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113 reviews for:
Your Brain On Porn: Internet Pornography and the Emerging Science of Addiction
Gary Wilson, Anthony Jack
3.99 AVERAGE
113 reviews for:
Your Brain On Porn: Internet Pornography and the Emerging Science of Addiction
Gary Wilson, Anthony Jack
3.99 AVERAGE
A well-written and convincing account of the dangers of porn use, written by someone who has been heavily involved in online forums designed to help men quit porn. It includes a lot of science, particularly in neurochemistry and studies on pornography use, and lots of quotes from the online forums he's been involved in. It seems like the author has a very realistic grip on the issue, so to say, by the thousands upon thousands of self-reports of men online together with the science. It's a really great compilation of advice and concepts useful for knowing how to, and getting motivation for quitting.
While I agree with the author on almost all points, and I especially support the idea that internet porn is extremely addictive and destructive, still, I don't share the author's view that internet porn is somehow qualitatively different than any other, say "masturbatory material" for lack of a better term.
Wilson has been involved in this community for so long that "internet porn" has become the devil, and is associated with all things bad. For example, sexual fantasy is fine, but fantasizing about a porn scenario is problematic. It begs the question ... what exactly is "porn," or rather, what is fine to masturbate to, fantasize about, or visually consume for the dopamines.
Toward the end, there was a brief discussion about a distinction between "good porn" and "bad porn," which I'm not entirely enthusiastic about. Wilson doesn't flat-out deny there's "good porn," but he warns that it's too easy to slip into "bad porn" by using "good porn."
He dismisses the discussion pretty quickly by saying that "the difference between good porn and bad porn is beyond the realm of science and can never resolve," he continues, "Let us steer away from unscientific distractions and back on to the hard science."
So, whatever cannot be scientifically proven is merely an unhelpful distraction. The author shows a complete lack of interest in philosophy and feels the only things worth discussing are those things that can be scientifically backed. The issue, however, is that while some things might be difficult for a scientific experiment, they are worth discussing because a clearer view of where to draw the line does have a positive effect on men's lives.
Again, I agree that internet video porn is uniquely harmful - it's not clear to me how an "old-fashioned magazine," which the author says might be "good porn," is qualitatively different. While yes, Playboy magazines back in the day did not create a plethora of men with social anxiety, lack of interest in dating, and sexual & erectile dysfunction, I still cannot agree that "internet porn" is the root of the problem here. As the author writes, porn addiction becomes more about the porn than any sexual satisfaction or relief, and I supposed what he wants is to get men unhooked off porn, and learn how to have healthy masturbatory habits.
In response to men who view porn as an "edge" to it, but don't ejaculate, Wilson writes that it's the porn that's the primary issue, and ejaculation is secondary.
In other words, he thinks it's fine to masturbate and ejaculate to a Playboy magazine or sexual fantasy (which is not a "porn scenario" of course), but simply viewing porn is inherently harmful. I suppose you can say the author and I come from two different perspectives here because I think both masturbation and pornography are essentially inseparable - and the goal is to make men as virile as possible, and merely quitting hardcore internet porn is selling yourself short. It's like quitting the most dangerous obvious poison and calling it a day, satisfied with using milder forms of the poison. And then where the line between acceptable dosage of poison is irrelevant because it's hard to decipher scientifically.
On that note, it is interesting to see that reframing porn addiction in biological terms does seem to be helpful. While the pictures of neurons showing neuroplasticity and the dopamine system are, well, somewhat of an artificial understanding, it does seem to work, somehow. I suppose it is because of the strength of faith we have in science, and its reputation for being the "unwavering truth." There's something to the idea of hearing about neurotransmitters with names, particular genes with names, and chemicals and dopamine, etc etc... that gives us some sort of common humanity, security, and not the least, a sort of neutrality of morality. It's no longer about religious shaming or demons, but rather, having your neurochemistry, your ancient, primal, evolutionary psychology your reward circuits, which otherwise is meant for survival, hijacked and taken advantage of, by modern technology.
It's a good perspective, but I don't think we should throw away moralism, or the understanding of spirits and demons, as I think that language is perfectly compatible with biological language.
The confidence and security of the biological understanding can be pushed a bit far ... for example when Wilson tried to explain why doing forbidden things is unnaturally arousing, by saying that "Dopamin urged our ancestors to risk embarking for new territories and avoid inbreeding." Did we evolve to prefer taking risks and novelty, because that leads to less inbreeding? I think this is a typical overplay of the "use biology [evolutionary psychology] to explain everything," to sound more convincing and authoritative.
While I agree with the author on almost all points, and I especially support the idea that internet porn is extremely addictive and destructive, still, I don't share the author's view that internet porn is somehow qualitatively different than any other, say "masturbatory material" for lack of a better term.
