High Libido or Hypersexuality? The Neuroscience Behind Porn Addiction, with Dr. Trish Leigh

I sit down with Dr. Trish Leigh, a cognitive neuroscientist and neurofeedback clinician, to unpack what pornography and screen compulsions can do to the brain, from dopamine dependency and hypersexuality to sexual dysfunction and impaired self-regulation. We explore why so many men struggle to break the habit, how pornography can become a tool for managing stress and boredom, and why simply trying to quit often isn't enough.Dr. Leigh explains how the brain can be rewired through repetition, healthier sources of dopamine, intentional routines, and what she calls the “instant rewire.” We also talk about shame, relationships, parenting, ADHD symptoms, and how rebuilding a healthier brain can help men create the life and relationships they actually want.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:01 - What Happens in the Brain Before You Open Porn02:49 - Dopamine and the Screen Compulsion Loop04:32 - Dopamine, Testosterone, and the Brain06:11 - Porn-Induced Erectile Dysfunction07:09 - How Porn Changes Sexual Arousal09:04 - Novelty, Intensity, and Hypersexuality12:25 - Why Men Use Porn for Stress and Boredom15:16 - Rewiring the Brain Through Dopamine Stacking17:21 - High Libido vs. Hypersexuality20:24 - How Porn Changes the Way You See Women23:58 - What a “Hijacked” Brain Looks Like27:38 - The Prefrontal Cortex vs. the “Banana-Hungry Gorilla”30:00 - Replacing Porn With Real-World Dopamine32:24 - Your Brain Is Not Broken - It’s Been Conditioned35:20 - Neuroplasticity and the Rigid Brain40:51 - Porn, ADHD Symptoms, and Brain Function43:12 - Nature, Nurture, and How We Train the Brain45:37 - Teaching Kids Emotional Regulation48:17 - Is It Your Relationship or Your Brain?52:39 - Breaking the Cycle of Shame54:42 - A Step-by-Step Plan to Rewire Your Brain57:00 - The Three-Second “Instant Rewire”59:01 - Building Routines That Replace Porn01:00:52 - Setting the GPS for the Life You Want01:03:10 - Where to Find Dr. Trish Leigh***Tired of feeling like you're never enough? Build your self-worth with help from this free guide: https://training.mantalks.com/self-worthPick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/Heard about attachment but don’t know where to start? Try the FREE Ultimate Guide To AttachmentCheck out some other free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your RelationshipBuild brotherhood with a powerful group of like-minded men from around the world. Check out The Alliance. Enjoy the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the tools and training they’re looking for. And don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | SpotifyFor more, visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram