The Porn Trap
Based in part on the book by Wendy and Larry Maltz, LCSWs
Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC
Executive Director, AllCEUs Education
Host: Counselor Toolbox Podcast
CEUs are available for this presentation as part of the Sex and Pornography Addiction Recovery Coaching Certificate Track https://www.allceus.com/member/cart?c=42 or as an individual 2 hour class at https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/999/c/
Want to listen to it as a podcast instead? Subscribe to Counselor Toolbox Podcast
Objectives
~ Explore the hidden power of porn
~ Identify the characteristic relationships with porn
~ Review the consequences of porn
~ Review the impact of porn on partners
~ Identify 6 action steps to quit porn
~ Learn about handling and preventing relapses
~ Identify strategies for healing as a couple
Effects of Porn on the Brain
~ Dopamine is the main motivation chemical
~ Dopamine is all about seeking and searching for rewards, the anticipation, the wanting.
~ Dopamine surges for novelty
~ Dopamine provides the motivation and drive to pursue potential rewards or long term goals
~ Endogenous opioids are the main reward chemical.
~ Naltrexone has been found effective for blocking the endogenous opioids and reducing the reward https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18241634
~ Stimulates testosterone
Effects of Porn on the Brain
~ The adolescent brain has an:
~ immature prefrontal cortex
~ over-responsive limbic circuits
~ overactive dopamine system
~ a pronounced HPA axis
~ augmented levels of testosterone
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30754014
Hidden Power of Porn
~ The Coolidge Effect
~ Tiring of one partner/stimulus, but having a powerful automatic response to novelty
~ The brain does not differentiate (very much) between 2-D and 3-D partners
~ The desire and motivation to pursue sex arises largely from a neurochemical called dopamine which compels you to do things that further your survival and pass on your genes
~ Sexual stimulation offers the biggest natural blast of dopamine available to your reward circuitry
~ Porn can give people the illusion of power and control
~ Variable ratio schedule of reward
~ Dopamine is released for:
~ Seeking and searching for novelty, food, sex, safety
~ Novel stimuli (i.e. internet porn)
~ Anything that violates expectations – shock, surprise, or more than we could have imagined
~ Strong emotions – such as desire, guilt, disgust, embarrassment, anxiety & fear https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0017047
~ Strong emotions elevate dopamine and boost norepinephrine, and cortisol. This increases excitement while amplifying dopamine’s effects.
~ Over time a porn user’s brain can mistake feelings of anxiety or fear for feelings of sexual arousal
~ Internet porn can alter brain circuitry for sexuality– especially during adolescence when the brain is highly malleable and programed to learn all about sex.
~ Video porn is far more arousing than static porn because it involves more senses and is more “life-like”.
~ To increase sexual arousal (and raise declining dopamine) one can instantly switch genres
~ Porn videos replace your imagination, and may shape your sexual tastes, behavior, or trajectory (especially so for adolescents).
~ Porn is stored in your brain, which allows you to recall it anytime you need a “hit.”
~ Unlike food and drugs, for which there is a limit to consumption, there are no physical limitations to internet porn consumption. The brain’s natural satiation mechanisms are not activated, unless one