Chemical Release
By Kevin Leapley, MA, LPC, CSAT on Monday, April 7th, 2014 in Sexual Addiction. No Comments
*In Natural Marital Sexual Intercourse:
Dopamine: elevated levels of dopamine in the brain produce extremely focused attention, as well as unwavering motivation, energy, and goal-directed behaviors. This chemical causes each spouse to focus intensely on the other at the exclusion of everything else around them. It even helps each to concentrate on the positive qualities of the other and ignore the negative.
Dopamine triggers feelings of ecstasy and exhilaration, increases arousal to outside stimulus, and creates a “sexy mood.”
Norepinephrine: This chemical generates exhilaration and increase energy by giving the body a shot of natural adrenaline. Norepinephrine has also been linked to raising memory capacity. Whatever stimulus is being experienced in the presence of this chemical is seared in the brain.
Testosterone: Small quantities of this hormone are manufactured in the brain, but most of it is produced in the testes and ovaries. Testosterone is known as the hormone of sexual desire in both men and women. For men, however, it is the key hormone of desire, triggering feelings of positive energy and well-being. When it is depleted, both men and women experience lowered libido.
The release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and testosterone prepare and lead the human nervous system to experience the most powerful neurochemical of all—oxytocin.
Oxytocin: In women, this hormone triggers contractions during childbirth and milk production during nursing. It is also the chemical that plays a vital role in bonding a mother to her newborn child. It is believed that oxytocin also does the same for new fathers: its levels surge when a new dad holds his bundle of joy. During sexual intimacy, oxytocin triggers the contractions at climax. It is also called the “cuddle chemical”, in that oxytocin levels rise as couples hold hands, hug or watch a romantic movie together.
At sexual climax, oxytocin levels spike in any immense neurochemical rush that forges a powerful bond between husband and wife, producing a feeling of oneness, closeness and attachment. This “bonding-high” is so wonderful that oxytocin has been referred to as the “joyful brain chemical.” But it doesn’t stop there—the bonding process continues even after sexual intimacy. It is believed that oxytocin causes us to be attracted to certain features in our mate, so that each time we see him or her, our bond is strengthened. Each time oxytocin is released in the relationship, we draw closer and closer to one another. In addition, the flood of oxytocin at climax acts as a natural tranquilizer, lowering blood pressure, blunting sensitivity to pain and stress, and inducing sleep.
Serotonin: This natural chemical is released right after climax, bringing on deep feelings of calmness, satisfaction and release from stress. Anti-depressant drugs like Prozac are designed to increase levels of serotonin.
Porn Related Sexual Behavior:
Dopamine: elevated levels of dopamine in the brain produce extremely focused attention, as well as unwavering motivation and goal-directed behaviors. This causes the viewer to focus intensely on the pornographic images at the exclusion of everything else around him. He sees only attractive bodies, only the perceived positives, while shutting out all other truth and reality. Dopamine increases energy and arousal to the porn images, triggering feelings of ecstasy and exhilaration. A release of dopamine is associated with the cravings and dependency as they descend into the funnel, and withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to discontinue pornography uses.
Norepinephrine: This chemical induces feelings of exhilaration and increased energy by giving the body a shot of natural adrenaline. The porn viewer gets a “rush’ not unlike that felt while participating in a competitive sporting event or during a thrilling amusement park ride. Norepinephrine also increases memory capacity. Whatever stimulus is being experienced in the presence of this chemical is “seared” into the brain. A tidal wave of this chemical is released at climax. This explains why porn addicts can recall the images seen with vivid clarity, even years later. This also means that an addict doesn’t have to be at the computer screen to “see” pornography. Norepinephrine guarantees that he is equipped with hi own, private mobile porn library, a catalogue of images he can access at any time for self-medication. Unfortunately, when one is trying to overcome a porn addiction, the same vivid images often “pop” into the mind at the most inappropriate and frustrating times.
Testosterone: This powerful hormone dramatically increases sexual desire and arousal. Testosterone levels increase dramatically during porn viewing, eliciting a self-sustaining, building cycle. Pornography triggers the release of testosterone, which, in turn, increases the desire for more pornography, triggering once more the release of even more testosterone, and so one. To make mattes worse, testosterone takes an already “narrowing” male brain and causes it to narrow even further. Thus, this natural chemical intensifies the male focus on female body parts and fortifies the brain so that he can remain in the funnel for many hours without tiring. Add in dopamine and norepinephrine, and time and reality while in the funnel virtually disappear.
Oxytocin: You will recall from our discussion about the funnel experience in a healthy marriage relationship, that dopamine, norepinephrine and testosterone are designed to lead the couple to the unequaled bonding and joy of the “oxytocin-rush.” At sexual climax, oxytocin levels rise dramatically, forging at powerful bond between husband and wife. Oxytocin causes a man to be attracted to certain features in his mate, so that each time he sees her, his bond is strengthened. This powerful bonding chemical is also released when climax is achieved during pornography viewing, but his companion is not there. So just what is he becoming attracted, attached and bonded to? What features or body parts is the neurochemical increasing his attraction to? This may help explain why those who view pornography develop an attraction to and focus on women with a certain look or body proportions. Oxytocin helps “lock in” an attraction to women who look like the ones the viewer has been focusing on in pornography.
A tragic irony exists in the fact that many men seek out pornography, in part because they feel lonely and isolated. An oxytocin rush triggers a powerful bonding feeling, temporarily filling the “hole-in-the-soul.” However, oxytocin levels quickly dissipate, the joyful bonding feeling disappears, and the individual is left more empty and lonely than before.
In addition, oxytocin acts as a natural tranquilizer, lowering blood pressure and blunting sensitivity to pain and stress. Thus, individuals also seek the oxytocin rush to cope with the stress and pressures of life. But once the “high” is over, the realities of life return.
Serotonin: This natural chemical is released after climax, evoking a deep feeling of calmness, satisfaction, and release from stress. Just as those who are depressed may take Prozac to increase their serotonin levels, individuals turn to porn to self-medicate and escape the stress and pressures of life. Imagine how the release of this chemical temporarily aids in that objective.
If you are struggling, Front Range Counseling Center specializes in Denver Sexual Addiction Counseling. Call 303-933-5800.
Kevin Leapley, MA, LPC, CSAT
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