Why A Relapse Becomes A Binge w/ Dr. Trish Leigh

Summary

Dr. Trish Leigh, a brain health and sex addiction recovery coach, explains the science behind why a relapse into watching porn can escalate into a binge. She describes the '4D Dopamine Cycle'—drip, deluge, drowning, and deficit—which illustrates the brain's dependency on high dopamine levels from porn, leading to cravings and urges. To combat this, Dr. Leigh suggests strategies like maintaining streaks, finding accountability, and engaging in exciting life activities to rewire the brain away from the addictive stimulus.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The brain craves high levels of dopamine from porn, which it has become accustomed to, leading to urges and cravings when trying to abstain.
• 🎯 Pornography is described as a 'super normal stimulus' that floods the brain with dopamine, creating a strong desire for its consumption.
• ⏱️ There's a critical '3-second window' to resist the initial dopamine trigger when the thought of watching porn arises, which can prevent a full relapse.
• 🌊 The 'dopamine deluge' refers to the overwhelming surge of dopamine that follows the decision to watch porn, intensifying the pleasure but also the addiction cycle.
• 🏊‍♂️ The 'dopamine drowning' stage signifies the brain's complete saturation with dopamine, setting the stage for a potential binge.
• 💧 The 'dopamine deficit' is the state of low dopamine levels after the binge, which can drive the individual to seek more stimulation to compensate.
• 🔁 The '4D dopamine cycle' (drip, deluge, drowning, deficit) is a cycle of addiction that can lead to a binge if not interrupted early.
• 🔄 The 'chaser effect' is the brain's increased desire for more dopamine after experiencing a high from porn, making it difficult to stop at just one session.
• 🚫 The script emphasizes the importance of avoiding the initial 'drip' of dopamine to prevent a full relapse and subsequent binge.
• 🤝 Accountability and support are crucial in maintaining streaks of abstinence from porn, suggesting the use of an accountability partner or group.
• 🎉 Celebrating small victories, like day-by-day or week-by-week streaks, can help reinforce the positive behavior of staying away from porn.
• 🎭 Engaging in exciting and fulfilling activities that naturally stimulate dopamine production can help rewire the brain away from porn addiction.

Q & A

What is the primary reason for cravings and urges when trying to abstain from watching porn according to Dr. Trish Leigh?

Dr. Trish Leigh explains that cravings and urges occur due to the brain's desire for high levels of dopamine, which it is accustomed to receiving from the supernormal stimulus of porn.

What is the term used to describe the effect of pornography on the brain in terms of dopamine release?

The term used is 'cardboard butterfly effect,' which signifies that pornography is a supernormal stimulus that floods the brain with dopamine.

What is the 4D dopamine cycle mentioned by Dr. Trish Leigh, and what does it consist of?

The 4D dopamine cycle consists of: 1) Dopamine Drip - the initial idea of watching porn triggers a small dopamine release, 2) Dopamine Deluge - a flood of dopamine when actually watching porn, 3) Dopamine Drowning - the brain becomes completely flooded with dopamine, and 4) Dopamine Deficit - a state of wanting to return to high dopamine levels after the binge.

Why does the brain want to go through the 4D cycle again after experiencing a dopamine deficit?

The brain inherently wants to go through the cycle again due to the dopamine deficit state, as it has become dependent on high levels of dopamine and seeks to return to that state.

What is the 'chaser effect' in the context of a relapse into watching porn?

The 'chaser effect' refers to the brain's desire for more and more dopamine after experiencing a high level of dopamine from a relapse, leading to a binge.

How does Dr. Trish Leigh describe the process of rewiring the brain to avoid cravings and urges?

Dr. Trish Leigh suggests that during the unwire process, one should actively rewire the brain to no longer have cravings and urges by engaging in activities that provide dopamine from real life, not from the screen.

What is the recommended strategy to avoid a relapse from becoming a binge according to the script?

The strategy includes staying on the streak by counting days or weeks, celebrating progress, getting an accountability partner, joining a supportive group, and running away from the initial dopamine drip to engage in other dopamine-boosting activities.

What role does dopamine play in the development of a dependency on porn, as explained by Dr. Trish Leigh?

Dopamine plays a crucial role in developing a dependency on porn by consistently flooding the brain with high levels of dopamine, leading to a need for these high levels to feel good or satisfied.

How does Dr. Trish Leigh define the difference between a normal stimulus and a supernormal stimulus in terms of dopamine release?

A normal stimulus, even one that is high like skydiving or boxing, releases dopamine but is still considered healthy. In contrast, a supernormal stimulus like pornography releases an excessive amount of dopamine, leading to a dependency.

What advice does Dr. Trish Leigh give to someone experiencing an urge to watch porn?

Dr. Trish Leigh advises to run in the opposite direction of the urge, trick the brain with an activity that naturally boosts dopamine, and seek support from an accountability partner or group to help resist the urge.

How does Dr. Trish Leigh emphasize the importance of staying on the streak of not watching porn?

She emphasizes the importance by highlighting the potential regret one might feel after a binge and the difficulty of breaking the 4D cycle once it has started, urging individuals to stay committed to their streak.