Wilson has been involved in this community for so long that "internet porn" has become the devil, and is associated with all things bad. For example, sexual fantasy is fine, but fantasizing about a porn scenario is problematic. It begs the question ... what exactly is "porn," or rather, what is fine to masturbate to, fantasize about, or visually consume for the dopamines.
Toward the end, there was a brief discussion about a distinction between "good porn" and "bad porn," which I'm not entirely enthusiastic about. Wilson doesn't flat-out deny there's "good porn," but he warns that it's too easy to slip into "bad porn" by using "good porn."
He dismisses the discussion pretty quickly by saying that "the difference between good porn and bad porn is beyond the realm of science and can never resolve," he continues, "Let us steer away from unscientific distractions and back on to the hard science."
So, whatever cannot be scientifically proven is merely an unhelpful distraction. The author shows a complete lack of interest in philosophy and feels the only things worth discussing are those things that can be scientifically backed. The issue, however, is that while some things might be difficult for a scientific experiment, they are worth discussing because a clearer view of where to draw the line does have a positive effect on men's lives.
Again, I agree that internet video porn is uniquely harmful - it's not clear to me how an "old-fashioned magazine," which the author says might be "good porn," is qualitatively different. While yes, Playboy magazines back in the day did not create a plethora of men with social anxiety, lack of interest in dating, and sexual & erectile dysfunction, I still cannot agree that "internet porn" is the root of the problem here. As the author writes, porn addiction becomes more about the porn than any sexual satisfaction or relief, and I supposed what he wants is to get men unhooked off porn, and learn how to have healthy masturbatory habits.
In response to men who view porn as an "edge" to it, but don't ejaculate, Wilson writes that it's the porn that's the primary issue, and ejaculation is secondary.
In other words, he thinks it's fine to masturbate and ejaculate to a Playboy magazine or sexual fantasy (which is not a "porn scenario" of course), but simply viewing porn is inherently harmful. I suppose you can say the author and I come from two different perspectives here because I think both masturbation and pornography are essentially inseparable - and the goal is to make men as virile as possible, and merely quitting hardcore internet porn is selling yourself short. It's like quitting the most dangerous obvious poison and calling it a day, satisfied with using milder forms of the poison. And then where the line between acceptable dosage of poison is irrelevant because it's hard to decipher scientifically.
On that note, it is interesting to see that reframing porn addiction in biological terms does seem to be helpful. While the pictures of neurons showing neuroplasticity and the dopamine system are, well, somewhat of an artificial understanding, it does seem to work, somehow. I suppose it is because of the strength of faith we have in science, and its reputation for being the "unwavering truth." There's something to the idea of hearing about neurotransmitters with names, particular genes with names, and chemicals and dopamine, etc etc... that gives us some sort of common humanity, security, and not the least, a sort of neutrality of morality. It's no longer about religious shaming or demons, but rather, having your neurochemistry, your ancient, primal, evolutionary psychology your reward circuits, which otherwise is meant for survival, hijacked and taken advantage of, by modern technology.
It's a good perspective, but I don't think we should throw away moralism, or the understanding of spirits and demons, as I think that language is perfectly compatible with biological language.
The confidence and security of the biological understanding can be pushed a bit far ... for example when Wilson tried to explain why doing forbidden things is unnaturally arousing, by saying that "Dopamin urged our ancestors to risk embarking for new territories and avoid inbreeding." Did we evolve to prefer taking risks and novelty, because that leads to less inbreeding? I think this is a typical overplay of the "use biology [evolutionary psychology] to explain everything," to sound more convincing and authoritative.
Who would have thought absolutely demolishing your reward center could have such negative side effects
informative
fast-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
We are what we repeatedly do.
- Aristotle
Elephant in the room:
So should you be a porn addict to read this book?
No, at least not in my opinion. This book is very important and beneficial for anyone who is dealing with any kind of addictive behavior (for me, it's probably the internet and especially social media). It analyzes the brain structure when it comes to addiction, how the craving works and why it happens, how it affects our daily life and ultimately what can be done. Gary Wilson has done his research and has done it very thoroughly. It covers some notable subjects such as addiction, cyberworld, sex, etc.
Are you saying this is one of those messed-up books, trying to talk about everything?
Fortunately, not. The author tries his best to stay focused so it's still about porn addiction and everything related to that but at the same time, I could learn other stuff in its well-developed context.
Is this book trying to convince you that porn is bad because it's a sexual taboo?
