This Is Your Brain on Porn: Pornography Addiction, Society, and the Brain

I know exactly how you feel when you talk about hating yourself after you look at porn. I go through the same thing every time I do it, and I feel so far away from God and like I've disappointed him. There is good news for people like you and me, however! We are a fallen people. It is impossible for us to keep the rules that God has set up for us perfectly, in this case do not lust because it's the same as committing adultery in your heart. He knows that, and the Apostle Paul points this out well in Romans 7. "But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died." (Rom. 7:8-9) His point here is that the law isn't meant to make us try to do better, yet the law acts kind of like a mirror: It shows us our sinful natures, mistakes, and habits; it reflects what's in our hearts. The law shows us that we aren't good, and that we don't measure up to God's standard. Here's the beautiful thing! God knows that we can't match up to his standard, but His Son, who represents us, can. By grace alone through faith, we have been saved (Ephesians 2). Christ came and took upon all the wrath of God that was meant for us, and he purifies us and makes us clean through the blood of the cross.

So the problem with pornography is that we have a faulty understanding of God. We don't see him as truly gracious and freeing, but we see him as a disappointed ruler, tsking and tapping his foot on the ground and shaking his head with his arms crossed whenever we screw up. We feel like he's just giving us rules, and that frustrates us. But if we understand his grace, truly understand it, we stand in awe of God with thankfulness in our hearts! He doesn't love us any less when we screw up or any more when we try to do good things to please him; he loves us because he can, and he loves unconditionally.

Another aspect of porn is that we're lonely. Often times, there feels like a hole in our hearts that needs to be filled, and so we try to fill it with pornography because it feels good in that moment. It makes us happy. But you see, what makes us happy comes from what's happening (Happening to happiness. See the similar prefixes?). Happiness is temporary. But if we fill that gap with Christ, he satisfies us and brings us joy, which is eternal. Joy is not the same as happiness. Joy is being content and satisfied despite current circumstances. So whenever you feel lonely, remember what Christ has done for you and what he accomplished for you on the cross. Let him fill you up with his joy and love. He is amazing, and he can truly do that for you! He's done it for me.

You will screw up. Make no mistake in thinking you won't. You will. When we think we're good, that's when we're most vulnerable. Remember everyday that we depend on God's grace and mercy so much, and that it is by him that we live, breathe, and are able to be with him in eternity. It will produce thankfulness in your heart. Remember that you are not alone! There are people who can help you in this endeavor and whom you can trust with confidentiality. And remember that things won't always be as they are now. Christ will return, and things will be better. He is good!

2 years ago Jesus appeared from no where to me.lust has dominated mankind for thousands of years,maybe your wife needs help .

I'd really like to help you, and others in your situation. I've been trying to talk to people with pornography addictions in order to do more research for publication. Your story and point of view would be extremely helpful, and hopefully I might be able to help you. Reply at

Caleb
contact me on may b it will be a little helpful for you

Society has dictated that porn should be in that little room at the back of the video store, it's not because it's immoral, it's not because it's not normal. Sex is a pleasurable experience for those involved, people who find pleasure in something like to share it with the world, instead of hoarding it to themselves.... yes pornography has taken a turn for the worse in recent years, but everything has taken that turn recently. I've watched porn for the past 8 years, i've had healthy relationships, no erectile dysfunction.... no problems whatsoever. People need to realise that it's not the material that damages society and the people around us, it's the stigma we attach which causes the guilt and therefore the damage. It's easy to see where the problem stems from, yet people are too blinded by old ways to move forward and admit that we're wrong. Porn is less damaging to society than most of the things without stigma attached, for Christs sake, being American is more damaging to society than porn is.

First I want to say God is always there to help, if you come before Him with genuine repentance. The first thing God wants you to do is educate yourself on this topic. The reason you feel ashamed of God is you are sinning and sin separates us from God. Jesus says He wants to save us from our sin. Not in our sin. Porn is highly addictive because it stimulates the mind, even though you are not physically performing the act. Just by watching porn your brain thinks you are. Now what most people don't understand is that what we eat can trigger addiction. For example any stimulating food (meat, sugar, cheese, etc.) causes the dopamine levels in the brain to increase and we feel a since of euphoria

hi dont be afraid of what u r feeling ok.if u feel like seeing porn u try to divert ur mind.drink more water it will reduces ur such feelings.and start reading Swami Vivekanada books."Youth Arise Awake".U belive god he will be always with u. God Bless You.

stop watching it. ask yourself if you would like your mother, sister, or daughter acting in porn. No! Then don't support this industry by watching it. Also, it will destroy your soul, so quit it for yourself.

