What Happens When You Quit Porn?

Summary

A recent survey reveals 82% of women and 100% of men aged 15-29 view porn, with consumption soaring due to mobile accessibility. The video explores the brain's physical changes when quitting porn, including increased anxiety and dopamine level alterations. It highlights how 'problematic porn use' (PPU) affects 6% of viewers, leading to a struggle with delayed gratification and concentration. The script also addresses the need for mindful approaches and the importance of understanding porn's impact on our brains without judgment.

Takeaways

• 📈 In 2019, Pornhub reported 115 million daily visits, and a survey found 82% of women and 100% of men aged 15 to 29 viewed porn, with usage increasing due to easy smartphone access.
• 🧠 Studies on the neurophysiology of problematic porn use (PPU) show that it can change the brain, especially in people who feel porn negatively affects their life, regardless of how much they consume.
• ⚡ Day 2 of quitting porn is when most people with PPU experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and increased cravings due to changes in brain chemistry.
• 🔄 Porn affects the brain’s reward system and neuroplasticity, particularly the ventral striatum, which is linked to dopamine—a neurotransmitter involved in cravings, novelty, and survival behavior.
• 😟 People with PPU often experience heightened anxiety, and while they use porn to alleviate it, many report that it doesn't provide lasting relief.
• 🧲 Porn acts as a ‘supernormal stimulus,’ amplifying sexual stimuli beyond real-life experiences, which can make it more compelling than natural sexual interactions or other rewards.
• 🚫 Most people who try to quit porn relapse within 4 to 7 days, largely driven by anxiety and the brain's dopamine response.
• ⏳ After 14 days without porn, people report better focus and delayed gratification, and porn begins to feel more novel and intense again.
• 🔍 After 30 days, improvements in concentration and mental clarity are often noticed, and abstaining from porn for three months can reverse brain changes associated with PPU.
• 💡 While studies offer insights into the neurological impact of porn use, the field has been criticized for underlying biases, such as homophobia or queerphobia, which complicates the findings.

Q & A

What percentage of men and women aged 15 to 29 have watched porn, according to the survey?

According to the survey, 100% of men and 82% of women aged 15 to 29 have watched porn.

How has the accessibility of porn changed over recent years?

Porn consumption has increased rapidly due to easy access on phones, compared to the early 90s when people relied on static images in magazines.

What happens on day two of quitting porn, especially for those with problematic porn use (PPU)?

On day two, people with PPU reported increased anxiety, inability to sleep, trouble concentrating, and heightened cravings for porn. This is due to physiological changes in the brain.

What part of the brain is affected by problematic porn use, and how does it change?

Problematic porn use affects the ventral striatum, a brain region linked to wanting and dopamine release. Watching porn can physically change this area due to neuroplasticity.

How does dopamine influence porn consumption?

Dopamine is linked to cravings for survival-related stimuli like food, love, and sex. Watching porn can lead to prolonged high dopamine levels, which may result in physical changes in the brain.

Why is it difficult for many people to last more than 4 to 7 days without watching porn?

A major reason is anxiety. People with PPU often experience higher levels of anxiety and use porn to alleviate it, even though it might not help in the long term.

What is the concept of a 'supernormal stimulus,' and how does it relate to porn consumption?

A supernormal stimulus is an exaggerated version of normal stimuli that becomes more compelling than the real thing. In the case of porn, enhanced and novel sexual situations can be more appealing than real-life experiences.

What changes occur in the brain after 30 days of quitting porn?

After 30 days, people report improved concentration and clearer thoughts. They also become better at delaying gratification, indicating cognitive improvements.

What recommendations are offered for quitting porn use?

Suggestions include mindfulness, meditation, replacing porn with other novel experiences, and even trying masturbation without porn. It's important to explore what works best for the individual.

How have societal attitudes toward porn studies influenced research on the subject?

Some studies are rooted in homophobia, transphobia, and queerphobia, often labeling certain types of porn as 'non-normal' before exploring the science. This bias can skew the research and its interpretation.