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Your Brain on Porn: Internet Pornography and the Emerging Science of Addiction Paperback – January 1, 2015
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Revised and updated in September 2018.
When high speed internet became widely available a few years ago, growing numbers of people began to worry that their porn use was running out of control. Far from preparing them for fulfilling relationships, viewing an endless stream of porn videos led to unexpected symptoms. Perhaps most surprisingly, for the first time in history erectile dysfunction was becoming a significant problem for young men. This led to one of the largest informal experiments in the history of science. Tens of thousands of people have tried abstaining from sexually stimulating material in a process they call 'rebooting'. Many of them reported startling changes, from improved concentration and elevated mood to a greater capacity for real-life intimacy.
Gary Wilson has listened to the stories of those who have tried giving up internet porn and related them to an account of how the reward system of the brain interacts with its environment. And now a growing body of research in neuroscience is confirming what these pioneers have discovered for themselves - internet pornography can be seriously addictive and damaging.
In Your Brain on Porn Wilson provides a concise introduction to the phenomenon of internet porn addiction that draws on both first-person accounts and the findings of cognitive neuroscience. In a voice that is generous and humane, he also offers advice for those who want to stop using internet pornography. The publication of Your Brain on Porn is a landmark in our attempts to understand, and remain balanced in, a world where addiction is big business.
- Print length180 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherCommonwealth Publishing
- Publication dateJanuary 1, 2015
- Dimensions6.02 x 0.43 x 7.83 inches
- ISBN-10099316160X
- ISBN-13978-0993161605
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Product details
- Publisher : Commonwealth Publishing (January 1, 2015)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 180 pages
- ISBN-10 : 099316160X
- ISBN-13 : 978-0993161605
- Item Weight : 7.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 6.02 x 0.43 x 7.83 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #14,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Study of Pornography
- #2 in Sexual Health Recovery
- #98 in Sociology Reference
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book provides useful insights and real-world examples about the harmful effects of pornography. They describe it as an easy, fascinating read with clear explanations and a well-structured presentation. The book helps them feel less alone and allows them to interact with loved ones differently. Readers appreciate the clear explanations about the side effects and dangers of pornography. However, opinions differ on whether it's an accurate depiction of the addiction and its impact on sexual health.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book helpful in understanding the harmful nature of pornography. They appreciate the real-world stories and research articles on how it causes issues. The neuroscience chapter is cutting-edge and explains in a simple way what a high-speed addiction is. Readers say the book opens their eyes and gives solutions to fixing issues.
"...His depression and anxiety are improving...." Read more
"...porn use specifically, I find it to be the best book on the impacts of addiction overall, with great tools for working on changing all addictive..." Read more
"I think this book is a must read for anyone struggling with a porn addiction or anyone that knows of someone struggling I just recently made a..." Read more
"Fantastic content and good topics. It does change your perspective a lot regarding pornography and its side effects...." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They say it's an important read for understanding how porn affects the brain. The first few chapters are excellent, describing the addiction from a scientific perspective. Overall, customers find the content satisfying and not salacious.
"...Good read" Read more
"Fantastic content and good topics. It does change your perspective a lot regarding pornography and its side effects...." Read more
"...This book is also a great read to let you know you aren't alone in this situation. definitely pick it up." Read more
"...Chapter 1 is very important reading. It provides the foundation and proof of this problem...." Read more
Customers find the book provides clear and easy-to-understand explanations about the impact of pornography on the brain. They appreciate the well-structured and detailed information, as well as the concise and descriptive writing style.
"...Well written, well researched, compassionate and eye opening! Very grateful to Gary Wilson and the positive impact he's had on this world...." Read more
"...is a first look at understanding of porn addiction, a jumping off point to real discussion and a way to help bring some hope for men and women to..." Read more
"Well-written and straight to the point about the science of pornography and why it's harmful...." Read more
"...It's written pretty clearly, breaking down tough scientific explanations about how addiction works and making them accessible to readers...." Read more
Customers find the book helpful for achieving real intimacy and sex. They say it makes them feel less alone and helps them interact with loved ones differently.
