GTHM PORN INFORMATION
"To give light to those who sit in darkness..." Luke 1:79aMillions Of Americans That Regularly Visit Porn Sites
Billions Of Pornographic Emails Sent Daily
Billions Of Dollars Spent on Pornography in U.S. Every Year
Billions Of Dollars Spent On CHILD Pornography Every Year (Worldwide)
Porn consumption in America has reached epidemic proportions and GTHM recognizes the addictive and destructive nature of pornography.
In response, we have compiled a list of frequently asked porn information questions to help educate people of all ages about the addictive nature of porn, the science behind porn consumption, the destructive patterns of porn and how it literally rewires the human brain.
In addition, GTHM offers porn addiction help not only through our Science Behind Porn Seminar but also by providing various internet accountability software suggestions. If cost is an issue, we even have a suggestion for a free accountability software option, please visit our Porn Resources page.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT INTERNET PORNOGRAPHY THAT IS SO ADDICTING?
There are very specific brain chemicals (i.e. Dopamine) associated with pornography consumption. Unfortunately, these are the same brain chemicals associated with drug addiction:
1. When viewing pornography, large amounts of dopamine, and other natural brain chemicals are released in the brain upon seeing an image. This gives you a super ‘high’ because it overloads the pleasure center of the brain with dopamine.
2. The body can build up a tolerance to images so you need harder-core images, more variety, and increased frequency to get the same rush.
3. Because you have overloaded the pleasure center so many times, the body has begun to accept this as normal and needs that level of dopamine to function. This results in feeling a craving for pornography. This feeling becomes so strong and intense you cannot resist the impulse to satisfy the demand for the craving. So… you fall victim to porn addiction.
4. If you ARE able to resist for a while, you suffer withdrawal symptoms very similar to that of having a drug addiction. It makes it very hard not to continue viewing pornography.
WHAT DOES HEALTHY SEXUALITY LOOK LIKE?
We at GTHM believe that healthy sexual activity involves saving all your sexual activity for marriage. In addition, it involves no “solo sex” (masturbation) and no “artificial” sexual stimulation. By artificial, we mean: pixels, audio and literature. If it’s not real life (or your wife!)–just say no. Is this hard to do? Sure is. Is it possible? Sure is. Is it worth it? DEFINITELY.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS (OR CONSEQUENCES) OF EXCESSIVE PORN USE? ISN’T IT HARMLESS?
Porn is NOT harmless! There are many destructive consequences of pornography usage:
- Copulatory impotence (this is when there’s an erection for pornography but not with human partners)
- Growing erectile dysfunction even with extreme (or deviant) pornography
- Porn tastes that don’t match sexual orientation
- Erectile dysfunction due to excessive pornography usage
WHAT ARE THE STEPS NEEDED TO RECOVER FROM PORNOGRAPHY ADDICTION?
Overcoming pornography addiction is a serious battle. Here are some tips:
- Understand the science behind porn consumption; how porn has affected your brain and why you need to rewire your brain in order to return your reward circuitry (dopamine) to normal sensitivity
- Understand “rebooting” and what it entails
- Tame your computer, phone and other devices with internet accountability software
- Replace your porn usage with naturally rewarding activities
- Seek support and Christian counseling
WHAT ARE SOME ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO HELP ME OVERCOME MY PORN ADDICTION?
FIGHT THE NEW DRUG
This organization is committed to explaining the truth about pornography. It offers great resources, particularly how science is now revealing that pornography has addictive qualities similar to drugs. They explain how it is clear that the prevalence and frequency of its use (due to the new surges of technology in our society) by individuals in our era is unprecedented and unmatched in human history.
YOUR BRAIN ON PORN
This SECULAR site focuses on porn’s effects on the brain—male or female. They believe that since porn has been predominantly a male challenge (and the self-reports are overwhelmingly from men), their site has a definite male slant. However, addiction is addiction, and more females are starting to report Internet porn problems. (This is a great SECULAR resource that addresses treatment options for Erectile Dysfunction Due To Excess Porn Use.)
XXX CHURCH
This awesome Christian organization supports awareness, openness, accountability, and recovery to the church, society, and individuals in the issues of pornography. They have been offering free pornography addiction help to those who need it for many years. They do this through blogs, videos, and other resources. (They also offer great internet filter protection software!)
SETTING CAPTIVES FREE
Every day this organization helps people just like you find freedom from habitual sins and learn to grow in grace. Their Christ-centered courses are FREE of charge and help people just like you escape impurity. The Way of Purity course is a 60-Day interactive course that will teach you to enjoy a new found relationship with the Lord and how to find freedom from sexual impurity. It is possible, and you can learn how.
Porn Fact Sources and Statistical Sources:
www.fighthenewdrug.org/porn-changes-the-brain/
www.fighthenewdrug.org/porn-is-like-a-drug/
www.fighthenewdrug.org/porn-addiction-escalates/
http://yourbrainonporn.com/brain-structure-and-functional-connectivity-associated-pornography-consumption-2014
http://yourbrainonporn.com/node/79 (Rebooting)
http://yourbrainonporn.com/erectile-dysfunction-question (Erectile Dysfunction Info)
http://toptenreviews.com/2-6-04.html (Child porn stats)
