Why Are You Consuming Porn??? | Dr. Trish Leigh & Zack Carter

Dr. Trish Leigh and Coach Zack Carter introduce the podcast episode focusing on the concept of 'porn brain' and its rewiring. They plan to discuss what constitutes as porn, how to identify it, and strategies to address it. The conversation aims to bring a new perspective to the topic using cognitive behavioral therapy, with five key points to cover, including the introduction of the topic, defining porn, understanding brain patterns, thought systems, and providing a brain hack strategy.

The speakers delve into what qualifies as pornography, emphasizing the 'why' behind consumption rather than the 'what.' They discuss how various forms of media, including non-explicit content, can be considered pornographic if they are used to seek a dopamine hit. The conversation highlights the role of hijacker thoughts that attempt to justify the consumption of sexualized content and how this can lead to a slippery slope of increasing tolerance for such material.

The discussion explores how sexualized media, including social media and seemingly non-sexual content, can lead to a dopamine-driven cycle that reinforces the search for more stimulating material. The speakers explain how this can escalate from looking at sexualized images to acting out in real life, leading to infidelity or other unhealthy behaviors. They also touch upon the normalization of sexual content in various aspects of media and its influence on the brain's reward system.

Dr. Leigh explains the concept of 'strained brain' and 'desensitized brain' patterns that result from the excessive consumption of high-dopamine content, leading to feelings of anxiety, lack of motivation, and depression. The speakers discuss the importance of neuroplasticity in resensitizing the brain and healing these patterns. They emphasize that recovery is a process that takes time and commitment.

Coach Zack Carter introduces cognitive behavioral therapy, explaining its approach to addressing the thought system underlying addictive behaviors. The conversation focuses on the interplay between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and the importance of addressing all three for recovery. The speakers discuss the role of self-awareness and the process of changing thought patterns to foster healthy emotional regulation.

The speakers provide a strategy for changing negative thought patterns through a process of meta-cognition. They suggest writing down negative thoughts, acknowledging them as thoughts, and then rephrasing them to reflect a healthier perspective. This technique is aimed at helping individuals gain control over their thoughts and emotions, ultimately leading to a more positive self-image and behavior change.

In the concluding part, the speakers encourage the audience to view their struggles as opportunities for personal growth. They emphasize the power of language in shaping thoughts and suggest reframing negative statements into positive affirmations. The episode ends with a call to action to control one's brain and take charge of one's life, leaving the audience with a message of hope and empowerment.