Dopamine is a natural part of your brain’s daily function. Many people think of it as the “happy chemical” but it actually has a very complex relationship to mood, behavior, and overall brain function. It might surprise you to learn that dopamine can be harmful in excess doses, leading to destructive behavior and relationship challenges. One area in which men may have a complex relationship with dopamine is pornography. Here’s what to know about this relationship and how you can improve it for better health, both physically and mentally.
What is Dopamine?
Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter in our brains that is essential to life. When dopamine is released, it binds to receptors on brain cells, triggering a series of reactions and increased brain activity. This release of dopamine creates a feeling of pleasure and motivation, leading us to seek activities that trigger even more dopamine release. The dopamine rush can also cause physical symptoms such as elevated heart and breathing rates. These sensations are why we often feel energized after completing tasks or achieving goals; it’s our body’s way of telling us that we’ve done something right.
Can You Have Too Much Dopamine?
We need this natural reward system to learn from experiences, find pleasure when appropriate, and motivate ourselves toward achieving goals. However, there can be too much of a good thing. High dopamine levels can lead to restlessness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, impulsive behavior, irritability, or aggression. In extreme cases, it may even increase the risk of addiction as people seek out potentially harmful activities or substances that trigger a surge in dopamine, such as gambling, shopping, drugs, sex, or food.
Pornography and Dopamine
Pornography is a source of potentially unhealthy dopamine surges. The internet, computers, and cell phones have made porn widely available and easily accessible, even to young children. Watching porn can be highly addictive and have a negative impact on young men, especially when it comes to their brain chemistry and circuitry. Frequent viewing of porn causes the brain to become accustomed to the flood of dopamine and other pleasure-inducing chemicals, leading to tolerance and a need for greater stimulation to achieve the same level of pleasure.
Viewing pornography frequently can alter the brain’s reward system and can be damaging to both individuals and relationships. Often overlooked due to assumptions about testosterone levels or age-related changes, regularly watching pornography can result in decreased libido and an inability to become aroused or remain aroused during intimate moments with a partner. It can also lead to a decrease in the quality and quantity of communication with a partner, making it difficult to build a strong connection.
Men can become desensitized to regular pornography over time and must escalate their porn use to more extreme or taboo genres to boost their dopamine levels. In addition, pornography can normalize behaviors and attitudes that are not healthy and can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety. People who frequently view pornography may also develop unrealistic expectations of their partner’s behavior and physical appearance.
How to Reduce Pornography Use
For some men, it can be extremely difficult to reduce or stop using porn. However, with the right support and tools, men can work towards being free from porn. Men can regain their mental health by developing healthy habits, including:
- regular physical activity
- talking to trusted friends or family members about the issue
- setting specific goals for abstaining from pornography
- talking to a therapist or other mental health provider