HOW DO I RE-WIRE MY BRAIN FROM PORN TO PURITY?
I remember helping a large outdoor camping reserve build new hiking trails. After several hours of working I realized that building new hiking trails was a slow process. When I asked the leader about what he did with the old trails he said, "We block them off and let the forest grow over them."
This is what happens to the recovering porn user's brain. Unused neural connections will re-wire elsewhere if they remain consistently unused. Creating new neural pathways in your brain may be difficult, but it is the way to permanently rid yourself of a pornography habit. Escaping the cycle of porn use requires more than just not looking at porn. You need to form new positive habits in an effort to literally re-wire your brain.
Sure, it can seem tedious to let the old porn pathways die off, but they weren't formed in a day and they won't deteriorate in a day. It takes time. In the meantime you should focus on building new healthy pathways to replace the old unhealthy pathways. Let's explore how this would look practically:
Tom's old habit was to view porn on his phone while he used the restroom. He has since built a new healthy habit of reading an inspirational book while doing his "bathroom business" and leaving his phone out of the restroom.
Bob's old habit was to use porn as soon as he got home from school. He has since built a new positive habit of sitting at the kitchen table to work on his homework when he gets home from school.
Larry's old habit was to use porn when he was stressed. He has since built a new healthy habit of working out at the local gym when he feels stressed.
Barb's old habit was to turn to pornography when she felt lonely. She has since built a new positive habit of hanging out with friends when she feels lonely.
How long will it take to form these new neural pathways? Well it depends on how long the old pathways have been established. Some people get overwhelmed when they think about escaping their porn habit. A number of experts like Dr. Mark Laaser recommend starting with a 90 day goal. (Of course the ultimate goal is permanently quitting porn use.)
Laaser says it is “entirely about neurochemical detox.” “It’s resetting the brain in terms of sexual expectations. Generally, the 14th day is the wall. As you get past the 14th day, things will get easier.”[1] He says depending on how severe the habit has become, “your brain will go on a five-alarm fire in about seven to 14 days.” [2]
Yes that might seem like a huge goal, but you can do it! The important thing is to focus on the present. If you fall, celebrate your successful streak and then start again with a slightly larger goal. Continue this process with the goal of reaching 90 consecutive days of porn-free living.
You can help your brain re-wire itself by doing three things:
1) Get a full night sleep. (Sleep is an important time for brain re-wiring.)
2) Excercise regularly.
3) Cut out the videogames.
Keep your eyes fixed on the goal and not the raging storm that may be going on as your porn neural pathways are starved out. You can rest assure that with each passing day you will be gaining willpower and reviving your conscience.
Remember when Peter walked on water with Jesus in the 14th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. Peter courageously walked on the water with Jesus, but he soon became distracted by the raging storm around him. As soon as Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he sank. The same is true with your recovery from pornography. You may get distracted by the raging neurological storm going on in your head. The old porn pathways will likely throw a fit once you begin to starve them out. They can only take you down if you focus your attention on them.
If you take your eyes off Jesus you will sink. Don't you dare take your eyes off of Jesus! He alone can calm the storm so "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."[3]
[1] www.covenanteyes.com/science-of-porn-addiction-ebook (pg. 33)
[2] Norman Doidge, The Brain That Changes Itself, pg. 94 (Penguin Books, 2007).
[3] RSV Bible Matthew 14:27
I remember helping a large outdoor camping reserve build new hiking trails. After several hours of working I realized that building new hiking trails was a slow process. When I asked the leader about what he did with the old trails he said, "We block them off and let the forest grow over them."
This is what happens to the recovering porn user's brain. Unused neural connections will re-wire elsewhere if they remain consistently unused. Creating new neural pathways in your brain may be difficult, but it is the way to permanently rid yourself of a pornography habit. Escaping the cycle of porn use requires more than just not looking at porn. You need to form new positive habits in an effort to literally re-wire your brain.
Sure, it can seem tedious to let the old porn pathways die off, but they weren't formed in a day and they won't deteriorate in a day. It takes time. In the meantime you should focus on building new healthy pathways to replace the old unhealthy pathways. Let's explore how this would look practically:
Tom's old habit was to view porn on his phone while he used the restroom. He has since built a new healthy habit of reading an inspirational book while doing his "bathroom business" and leaving his phone out of the restroom.
Bob's old habit was to use porn as soon as he got home from school. He has since built a new positive habit of sitting at the kitchen table to work on his homework when he gets home from school.
Larry's old habit was to use porn when he was stressed. He has since built a new healthy habit of working out at the local gym when he feels stressed.
Barb's old habit was to turn to pornography when she felt lonely. She has since built a new positive habit of hanging out with friends when she feels lonely.
How long will it take to form these new neural pathways? Well it depends on how long the old pathways have been established. Some people get overwhelmed when they think about escaping their porn habit. A number of experts like Dr. Mark Laaser recommend starting with a 90 day goal. (Of course the ultimate goal is permanently quitting porn use.)
Laaser says it is “entirely about neurochemical detox.” “It’s resetting the brain in terms of sexual expectations. Generally, the 14th day is the wall. As you get past the 14th day, things will get easier.”[1] He says depending on how severe the habit has become, “your brain will go on a five-alarm fire in about seven to 14 days.” [2]
Yes that might seem like a huge goal, but you can do it! The important thing is to focus on the present. If you fall, celebrate your successful streak and then start again with a slightly larger goal. Continue this process with the goal of reaching 90 consecutive days of porn-free living.
You can help your brain re-wire itself by doing three things:
1) Get a full night sleep. (Sleep is an important time for brain re-wiring.)
2) Excercise regularly.
3) Cut out the videogames.
Keep your eyes fixed on the goal and not the raging storm that may be going on as your porn neural pathways are starved out. You can rest assure that with each passing day you will be gaining willpower and reviving your conscience.
Remember when Peter walked on water with Jesus in the 14th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. Peter courageously walked on the water with Jesus, but he soon became distracted by the raging storm around him. As soon as Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he sank. The same is true with your recovery from pornography. You may get distracted by the raging neurological storm going on in your head. The old porn pathways will likely throw a fit once you begin to starve them out. They can only take you down if you focus your attention on them.
If you take your eyes off Jesus you will sink. Don't you dare take your eyes off of Jesus! He alone can calm the storm so "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."[3]
[1] www.covenanteyes.com/science-of-porn-addiction-ebook (pg. 33)
[2] Norman Doidge, The Brain That Changes Itself, pg. 94 (Penguin Books, 2007).
[3] RSV Bible Matthew 14:27