten caught by my parents many times when I was younger and honestly I used to blame them for never seeing me through it and just assuming it was A phase. As i got older I realized thats not helping and only making it worse, I took responsibility for getting here. I have only told I think like...2 people (other than my parents) over the years and i think that even them realized just how bad it was/is. i've sunken so deep and now im at the point where its almost like i accept that I'm hooked and some days just dont care. other days I cant help but feel disgusting and worthless and more so that I'll never find another relationship while my mind is so clogged, and somedays even believe that I don't deserve one, ever. I guess the point I'm trying to make is I get where you're coming from, i really do. I hope you are doing alright and please please please remember you are not alone. many times we can't see the demons that someone is facing, and for those facing them it can make them (as well as myself) feel so alone. However some day I'll get the courage to kick this habit, even if it means swallowing my pride and reaching out for help. Please believe you will too. We are not in this alone, please believe that you are NOT worthless or undeserving of love from anyone, no matter how much you'd think that at times. Take care.
Forgiveness
NOTHING can keep you from your relationship from God! His son went to the cross so you CAN have constant contact with God! Gods love will burn through anything you have going on, when you get there revolution that Gods love will burn through any thing you have going on! I was addicted to porn as well, and am a recovering with Gods help and love! John said I am the one that God loves! God loved all the decipals but John was expressing the love that God had for him! Look when Jesus was baptised God said this is my beloved son whith whom I am we'll pleased, but later on when satan tempted him he said if you are Gods son, he dropped beloved! Just remember God loves you and is with you ALL the time through Jesus Christ.
I want to introduce you to a new concept:
Dude. What did you expect? You're a guy. If our bodies didn't develop sexuality about the time you described, we wouldn't be here. I believe Christianity is wrong in its condemnation of masturbation. How else are you going to learn about your body, sexually? Why is it sinful? What are the fruits.
The guilt you are feeling, now, that is definitely harmful. You need to address that guilt boy, not your sexuality. Find a way to bridle it, sure. Save yourself for marriage, have a high-self esteem and don't engage in promiscuity. This will be much easier if you're not beating the shit out of yourself every day. Seriously. Stop that. Now.
Recognize that women love to feel attractive, that it's an important part of their sexuality, and they love to feel wanted. It's how the whole birds and the bees work. There are a lot of husbands who are excellent, loving, caring mates and indulge occasionally in pornography. It won't turn you to stone, so you can relax a bit. Just make sure you really focus on what's important: your new mate feeling safe, loved, and adored. Focus on that, and mark my words, the rest will get easier.
Keep beating the crap out of yourself, and it won't matter how many SAA meetings you attend. You'll never break it. The guilt is the single biggest factor holding you back, because it is, believe it or not, contributing to the reasons you feel like you need a coping mechanism: porn. That's all it is for you. Find a new way to cope.
Help is here.
Hey. I started porn when I was 13 and got caught up in it. I am currently 21 and am attempting to quit watching it. I would suggest that if you truly want to fight it that you get a program for your computer that will block 98% of explicit images and have someone else put in the password so that you can access it. I am also a Christian and pornography drives me to feelings of guilt, shame, and isolation; especially the isolation part. I have a hard time talking to my peers who are girls because I have the constant thought of "do they know I watch porn?" Do they know what I do at night when no one else is looking? And a deep unworthiness to be loved or accepted by any of them seeps in and destroys my heart and my mind. I would also suggest going to a support group like Celebrate Recovery and meet other porn addicts who are also struggling to get out of the same hole. I also would suggest a volunteer opportunity or a job as a way to keep yourself active and keep your mind off of the image. In the world of porn you turn in to what you think about and dwell on, so if you dwell on anything let it be Christ and remember that God made women in his own image just as he made men in his own image as his creation and he called them very good and porn destroys that principle on both fronts. And of course be in continual prayer that God would rid your mind of those images and rid your heart of the desire to watch porn and instead of being on a one-track mind of porn that you would be rerouted on a one-track mind to serve Christ and be his. I will continue to pray for the both of us that God will free us from this addiction. From, A Brother in Christ
GUILT
I can see where you are coming from. I have been hoping for it all to be gone the information age has a dark side youth and innocence can be lost. God's Forgiveness is there He has put so far our transgressions from the sunrise to the sunset the Bible brings that out by turning our focus away from mundane visual things and focus our life on constructive upbuilding things whatever it may be according to his will we will succeed and we can leave it all behind and conquer the world GUILT WILL BE GONE LOVE AS BIG AS THE OCEAN WILL REMAIN
Associate with good Men of God
one way to get yourself out of this habit is to associate with great men of God because, they are always going to inspire you and also encourage you to be like them. secondly, there are many way we get to pornography. it could be from our friends gadgets, CDs and the internet. resist taking people's gadget for yourself. Do not access the internet when you are alone to resist the temptation to ponography. And finally, take note that ponography will take you to hell so resist the devil's offer and make Joseph you menthor. God bless you and Strenthen you. AMEN
Reply to Assoc w/ good "Men of God"
Pornography will not send you to hell anymore than jealousy will. Your Mormonism will take you to Hell!! Its a cult...it is not of God and you need to repent, turn from that evil and see that Jesus, not Joseph Smith, is the Savior of the world. He is alive and well and seated at the right hand of God. You need to read the Bible cover to cover and see if you find any other name by which men can be saved but through the name of Jesus and His blood ALONE!! May God open your eyes to the Truth friend.
