Porn, like cocaine or alcohol, are hyper-stimulating triggers that lead to an unnaturally high amount of dopamine secretion. Repetitive secretion of dopamine damages the reward system and leaves it unresponsive when there’s something real to be happy about. It’s like when you set up a reward system for studying. You get to eat a cookie every time you complete a chapter. But if you can’t control yourself and finish the entire jar of cookies before you’ve even started, you have ruined the reward system, and are no longer motivated to study. This is the same reason why people addicted to porn find it so challenging to achieve arousal when they’re with a partner. The desensitization of the reward system sets the stage for sexual dysfunctions to develop, further facilitating depression and anxiety. What’s worse is, they can’t stop.
Be Inspired (YouTube Channel)
For more, see PORN: The Digital Cocaine (w/ Jordan Peterson & Andrew Huberman) (Be Inspired).
