Gary discusses the adolescent brain (show #7)

Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/30/2012 - 13:36
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adolescent watching a screenAdolescents are furiously wiring their brains to stimuli in their environments, and at the same time, pruning unused neural circuitry. Find out what makes adolescent brains structurally different from adult brains, and what the differences mean for today's young porn users. Also, listen to an excellent talk by Dr. Jay Giedd, Chief, Brain Imaging Section, National Institute of Mental Health. For an oveview, read our Psychology Today post: Why Shouldn’t Johnny Watch Porn If He Likes? This recent research was discussed in the show: Are our kids becoming Internet porn addicts?

Listen to October 30, 2012 radio show "Your Brain in the Cybersex Jungle"

Comments

Submitted by Addict101 on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 19:18.

I'm 29 and according to the episode my chances of being functional in sexual and social department has passed? I have been anti social playing video games and watching porn until recently...now lacking social skills and have DE.

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/13/2012 - 12:56.

but I didn't. Your chances of being functional have not passed. If you read the rebooting accounts you will see that lots of guys heal.

The brain is very plastic and will change. The point of the broadcast was to address the sexologists and sociologists who believe Internet porn is harmless, and that the adolescent brain is no different from the adult brain.

I always suggest reading the very famous book: The Brain That Changes Itself - by Norman Doidge. http://www.amazon.com/Brain-That-Changes-Itself-Frontiers/dp/0143113100 Excerpts here: Norman Doidge on Pornography and Neuroplasticity

Submitted by Addict101 on Tue, 11/13/2012 - 19:38.

Thanks, will check it out! My longest attempt was 8days and I did have clearer mind and was more articulate...this was several months back. I just worry that that experience was temporary and I would revert back to my dumb clouded self eventually...also wonder if when I start having regular sex my head would revert back to dumb clouded self.

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/13/2012 - 21:22.

was computer nerd who had been using porn since he was 15. He was almost 40 when he arrived - terrible social anxiety, severe porn addiction, lived with his mom and was a virgin. He bloomed, fell in love and has been living with his SO, and has many interests - but not porn.