Pornography to Powerful for Adolescents to Handle on Their Own

[InnerGold]

The drug of pornography is just too powerful for young adolescents to handle on their own. The fact of the matter is that it is too powerful for any of us to handle on our own. This support must be offered with understanding, love, compassion and patience. If a young person is criticized, condemned or shamed after exposure, it sets up the perfect environment for potential addiction issues because of the way the limbic part of the brain works. Shame will aid an addiction in becoming more entrenched and makes it more challenging to treat. Any acting out behaviors must be treated with the perfect balance of justice and mercy. This is a great challenge for loved ones, ecclesiastical leaders and therapists alike. If the response to a confession is too harsh or judgmental, an adolescent is even less likely to get the help they need. If the response to a confession is too lenient, one may not feel the urgency to change or recognize the seriousness of the problem. Pornography addiction is a very serious problem and needs to be treated as such, but it must be handled with great care and compassion if one is to find the help they need.

In the simplest terms, we have two parts of our brain or “two brains” that work in concert with each other. The higher functioning brain, known as the neocortex or the pre-frontal cortex, the rational, moral and logical part of the brain, sits on the top of the more primitive brain known as the limbic system. The limbic system, or primitive brain, is selfish, primitive, childish, and pleasure-oriented, with no ability to delay gratification. It is very important to understand that there are no morals and values associated with the limbic system or “natural man.” Values do not exist there. This is why the Lord says, “The natural man is an enemy to God” (Mosiah 3:19). This is the instinctive survival part of the brain.

Edited November 20, 2009 by InnerGold
Only providing information!

[candyprpl]

On Oprah the other day (I don't usually watch her show) -- I caught the last little part of her show talking about the internet porn industry. And the part I caught was a therapist explaining to Oprah the difference between eroticism and porn -- bottom line of her explanation -- eroticism being less addictive or bad but healthy -- healthy!!!!!. Her explanation left me dumbfounded -- what difference! -- it's bad no matter how you label it.

[InnerGold]

This is the biggest problem in the professional community. You have some saying, "it is natural and healthy" and others saying, " it is destructive and dangerous."

We were listening to a professional organization that travels around the country speaking to people about sexual addiction and this person was saying it is ok to explore with sexuality. I simply could not believe it. No wonder this problem is destroying the lives of so many, they are listening to junk like this!

Gordon, founder of Inner Gold is working on a book called, The Language of Recovery and we are in the process of formating it. It is amazing! It helps explain this issue we are dealing with and he is straight up front about it being from an LDS perspective but to keep an open mind. It should be released in December. We are trying to get it out so it will be available and help loved ones understand and also help the general public recognize the problems associated with pornography.

Edited November 20, 2009 by InnerGold
Providing Information!

[InnerGold]

Pornography and sexual addiction issues are endemic in our current world. In other words, these issues are already here and have penetrated every culture in the world since the introduction of the Internet. Research indicates that nearly 100 percent of males in the United States have viewed pornography by their senior year in high school.1 It very well may be, at least from a spiritual point of view, the “desolating scourge” (D&C 5:9, 45:31) that has been prophesied will cover the land in the last days. Pornography is the adversary’s trump card, or the “perfect poison,” for the human brain. It is negatively affecting millions worldwide. Statistics now support that the vast majority of those indulging in it are not willing to talk about it or seek help.

Neuroscience tells us pornography addiction is a “brain disease” and must be treated as such! Society should not view pornography as a harmless form of entertainment or a moral weakness but as a “biological chemical disease.” Viewing pornography affects the human brain in significant ways. It sets off a chemical cocktail or a “rush” in the brain, just like hard drugs when taken into the body. The only difference is that the drug of pornography is injected directly into the brain through the eyes. When someone views pornography, a powerful cascade of microscopic pleasurable chemicals called neurotransmitters, such as Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Oxytocin, Vasopressin and Serotonin, are instantaneously released in the brain. This chemical reaction is set off in the primitive unconscious part of the human brain known as the limbic system; then it instantly spreads throughout the brain and body by an intricate and vast super highway of neuro networks.

These tiny microscopic neurotransmitters have a huge affect on how brain cells function and grow. They can drive or compel one to seek certain behaviors by creating powerful physical cravings. Through repetition, these behaviors can become very powerful addictions that can then inhibit a person’s ability to think and make rational choices. The physical brain can actually hijack a person’s mind or will.

Edited November 20, 2009 by InnerGold
readability

[Wingnut]

On Oprah the other day (I don't usually watch her show) -- I caught the last little part of her show talking about the internet porn industry. And the part I caught was a therapist explaining to Oprah the difference between eroticism and porn -- bottom line of her explanation -- eroticism being less addictive or bad but healthy -- healthy!!!!!. Her explanation left me dumbfounded -- what difference! -- it's bad no matter how you label it.

Yet another reason why I think I'm the only person who doesn't give a crap that Oprah's show is ending next year.

[pam]

Yet another reason why I think I'm the only person who doesn't give a crap that Oprah's show is ending next year.

No you aren't the only one. I can't stand Oprah.

[dedge]

I think 100% of boy's see Porn way before Senior Year in High School, more like the 7th grade.