The fact that you no longer feel guilty for watching pornography means that your heart has turned to stone and that you have fallen so far into it that you are trying to justify that what you're doing is okay. You have pushed away the Holy Spirit and are a slave to sin. You need to wake up and realize that this is not a good state to be in and that pornography and lust have taken over your life. Pray that God would heal your hardened heart and ask Him to guide you and save you from this horrible situation. I myself struggle with this so i am also talking to myself, but it is crucial that we all turn from our sin and seek the Lord. He is coming back soon. You also speak about pornography coming into your life at a young age abd its hard to have it hit you when you were so young, but just pray and read your bible, this is something you need to get rid of in your life as well as something i need to get rid of as well. I will pray for you and please pray for me too.

Prayer is ONE of the most powerful weapons out of SEVERAL we have been given by God to combat evil so make sure you use it (Read Ephesians 6 verses 10-19). A lot of people shared some very important things concerning getting off addictions, the grace of God and salvation. All are very important but I want to also share another angle which doesn't get mentioned that much but it helped me to "ween" myself or at least take that first step upwards out of the pit rather than just sliding down into it.

The first thing we MUST understand is that there is a spiritual battle for the souls of men and this world is currently controlled mainly by Satan and his kingdom of demons, devils and human followers (yes, just as God has an army of angels and human followers, so too does Satan - it's clearly written there in the Bible but we tend to forget that in our every day lives).

Satan and his followers have infiltrated many areas of our lives and now pretty much control much of the developing world through the media (movie, music, tv, news industries), education and even politics, science and religion (yes even many churches, but thankfully not all, have also been infiltrated - why would they not be? Satan hates the church and wants to destroy it if not render the church ineffective in the saving of souls).

From the day you are born Satan has already in place many mechanisms to corrupt, hurt and even kill you (how many abortions are carried out throughout the world every day?). One set of methods is by bombarding us everyday with sexual images (tv, movies, magazines, internet, advertising), sexual music (songs, party/clubbing), sexual culture (by destroying family and Christian values and the culture of casual gf or bf relationships which can easily lead to sex out of marriage or the desire to watch sex out of marriage (porn). These are general strategies Satan uses. If you are already a Christian or once you become one by repenting of the wrongs you have done and putting your heart and trust in God then more targeted attacks are likely to occur because you are now officially in the enemy camp. Are you following me here.

It's no surprise that many Christians are struggling with porn because it is one (of many) of the most effective tools in destroying Christians. I was introduced to porn by a school friend who at lunch time showed me his dad's porn magazines that he found in his garage cupboard (note to parents - YOUR porn that you have stashed away in the cupboard or on your computer/mobile has a dangerous flow-on effect that can destroy other sons and daughters lives, not just your own or your childrens so DELETE and THROW IT AWAY ASAP). Can you imagine the effect an uncensored edition of PL*&%^? could have on an innocent pre-teen? I asked to borrow it that night and I have been addicted to porn ever since and almost destroyed my marriage, until recently (for those who are younger, PLEASE IF YOU CONTINUE TO WATCH PORN YOUR BRAIN AND HABITS CHANGE SO THAT THAT YOU BECOME ADDICTED TO IT. THE LONGER YOU KEEP THE HABIT, THE HARDER IT CAN BE TO KICK THE ADDICTION. After years of struggle, something helped to turn me around though. One of the crucial turning points was realising that life was not simply about being good and achieving some measure of success as the world preaches, living the comfortable life of self-centered ignorant bliss AND THAT'S IT! No, by God's grace I was awakened to my true place here on earth and how I fit in to this battle over souls.