Reply
If you are a Christian you never "deserve" God's forgiveness. You just have it. You must believe He loves you as much when you are in the middle of a porn session as He does if you haven't seen it for years. Trust in His love, his love does not fail when we do, He is God.
Do as Paul said, whatever is noble, lovely, of good report, think on these things.
Also, eat a better diet, get some productive excersize. Give your body the brain chemicals it needs in a better way.
Do not give up, trust in His willingness to walk this with and for you.
Porn addiction
Hi Serendip Visitor,
I am a sex addict.
I am healed and free now, thanks to the Candeo recovery program:
I wish you the best my friend. God love you just as you are today. God wants to help you
Disconnect
Get rid of your home internet connection. No need to explain to others. If the temptation is not there then you will not need to worry about it. I shocked myself in August browsing porn on a popular site. I was drinking and thought looking was no problem. I shocked myself and gave myself a nervous problem.
Call tomorrow and get rid of your internet connection. Everything else will fall in to place. Pay bills in the mail. Use the internet at Starbucks.
Just do it!
porn
I was heavy into porn once... always thinking about my next fix, weather i was in a public library, or on my laptop on the train. I just didnt care anymore, if you were gone for five minutes, that was enough time for me. Back in June I finally broke down. I was up at a buddys house who only had tranny magazines, I had to get off, and I did... enough was enough, I've been off the meat for two weeks and havent looked back.
Thnx for accepting me and God Bless
Best way is to remove all sex
Best way is to remove all sex contents everywhere. Ive never watched porn and had no fantasy about sex until 21 until a bad incident got me into this disgusting act of watching porn, now I'm 24. I was trying to learn python programming language and ended up on sick porn site and got bitten by this snake. Now I can't seem to stop watching porn, I'm poisoned by satan's venom. If I did not end up on this website i wouldnt even have known how woman's genitalia looked until when I got married. I'm getting sicker everyday and now I came to a point where I start to feel numb about thinking watching porn is bad. Clearly its a poison and clearly I'm dying from it. God give me antidote to save me from this poison before I die from it!!. The site I should've visited was .org, I assumed this programming site was .com and ended up entering into house full of venomous snakes instead of house of learning. These hidden snake houses must be burned down and burn these snakes down before our precious little brothers and sisters in Christ gets killed!!
Find a Pure Desire Group
For all those struggling check out pure desire and find a group.
you know it
hi all,
I am a guy in my twenties and a christian, so not the best situation to casually watch porn. It started as once a week, now its almost everyday and I have been reading some material regarding the brain and how it responds to porn. no going around it. it is probably worse than a gaming adiction because gaming merely generates dopamine. and is in fact rather adictive aswell... iti s good to see I am not the only one strugling which actually makes me have a stronger rtesolve to throw off this balast since I am a straight regular guy who wants to do all that is right just and fair. so you can probably imagine that this is quite frustrating. I have even looked for psychological reasons why I would do this kind of behaviour. and I think it is a little of both. at the end of the day it is a habbit. and habbits can change. but it takes a fight and I think personally you can change habbits and memories by choosing to forget and learn another trick for the monkey word speaking wise. my own resolve is a bible. I must read and make that my habbit. the words, my new memories. in other words. brain stores data much like a hard disk. if you write data, in the end you overwrite data.
