"The structure of the brain is exquisitely sensitive to experience.

Nature has been very clever indeed, endowing us with machinery not only so fantastic that it can organize itself but also so supple that it can refine and retune itself every day of our lives.(9) This quote reflects one of the most dramatic and historic realizations in current social science. We have always known that childrens brains change constantly as they develop, and the assumption was that adult brains became set and fixed in a particular way that was stable for the rest of ones life. Recently, however, neuroscientists have been surprised to discover the degree to which adult brains change over time, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity (with plastic expressing the idea malleability). For instance, recent studies have shown that when individuals learn a language, their neural networks expand(10) when they start a meditation routine, their brain pathways adjust(8) and when individuals are abused, neural pathways are similarly altered. (11) If learning new languages or peaceful moments of meditation change the brain, what about even more intense or stimulating activities? In what way might watching something on a television or computer screen shape the brain? In 1985, far before recent revelations of neuroplasticity, the American Psychological Association reviewed the literature on television violence and issued a formal policy statement, the conclusion drawn on the basis of 25 years of research and a sizable number of experimental and field investigations (NIMH, 1972, 1982) is that viewing televised violence may lead to increases in aggressive attitudes, values, and behavior, particularly in children. (APA Policy Statement on television violence, 1985) Now that the scientific community has realized both the malleability of adult brains and the lasting effects of certain kinds of media, there is a pressing need to explore the same dynamics in other areas. The purpose of this essay is to examine this in the context of sexually explicit mediai.e., pornography. Drawing on what is now known about the brain and media, in what follows, we detail in as clear and simple a way as possible, the evidence for how pornography can change the brain, step by step. The brain is the most complex organ in the human body, with billions of nerve cells that transmit electrical information from one part of our bodies to another. While we have long known that every thought, action, memory, feeling, and experience we have is influenced by our brain, we are now understanding the reverse is also true: literally every experience we have alters neuronal connections in our brains. In this way, memories are stored, habits are learned, and personalities are shaped. As with any experience, the pathways of communication between particular neurons and networks of neurons in the brain are either strengthened by repeated exposure to experiences, or weakened as time passes. Similar to water running down a mountainside; the pathway that the water travels most often will become most defined, even becoming deep ravines in a hillside. In contrast, the areas where water runs less frequently will leave only subtle pathways and river beds, which are more easily lost to the passing of time. If actions inevitably shape our brain, what prompts anyone to choose an activity that will galvanize habits destructive to happy and healthy relationships? Found within our midbrain is an area that plays an important role in our experiences of pleasure, the VTA (ventral tegmental area). In order for a species to survive, they must carry out specific activities essential for their survival, including eating and reproduction. To assist us in carrying out this responsibility our brains are developed in such a way that we receive a pleasurable sensation or reward when we carry out these vital functions. When we eat or have sex the VTA is stimulated and releases a natural chemical which aids in the transfer of information between neurons called dopamine.(6) When dealing with many forms of addiction, a common pathway of stimulation is seen between the VTA and the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc). This common route of communication, known as the VTANAc pathway, has been shown to play an important role in the use of all drugs of abuse and natural addictions such as, pathological gambling, overeating, and sexual addictions.(12) In each case, the pleasurable dopamine sensation that is felt when engaging in an activity is reinforced and that activity becomes more attractive in the future. With all addictive behaviors, however, it is more than a dopamine spike itself that occurs. Repeated exposure to pornography, or any drug of abuse, over time, will inevitably affect the dopamine systemmost commonly leading the VTA-NAc pathway to develop a tolerance to the chemical.(1)(7)(13) That is, in order for an individual to get the same sensation that he or she

used to get, more dopamine is needed to produce a similar feeling or high. As happens with any drug, this growing tolerance requires increases in both frequency and intensity of the drug to compensate for the decreased pleasure. Recent studies suggest that areas of the brain controlling memory, attention, reasoning, planning and self discipline can all be affected by the repeated exposure as well, as neural connections are further shaped by the exposure.(2)(3)(4) (12) The presence of these new neural connections and pathways reflects why it is so difficult to refrain from any addictive behavior, pornography consumption included. As the behavior persists, these pathways become increasingly ingrained in our brains, and the body becomes accustomed to having high levels of dopamine available. Ultimately, consistent pornography use will literally alter the physical and chemical structure of an individual's nervous system at the cellular level feeding a growing appetite for the material. Greater amounts of dopamine are required to sustain the high, and the systems in the brain which produce this chemical begin to malfunction. The consequence is a body that craves increased levels of this drug just to feel normal, and a brain who's instinct is to turn to pornography at the first exposure of stress, anxiety, boredom, loneliness, and a number of life's consistent struggles.(5) While these automatic responses can be reversed over time, the more prominent the pathways of communication have become, the more difficult this change obviously becomes. Yet like any mountain ravine, when these pathways are abandoned for other courses, they will atrophy and grow weak over time. As with any addiction, true and lasting change is possibl

Patterns of Pornography Addiction

Purchasing patterns: Purchasing pornographic magazines, movies, tapes, CD's, and DVD's no matter how many are owned or how little we could afford to purchase more. Downloading and viewing megabytes or gigabytes of pornography whether paid or for free, no matter how much is already available on our computers or other media. Purchasing more storage space in order to accomodate the ever increasing collection, whether physical or digital. Addiction Patterns: Spending more and more time viewing without the abilty to determine when to stop. Hiding collections and isolating from friends and family to ensure that we are never "found out." Changing activities and plans to accomodate our active addiction. Neglecting obligations, commitments and our own needs. Needing pornography prior to or during sexual activity with a partner.

Going to physical viewing locations to obtain a fix, regardless of cost or ability to afford it. Behavioral patterns: Inability to sleep without viewing. Viewing prior to leaving our place of residence. Going to viewing locations during breaks or late at night. Viewing late at night so no one will notice. Fantasizing about anonymous partners. Inappropriate sexually oriented comments and jokes. Viewing to escape feelings. Justification/Low Self-esteem Patterns: I could never get a date anyway. No one likes me. This is safer. Who would like me, I am too _____ for anyone. I am not enough of a _______ for anyone. Control/Denial Patterns: "It will be manageable this time." "It's not that bad. I can stop whenever ________..." "At least with pornography, I always get what I want." "I get it whenever I want it." "It's always there for me."

THE 5 STAGES OF PORNOGRAPHY ADDICTION:

* EARLY EXPOSURE:

Most men or women who get addicted to porn start early. They see porn when they are very young and it gets its foot in the door.

* PORN ADDICTION: You keep coming back to porn. It becomes a regular part of your life. You're hooked and can't quit.

* ESCALATION: You start to look for more graphic pornography. You start using porn that disgusted you earlier. Now, it excites you.

* DESENSITIZATION: You start to become numb to the images you see. Even the most graphic porn doesn't excite you any more. You become desperate to feel the same thrill again, but you can't find it.

* ACTING OUT SEXUALLY:

This is the point where men or women make a crucial jump and start acting out the images they have seen. Some move from the paper and plastic images of porn into the real world, with real people, in destructive ways. Ref: http://www.troubledwith.com/AbuseandAddiction/A000000776.cfm? topic=abuse%20and%20addiction%3A%20pornography%20and%20cybersex