Absolutely not. I actually heard this question when I was talking about this book with a friend and she assumed that it was going to be about sexual abstinence and she couldn't be more wrong. There are some interesting pieces of diary in this book from people who have/are dealing with pornography addiction and you cannot find a more reliable resource that a person who has gone through the same problem. They openly (and anonymously) discuss every single effect that this new-born-addiction has had on their life (whether mentally, physically, sexually or even socially) and then they describe how those things have changed for so much better after their not-quite-easy withdrawal. The author really tries to be nonjudgemental and he manages to stay that way, the whole time. There are still many people out there who don't consider porn-addiction as serious as, let's say, drug addiction but:
"Whenever something becomes the norm, there's an unexamined assumption that it must be harmless or 'normal', that is, that it cannot produce abnormal physiological results. However, that proved not to be the case with smoking. And, just as with smoking, causality studies cannot be done."
But it's safe to say that no matter how you think of porn, this book is able to help you understand how your mind can get influenced by a simulation that triggers one of your most natural human drives.
Why not 5 stars, then?
It can get a little repetitive, at least in the latter parts. It's not that annoying, really, I'd still highly recommend this book to almost everyone who is interested. It was certainly a valuable experience.
- Aristotle
Elephant in the room:
So should you be a porn addict to read this book?
No, at least not in my opinion. This book is very important and beneficial for anyone who is dealing with any kind of addictive behavior (for me, it's probably the internet and especially social media). It analyzes the brain structure when it comes to addiction, how the craving works and why it happens, how it affects our daily life and ultimately what can be done. Gary Wilson has done his research and has done it very thoroughly. It covers some notable subjects such as addiction, cyberworld, sex, etc.
Are you saying this is one of those messed-up books, trying to talk about everything?
Fortunately, not. The author tries his best to stay focused so it's still about porn addiction and everything related to that but at the same time, I could learn other stuff in its well-developed context.
Is this book trying to convince you that porn is bad because it's a sexual taboo?
Absolutely not. I actually heard this question when I was talking about this book with a friend and she assumed that it was going to be about sexual abstinence and she couldn't be more wrong. There are some interesting pieces of diary in this book from people who have/are dealing with pornography addiction and you cannot find a more reliable resource that a person who has gone through the same problem. They openly (and anonymously) discuss every single effect that this new-born-addiction has had on their life (whether mentally, physically, sexually or even socially) and then they describe how those things have changed for so much better after their not-quite-easy withdrawal. The author really tries to be nonjudgemental and he manages to stay that way, the whole time. There are still many people out there who don't consider porn-addiction as serious as, let's say, drug addiction but:
"Whenever something becomes the norm, there's an unexamined assumption that it must be harmless or 'normal', that is, that it cannot produce abnormal physiological results. However, that proved not to be the case with smoking. And, just as with smoking, causality studies cannot be done."
But it's safe to say that no matter how you think of porn, this book is able to help you understand how your mind can get influenced by a simulation that triggers one of your most natural human drives.
Why not 5 stars, then?
It can get a little repetitive, at least in the latter parts. It's not that annoying, really, I'd still highly recommend this book to almost everyone who is interested. It was certainly a valuable experience.
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Itبا تبلیغات میشه هر دروغی رو راست و هر راستی رو دروغ نشون داد
یه نمونه خوبش همین پورن
که با یکم تفکر عمیق میشه فهمید که جزو کثیف ترین کارهاست
ولی الان مردم خیلیاشون دید بدی بهش ندارن
من تقصیرو میندازم گردن کم شدن خودآگاهی جامعه
باهاش جک میسازن
در موردش حرف میزنن
استانداردهای خودشو داره
ولی کو کسی که به طور علنی نفرتشو نسبت بهش ابراز کنه
کتاب ساختار خوبی داره ولی بهتر هم میتونست باشه
از نظرات مردم بیشتر استفاده شده تا مقالات علمی
تجارب ادمایی که با این اعتیاد جدید ضعیف و حقیر شدن
مقاله هایی که استفاده کرده هم بدک نیست ولی کتاب از کمبود چارچوب مناسب رنج میبره
در کل تاثیر خوبی روی خواننده میذاره و خوندنشو به دوستای نیازمند توصیه میکنم
یه نمونه خوبش همین پورن
که با یکم تفکر عمیق میشه فهمید که جزو کثیف ترین کارهاست
ولی الان مردم خیلیاشون دید بدی بهش ندارن
من تقصیرو میندازم گردن کم شدن خودآگاهی جامعه
باهاش جک میسازن
در موردش حرف میزنن
استانداردهای خودشو داره
ولی کو کسی که به طور علنی نفرتشو نسبت بهش ابراز کنه
کتاب ساختار خوبی داره ولی بهتر هم میتونست باشه
از نظرات مردم بیشتر استفاده شده تا مقالات علمی
تجارب ادمایی که با این اعتیاد جدید ضعیف و حقیر شدن
مقاله هایی که استفاده کرده هم بدک نیست ولی کتاب از کمبود چارچوب مناسب رنج میبره
در کل تاثیر خوبی روی خواننده میذاره و خوندنشو به دوستای نیازمند توصیه میکنم