I just hope my personality hasnt changed too much since the incidents. since it affects your libido as well as the way you think.
so basicly, yes its programming, but you are the master for your own life and if you decide, your body is merely the hardware for the soul. in some sense therefore it is very selfish behaviour because if so, it is better to marry . but before that I do want to say that it is very good to build in a safe zone and change the habbit before you become like a bloody rabbit and nympho
Hey man.. I check up on here
Hey man.. I check up on here every once in a while because I went through this addiction for longer than I'd like to admit and this year I finally faced my problem. Early in January I literally broke down because of the impact porn addiction had had on my life. I wrote my story on here and I had someone tell me he would pray for me. Back then he was the only one in the world who knew my story and cared enough to include me in his prayers. I came to tears instantly... it was a very emotional day for me. I vowed to quit right then and there... and I did. But I relapsed several months later, pretty bad. For the next few months I was locked in my room for an hour a day looking up pornography. When I realized how badly it had impacted my life once again... my frame of mind, my relationships, my confidence (the list goes on), I finally broke down in front of my mom, because I felt I had to explain to her why I was the way I was. As I look at the calendar today, it has been 54 days and everything in my life is better for it. I enjoy life free of guilt. I have a brand new libido, and I feel like a magnet to women... before I had no reason to talk to women and actually talked myself out of every girl I thought I could have a connection with. I don't have to sit in prayer every night telling God that I will try harder tomorrow. It is a huge burden off of my back. You are right on with the brain downloading habits. You should pick up "The Biology of Belief" by bruce lipton to better understand it, or "the pleasure trap". Both great reads. Anyways man... you're definitely not alone, and you can definitely beat it. When you do, you'll find the person you were before you had it in your life just waiting for you to resume on the path you were given.
Helppp
Hi im 12Y/O and i been watching alot of Porn recently and i tried to stop i didnt watch porn for 3 weeks and then i went to my friend house and he wanted to watch porn and i said no but then i cracked and know im watching a lot of porn help me
I am just like you
Listen young one, I am 22 years old. I was 12 when I started. I had the same IQ as Einstein and was good at everything. In the following years my body and mind changed drastically. I became sick and tired every day, my IQ dropped and I developed strong attention deficiencies, and I lost my ability to achieve a full erection, and in fact I havent had one in years. By 15 I started prematurely losing hair, and my mind lost its ability to cope with stress. I barely made it through high school and I've been struggling in college. I should be graduating from Harvard this year. I could have done that with my life instead. None of this is false or fabricated to impress you. Pornography ruined my life, and I pray now that God will give it back. Read my words child and run like hell from this demon. It waits to devour you and God is hear lending you your rope. :'(
Porn addiction
Hi I stared at a young age of 12 when I found a paper with a naked girl on it at my brothers I just looked could not could not stop looking so one day I took it i felt wrong to take it an just looking at it but I could not stop my self from there I feel like in just sliding down faster an faster as I age an I can't stop please help me what do I do how do I stop
Look on Amazon.com..a book
Look on Amazon.com..a book called Surfing for God..he talks about his addiction to porn and how he became free from it..I think it's only $11..u should check it out
Porn Help
Seek counselors, Pray for God to help you, find a pastor of a church, Read John Chapter 1-5 in the Bible.
Like most I started at a
Like most I started at a young age out of ignorance. I've been much more successful in restraining myself the past few years. It's been four full months since I've viewed internet pornography. I never got into dvds, magazines or other media thankfully. It's a great idea to take up sports, hobbies or exercises. Yoga and weight lifting are great at night for insomnia. Tanning is really great for reducing stress during the day also. Be careful not to injure yourself though. This gives you a physiological dependency on something positive in your life. I'd recommend taking a figure drawing class at a local or community college also to think about the body differently. Being near models of different appearances in an academic setting helps with respecting yourself and others more. Counting relapses or days without porn on a calender is also a really good idea. It's best to do this with the goal of decreasing gradually month to month. It's also a good idea to quit/reduce masturbation as well as TV, video games and movies that are explicit or violent. A healthy diet is important also. Cutting down on animal products, refined sugars and processed foods is a good idea as well. Of course if you exercise more you need proper nutrition for that too. The big picture is to eliminate your triggers and replace them with positive impulses. Everyone's different. Hope this helps you. :)
Story
