About this episode

Dr. Trish Leigh discusses the neuroscience behind porn addiction and its effects on the brain and relationships.

I sit down with Dr. Trish Leigh, a cognitive neuroscientist and neurofeedback clinician, to unpack what pornography and screen compulsions can do to the brain, from dopamine dependency and hypersexuality to sexual dysfunction and impaired self-regulation. We explore why so many men struggle to break the habit, how pornography can become a tool for managing stress and boredom, and why simply trying to quit often isn't enough. Dr. Leigh explains how the brain can be rewired through repetition, healthier sources of dopamine, intentional routines, and what she calls the “instant rewire.” We also talk about shame, relationships, parenting, ADHD symptoms, and how rebuilding a healthier brain can help men create the life and relationships they actually want. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:01 - What Happens in the Brain Before You Open Porn 02:49 - Dopamine and the Screen Compulsion Loop 04:32 - Dopamine, Testosterone, and the Brain 06:11 - Porn-Induced Erectile Dysfunction 07:09 - How Porn Changes Sexual Arousal 09:04 - Novelty, Intensity, and Hypersexuality 12:25 - Why Men Use Porn for Stress and Boredom 15:16 - Rewiring the Brain Through Dopamine Stacking 17:21 - High Libido vs. Hypersexuality…

People in this episode

Host: Connor Beaton

Guest: Dr. Trish Leigh

Topics covered

• porn addiction
• neuroscience
• dopamine
• hypersexuality
• sexual dysfunction
• self-regulation

Keywords

• pornography
• dopamine dependency
• sexual arousal
• rewiring the brain
• neuroplasticity
• stress management

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ADHD

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