Dr. Trish Leigh
Episode #169: How Social Media is Worsening Your Porn Addiction — Dr. Trish Leigh
May 2, 2025
Discover how social media and pornography intertwine to hijack your brain's reward system. Learn about the addictive features of infinite scrolling and intermittent rewards that can lead to anxiety and emotional disconnection. The discussion highlights how these platforms foster feelings of emptiness and sexual dysfunction. Find out why internal validation is crucial and explore tips for healthier social media habits. This journey towards healing reveals your brain's capacity to recover and feel pleasure naturally again.
15:12
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Quick takeaways
- Social media's design promotes addiction by providing inconsistent dopamine hits, similar to gambling, causing emotional disconnection and unhealthy habits.
- The shift from internal satisfaction to external validation through social media leads to distorted self-worth among individuals, highlighting the need for intrinsic motivation.
Deep dives
The Impact of Intermittent Rewards
Intermittent rewards, similar to gambling, create unpredictable spikes in dopamine that keep individuals hooked on social media. This psychological mechanism was illustrated in a study where rats became obsessed with obtaining sugar water only when it was offered sporadically. The allure of these unpredictable rewards alters brain chemistry, conditioning users to crave more dopamine, which can lead to increased disconnection and unhealthy consumption patterns. As a result, social media users often seek out hypersexualized or dramatic content, reinforcing their need to return for constant dopamine hits, ultimately distorting their emotional responses and pleasure pathways.