I want to first say that I am in my twenties and have been watching porn since I was about 13 years old. I can honestly say that it has taken everything from me. Believe it or not, I am convienced that pornography has ruined every relationship I have ever been in. Everyone knows that the beauty of pornography is quick satisifaction without effort. Along with that comes the unlimted variety and easily accessibility. I would date someone for sometime and at the same time watch porn. I would start to look at my partner different and pick apart any flaws I would see in them. You see in porn (fantasy) I could have a blonde, a burnette, asian, or anything of my wildest dreams. Most men are visual by nature and we are stimulated by visual interations. Thereby as I would slowly pick my g/f apart I would start to love less. Love is such a funny thing its like you know that feeling when your all nervous and butterflys and heart racing and all that good things, but after sex I began to just feel guilt. I would look at my g/f and think the same things that porn starts thought it became all materialist. Further into the relationship my mind would become more and more warped and eventually I would prefer watching porn as opposed to waiting for my partner. Porn is less effort I can do it whenever I want and it will always always be there for me. This all sounds good, but its not. Porn was not the same as sex with my partner. Porn didn't replace a girlfriend there was no love, no soul, no interaction. At first your lonely, and then you instantly become happy, then you suddenly get very sad, then you get pissed. Does this sound like the same interaction as cocaine? Walking around pissed all the time is not something I wanted to do. So lets take a step back. When I didn't watch porn as much and when I had a steady girlfriend. The smallest thing like sending flower to my girlfriend or getting a note, or hugging and kissing. All these were very satisfing. Instead of wondering what the next variety I could get were I was always wondering about her. I was non-stop thinking about her every thing I did everything reminded me of her. Let me be perfectly frank. As someone with 15 years of pornography experience. I honestly believe that porn is only 2nd in the most dangerous thing is this country (the first being Meth). I wonder how many relationships are ruined by porn each day. I have been in lots of relationships and I even dated a stripper again every one of my relationship was effected by porn. I have trouble believing in God these days and thats hard for me to say, but I do believe this. Porn is wrong its something that eats away at you and you can not have a successful relationship if its in your life. I find it distrubing that kids younger and younger are accidently stubbling onto porn. The more hardcore porn is becoming the norm and the longer you watch the less distrubing any of it becomes. We not perfect, were humans and sex has been around for along time. However, this is different the internet and porn is so accessibly that its becoming an epedemic. My therapist told me you wouldn't believe the problem we are seeing with porn...8 year olds addicted. I think another thing that nobody is mentioning is that child molestation and pornography are a correlation of some kind. I was molested and I think that triggered something and made me more prone to watching pornography. Now I am male, but you wouldn't believe how many girls I know have been molested (1/4). If you honestly believe that porn has no influence on these numbers I hate to tell you, but your dead wrong. I would like to go to California do some studies and start spreading knowledge. People will hate....you cant stop porn its everywhere...excuse me but knowledge is power. How many people started avoiding artifical sweetners? How many people starting avoiding baked chips? How many people started doing the yoga or the instanity workout? You see people have always been one to follow and when they get word or knowledge of something they start to believe. You will have people who do and people who follow. If I could get some of each group that it would start spreading and maybe we could help at least show people who are willing to quit that there is a way and its not the norm to watch porn! Watching porn is not something that everyone does and hers why.... Anyways, thats part of my story. Feel free to contact me if you like.
Beautifully Said
Wow, its great to know that their is someone like me out there and that there are still ppl in this world with good hearts. Bless ur soul man, lets fight this atrocious industry together and just try to make this world a better place cause this world really needs saving. So stay positive and thank you for those words of wisdom and virtue :)
I am so proud of your honesty.
I am 25 years old, and Im dealing with a boyfriend that has a deep addiction. He started using it when he was 8 ish.. and he is 26 now. He is desensitized to feelings and emotions. It blows my mind. We have a terminally ill child together, and I am still a knock out beauty, but he still chooses porn over sex with me or hanging out with our daughter that is with no doubt going to die early. She is 5 months. REALLY!!!! The lack of honesty is insane. The lies, oh the lies! He doesnt want to lose me he says, he says Im the best thing that has ever happened to him, I am the only girl that he has ever had that is not a slut or sex hungry or is not a stripper. I wont cheat, I am loyal, funny blahh blahh right, but he will turn to porn in an instant then blame it on me, also saying that if he does not get to look at it, he is going to flip out. Nightly he will be on the net looking and downloading for hours and hours and hours and hours really 6-8 hours easy. Then leaves me to fend for myself and take care of our angel (She is Amazing!) while he sleeps to wake up late in the eve so he can start all over again. ohhhh pfffffft. thanks for listening to me vent. I know, I need to just leave. I will, because I see now after learning about this addiction for many many months, he'd just rather keep it. It must be a good drug to throw everything away. Okay really now, thank you for sharing your story. I am very very proud of you.
Boyfriend
Well you sound like one hell of a woman! I am a Christian man fighting a porn addiction, so I can only explain in a Christian way. When your boy friend says you are the greatest thing in your life he is right, but he has a demon that is robbing him of the best part of his life, most addicts have to hit rock bottom before he come up. So you may have to leave him to show him what he is loosing. But with pork addictions he is fighting his natural sexual urge as a man and than his habit with porn. It's a very slippery slop he is on. I hope this help you a little bit
Porn
For me porn has been a way of life,not sure how it started .But I became a christian 8 years ago ,so doing porn now is not good ,i can go
for weeks without doing porn then off i go.I pray that you will find happiness and for your Child.
