Mark Allen Laing
Marriage and Family, Mood Disorders, Male Issues
905-319-1488 ext. 227
email: thelaings@sympatico.ca

Pornography: Men Who Crave
What is an Addiction?

It would be so much easier if we could reduce a pornography addiction to just a physiological process, but the truth is that the problem is not that simplistic. Many factors impact pornography addictions such as psychological, social and emotional to name just a few. Essentially, when one is looking at an addiction, they are often looking at a mood disorder. The addiction becomes a way of self-medicating in an effort to " feel " better. For some, they choose alcohol, others it is drugs or gambling or shopping. Pornography is just another choice in the list of ways to self-medicate.

It is important to understand that not only does our neurology play a part in addiction but equally important to recognize that we "live out impulses of the spirit and mind through the body." ( Dr. Richard Serbin. Pornography as an Addiction )

Our brain is an intricate mechanism that is serviced by over 300 different neurochemicals. To date only 20% of these neurochemicals have been studied. These brain substances are what help convey messages and impulses to and from the brain to appropriate parts of the body.

Today we know that for a substance to become "addictive" it must mimic the action of some naturally occurring neurochemical. In other words an addictive behavior must trick the body into believing it is receiving some benefit. An example might be diet pop. Psychologists have learned that when someone drinks a diet pop, their body is receiving the energy benefit from the sugar in the pop. However, the sugar in the pop is not real and when the body realizes this, it craves sugar all that much more which defeats the purpose of a diet!

We also know that one can alter their mood by engaging in activities that can boost the action of their own brain chemicals. It is this process that is most particular to pornography addictions.

Within our brain is an area called the "limbic system." It is in this area that we find control of issues such as thirst, sexuality, hunger, nurturing and safety. The limbic system includes a special system known as the brain reward system. The neurochemical   dopamine carries the reward sensations of this system. Dopamine can eventually be released by the mere anticipation of engaging in a behavior. With pornography, it has been paired with masturbation and orgasm, which reinforces the reward system, which is part of the limbic system. Again, if you remember, the limbic system is instrumental to our sexuality. Therefore arousal of the limbic system is boosted by the images of pornography. Adrenaline (another neurochemical) helps the establishing of this reward system as well.

Dopamine helps us attain feelings of bliss and pleasure in pornography and adrenaline helps us attain the excitatory feelings along with sexual arousal and happiness. Adrenaline works like an anti-depressant. Hence the idea that when one is looking at an addiction, they are also likely looking at a mood disorder. The rise in adrenaline acts as a way of self-medication.

Tolerance becomes the bottomless pit for the addicted person. By this, I am referring to the fact that as the body becomes accustomed to pornography viewing, it begins to crave more and more of it. This may include viewing more provocative pictures that can lead to viewing some very perverse, and highly unnatural images, all in an attempt to attain a better mood.

Pornography can promote the release of neurochemicals that create a momentary state of bliss but the cycle is often followed by feelings of shame which work quickly to remove the benefits of pornographic arousal. Next time we will look more at the impact of pornography on one's psychological being. Should you wish help or to ask questions, feel free to contact me at the Bayridge Family Center in Burlington Ontario at 905-319-1488 or by email at mlaing@bayridgefamilycenter.com. Phone counseling available.

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Mark Laing is an individual and family therapist at the
Bayridge Family Centre in Burlington Ontario, Canada.
He appears every Thursday on the 100 Huntley St. TV program
commenting on Family Matters. You can see the programs at www.crossroads.ca