What Porn Really Does to Your Brain (Neurologist Explains) | Adam Lane Smith

Nov 14, 2025

In this fascinating discussion, Dr. Trish Leigh, a neuroscience coach specializing in compulsive sexual behaviors, uncovers the profound impact of pornography on the brain and relationships. She explains how porn acts as a dopamine-driven addiction, leading to intimacy dysfunction and betrayal trauma. With insights on the arousal gap and the risks of infidelity, she emphasizes the importance of establishing boundaries for healthy relationships. Dr. Leigh also shares how QEEG brain mapping identifies real addiction patterns, guiding effective recovery.

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INSIGHT

Porn Is A Nervous-System Crisis

Porn addiction is a nervous-system problem rooted in dopamine hijacking and betrayal trauma.
Trish Leigh emphasizes that both the woman's distress and the man's compulsion are real brain-level crises.

ADVICE

Set Zero-Tolerance For Explicit Content

Avoid all explicit digital sexual content in a healthy relationship; Trish Leigh recommends zero exposure.
She expands 'porn' to include social media, OnlyFans, and hyper-sexualized media when setting boundaries.

INSIGHT

Porn Breaks Pair-Bonding Chemistry

Porn redirects brain bonding from real partners to fantasy by hijacking dopamine and interfering with oxytocin and serotonin.
Trish Leigh says you either link your brain to reality or to fantasy, but you cannot do both.

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Ever wonder what Porn really does to your brain? Dr. Trish Leigh explains how it hijacks dopamine, damages intimacy, and undermines trust and emotional safety in relationships.

Topics Covered:
👉 Porn as a dopamine-driven addiction
👉 How Porn disconnects men from real partners during intimacy
👉 Why betrayal trauma becomes a nervous system crisis
👉 Why healthy relationships require zero exposure to Porn or explicit digital content
👉 Escalation patterns and how the brain bonds to fantasy
👉 Objectification and “tool-use” brain activation after Porn exposure
👉 QEEG brain mapping and how it validates real addiction patterns
👉 Sexual Arousal Dysfunction linked to Porn and the arousal gap
👉 The woman’s boundary-setting role in addressing Porn as an addictive behavior
👉 The impact of Porn on relationship breakdowns and divorce rates

If you enjoyed watching this episode, you might love 'Dr. Orion Taraban: Why Modern Men Are Failing at Intimacy'. Watch here: https://youtu.be/rYdzdGReDqg

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Website: https://drtrishleigh.com/