Addiction to porn is not
Addiction to porn is not problem. A naked female is problem.
question
is it the women who is bad for being naked? or is it the man for not maintaining selfcontroll? I know, look who is talking, just silly old me trying to figure this out.
but this I know, our sins or actions are our own and our own responsibility. so the beauty of a women is much more than some freaking porn thing whatever. it is better to just basicly quit looking online. make relations and friendships or try some time alone to recuperate from porn. this thing is without a doubt deadly to your own heart.
ME TOO!!!!!
I too have watched porn,hentai,echhi,sex scene's and adult stuff.
when this started I was 6 or 7 years old now i'm 12 years old I have been trying to get rid of it since then but every time I try i'm so close but then it strike's even harder then before like this time I beat it for a week or 2 and a ahalf weeks then I fell in to the temtation of it I always pretend it's a demon whispering in my ear or a demon who's poscess me I tryed praying to god I even CRYED a dozen times but nope... nothing happened BUT now me shamrez shah or shamrez kazmye which ever one it is will try my hardest to fight it and my weapons are
1.praying
2.control
3.love
4.brain
5.strength
please wish me luck! XOD
Please help me to stop porn
Please help me to stop porn addict.. Cuz. I was trying to stop it but why i still want to watch porn again!.. Now im 13y.o.. Please help me.... And i feel it tht watch porn make me more angry... My emotion isnt under my control now... Please help me...thanks
These people can help
It's not too late. These people can help. Click on this website and then go to the meeting locator. They have special meetings being held all the time. You don't have to be a member of their church. They will help you to stop this addiction. They have awesome counselors there that are trained specifically for porn addiction. Please try. They can help. Don't give up. Don't give in.
I'd like to help.
I'd very much like to help you with your problem as well as hear your story. I'm doing research to learn about the effects of pornography in order to help people coping with the same thing you are. Reply at
Im troubling my self with this for so long
Hello there, I am 15 years old and i have been wanting to get out of this addiction for so long. I started this addiction when i was in 4th grade. When i was younger I didn't really think porn could take over someone's life.
My parents are very religious. I always just wanted to cry because I know what I'm doing to myself; its just that i cant control it. I try to pray every day so seems that i am still in touch with God but in my mind I'm not. I go through with going to church almost everyday putting a smile on my face, but in the closet I'm dirty, tainted and no longer an daughter from God. I hate myself every time i do it. I know what i have to do now to keep me from fallen into temptation.Thank you everyone that had a story to tell. It really helped me with the problem that I have. I'm going to take all my problems to God and hope he has something good for my future.
You are not alone
Hey buddy. I wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I am currently struggling with it, and i want to tell you right now that you cannot do it alone. You need to tell somebody about your addiction. I understand how humiliating it is, but you cannot beat it alone. Talk to a friend. Tell them everything. If you happen to look at it on a smartphone, set up X3 watch on it. The app monitors all app and web usage. And most importantly, pray. Jesus is above everything, and he will get you through this.
Understand that you will slip and fall. When you do, get back up. Overcoming this will be the hardest thing you will ever do in your life. But like i said before, it is all possible through jesus.
You can beat this!!!
Know that God's grace is
Know that God's grace is enough to heal you. After receiving Jesus when we sin we are no longer separated from God because of what Jesus did for us. We are forgiven of past present and future sins because Jesus's blood is continually washing away our sins so God never sees our sin he sees Jesus's blood that covers us. Knowing this is truly what sets us free.
AHHHHH!!!!!
Please read the book of ROMANS! Specifically chapter 6.
Porn addiction
Everything is possible with the power of God. Keep praying and reading scriptures. Remember your body is a temple and an instrument of worship . God forgives you of all sins , but you must genuinely pursue a better ,cleaner and more healthy life. I will be praying for you.
pray for us bro,this monster
pray for us bro,this monster is really taking over most of us youths,me being a practical example
Hi
My personal feeling is the more you want to go away from it the more explorable it seems and that causes the attraction and then leads you to watching it again. Just go to it see it as a body part, just apart of human body see it as long as you are not satisfied, take it as knowledge not as mental pleasure. You will find it less attractive and pursuasive. Engage yourselr in the things that challange you rather than that please you.Dont feel you are offending if you r watching porn.I am a theist and I believe that there is nothing wrong in knowing bad things.It is bad whenyou start trying to do it yourself and harm others. You are strong if you have watched porn for such a long time and still havent indulged in such activities. It proves you are a good daughter of god and he has his blessing for you.
This might help.