How Pornography Impacts the Brain with Dr. Trish Leigh

I feel so fortunate that I got to interview today’s guest, Dr. Trish Leigh. As soon as I saw her book, Mind Over Explicit Matter: Quit Porn and Improve Intimacy Through Neuroscience, I knew I had to talk to her about it. Friends, this conversation is incredibly important, and you must not miss it!  Dr. Trish is a neuroscientist, a sex addiction recovery coach, a brain health coach, an author, speaker and mom to 5. She is a wealth of knowledge about the way the brain is impacted by pornography. So, if you are wondering how porn impacts the brain, and you should, this episode is for you! Dr. Trish helps us understand how porn hijacks the brain’s dopamine system and the problems and dangers that causes. She explains the main reasons people use porn, how people use porn to numb negative feelings and ultimately how it causes a lack of joy in life. We talk about toxic relationships fueled by porn use. We also discuss masturbation and why it is not harmless. Yep, we went there! (If you want to learn more about the topic of masturbation, I have a whole chapter in my book on this topic because it is a question I get asked so often. So many parents have questions and so many of us don’t know who to ask or where to go. I’m here to help!) We also discuss how putting boundaries in place for our kids is hard, but worth it.  Dr. Trish gives us practical, doable tips as we are raising kids in this new era of parenting. There is just so much here.  Dr. Trish and I don’t agree on everything—for example, I do believe porn is a moral issue as well as an addiction issue—but wow, I am so grateful for what I have learned from her! Learning how things like pornography impacts and even changes the brain is a powerful tool as we raise kids in this porn saturated world. I know that God is the designer of our incredible, intricate brains and that we can honor Him by protecting not just our kids’ bodies, but their brains and hearts too. It is up to us offer our kids something better than porn could ever give them. If you don’t know how to do that, read my book, It’s Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn.  And if you are ready to educate yourself about how porn impacts the brain, get Dr. Trish’s book.  Where to find Dr. Trish: Find Dr. Trish’s new book here Find Dr. Trish’s website here Find Dr. Trish on Instagram here  Resources mentioned in this episode: Find my new book here The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org