That is why Satan tries so hard to corrupt us! He is really like a hungry lion waiting to devour (1 Peter 5 verse 8 - be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour). Satan knows that God has a special blueprint and purpose for each of our lives that is all part of His masterplan. Some of us are to become evangelists and churchworkers, some of us are to become business people who will provide funding for special projects some politicians with influence, others researchers or scientists who excel in their field and glorify God, some of us are to become famous for their talent like singers, entertainers and sports stars (know Jeremy Lin or Tom Tebow anyone?). But spend time with God daily, read His word and really learn to listen and obey His voice and He will lead you to fulfill your purpose here on earth.

Once I truly understood and believed that God had a very specific purpose for my life and the reality of spiritual warfare and the many tactics that the enemy uses (general and targeted tactics AS WELL AS ALL THE LIES BEHIND THEM) i began to be more alert and vigilant. I also learned the power of prayer. There is a reason it was included in the armour of God. Pray for forgiveness, pray for wisdom, pray for protection from the enemy, pray for each other (even all the people who are asking for help on this thread). Our prayers have a very real effect in the spiritual world so start praying on a daily level and even on a moment-by-moment level. The more time you spend connected to God the quicker you will overcome not just porn but the many traps the enemy has set over us. Also be encouraged because just as there are demons and devils trying to make you fall or keeping you from your purpose, there are angels that also look after you (Hebrews 1 verse 12-14) It can be very hard I know but you must also be vigilant and get out of the porn habit and into communion with God (the steps given by defender of the good side were very practical). May the Lord be with you!

Dude, You are a legit man. And there is a reason that sentence ends with a period. Lust is disease and it plagues every mans soul. It is not uncommon for you to feel these emotions and the remorse for your actions. This is testimony to what is good, and what good there is in your life. Saint Augustine wrote, "But if corruptions take away all measure, all form, all order from corruptible things, no nature will remain. And consequently every nature which cannot be corrupted is the highest good, as is God. But every nature that can be corrupted is also itself some god; for corruption cannot injure it, except by taking away from or diminishing that which is good....... What sort of punishment, and how great, is due to each fault, belongs to Divine judgment, not to human; which punishment assuredly whin it is remitted in the case of the converted, there is great goodness on the part of Go, and when it is deservedly inflicted, there is no injustice on the part of God; because nature is better ordered by justly smarting under punishment than by rejoicing with impunity in sin; which nature nevertheless, even thus having some measure, form and order, in whatever extremity there is as yet some good, which things, if they were absolutely taken away and utterly consumed, there will be accordingly no good, because no nature will remain." You are going into a field of study that will readily test and try your heart on every level. Most medical students have developed a hard and calloused look at death and all humanity. Not because they wanted to or because they are terrible, but because the medical field is a hard and emotionally stripping place to work. It is therefore good that you feel remorse for your sinful action. You said that you feel as though you are behaving wrongly in the eyes of god. I would say that you not only feel such but that you are wrong before God. But this is what Jesus Christ came to preach, that there is recovery of sight to the blind and that the lame walk, This reference is not only in relation to physical sight and walking but to spiritual sight and walking. In the eyes of God you are no more broken or a lier than any other human being. I too have struggled with my own sexual temptations and cravings. These desires are a great and Godly gift. But they are not to be spent in wasteful passion, or even outside of the covenant agreement of marriage. The bible is clear of this, and there are many reasons why it is good. I will not ask that you pick yourself up, for I can no more lift my body out of bed on a lazy morning than I can preform open heart surgery. But I do ask that you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and King that you believe his words, and treasure his commandments. Know that it is good for you to feel your remorse, for such remorse is the good in you that is from God opposing the evil that is of this world. If you want to get rid of your addiction, then Romans 10:9-10 on it and find out what God really thinks of you. He loves His people, and hates all who oppose him. You actions oppose him, but so does your very being, become new and your life will glorify Him. But such will never be of yourself and will never be given to you as your glory, but it is of the Father and He will rejoice in your rejoicing in Him. Its hard I know, and overwhelming. Check out 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, this verse is a quote from Paul an early father of the Christian Church. He was broken and remained so, he was in pain and remained as such, but God used him to shape the world. Be broken and glorify God. Or be proud and ignore Him, either way He has the last say.