"...Real human intimacy and sex is the most rewarding and satisfying. I was addicted to porn for most of my life. Reading this book set me free." Read more
"...book helped me understand his brain better and has allowed me to interact with him differently...." Read more
"I recommend this book to addicts, loved ones, and those who counsel both...." Read more
"...your cravings, and get back to what really matters like being intimate with people." Read more
Customers find the book informative about the harmful effects of pornography. They appreciate the science behind it and its negative impact on both men and women. The book also explains the fast-changing, dangerous megatrend.
"...and straight to the point about the science of pornography and why it's harmful...." Read more
"...effects of porn, what it says about the nature of porn, and biological effects." Read more
"...This book gave me a big insight about porn and the terrible side effects. Truly worth reading...." Read more
"...covers everything high and low on porn, and why it is unhealthy for both men and women...." Read more
Customers find the religious content straightforward and non-judgmental. They mention it's not a Christian book and has nothing to do with religion or beliefs.
"...It's fairly short, straight forward, and free of religious preachy-ness...." Read more
"...Moreover, in case anyone is wondering, this is not a book about morality. There is no preaching about the "right or wrong" of porn...." Read more
"...It's not a Christian book, and it's non-judgmental. It doesn't beat you over the head and tell you you're bad, it just lays out the facts...." Read more
"...You need to read this. This has nothing to do with religions, beliefs, it's science guys. Science!" Read more
Customers have different views on the book's discussion of porn addiction. Some find it an honest and respectful discussion about sexual dysfunction in men and women, including erectile dysfunction in teenage boys. Others feel that the use of porn is bad for the brain and addictive, while others consider it evil and betraying spirituality.
"...trouble in relating to some of the men's stories in the book, and porn induced ED...." Read more
"...use contributes or causes erectile dysfunction in men, and sexual problems in women. Chapter 1 is very important reading...." Read more
"...Porn is evil. Porn is selfishness and betrayal and hypocrisy. Porn is spiritual death. Let the dead bury their dead...." Read more
"...as it becomes repetitive in making the primary point: Internet porn changes your brain, and not in a good way...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Good resource. (Read review if you are a Christian.)
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2024After I found out someone close to me was addicted to porn, I scoured the internet looking for help. For them, for me, to understand and see if it was,1. A real thing, 2. How it manifested and what symptoms it caused, and 3. If it could be cured.
I read the book in 5 days so that I could give it to my bf when I saw him that weekend. It was tough to read at times. I felt some anxiety, some triggers. Some disdain, let's be real, and sadness. However, this book is a game changer! Dont get me wrong, the porn addict in your life, even if it's yourself, has to choose to quit, to abstain from unhealthy sexual behaviors. But I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. I understood the disease in a way I never could have otherwise.
This book allowed me to bring up topics and ask questions I needed answers to. It also helped my bf see that he is not alone. That porn addiction and the MANY side effects are more common than anyone knows. That he is NOT a weirdo or freak. That men have gotten over their addictions and are happy with healthy sexual interactions that they never could have had before quitting porn.
It's been 70 days, and while everything isn't "normal" like it should be for a 34 yr old man, it is much better. Mostly, his confidence is at a high point it has never been. His depression and anxiety are improving. No more sneaking little blue pills and our ability to engage naturally is light years from where we started. I'm hopeful for the next 70 days and beyond.
If you just need to understand porn addiction and how harmful porn is to developing minds. How it unnaturally rewires the chemicals in your brain to respond to stimuli and that it can be fixed! Or if you or someone you love needs help, I HIGHLY recommend this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2024While this book addresses porn use specifically, I find it to be the best book on the impacts of addiction overall, with great tools for working on changing all addictive processes. Well written, well researched, compassionate and eye opening! Very grateful to Gary Wilson and the positive impact he's had on this world. RIP Mr. Wilson.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2025I think this book is a must read for anyone struggling with a porn addiction or anyone that knows of someone struggling I just recently made a commitment to myself and my wife to stop porn after 7 years of struggling to quit and after reading this book I have found all the information I needed to stay away from this terrible industry the effects it has on your brain and why you feel so depressed and anxious all the time while using as well as the how you feel when you go through the “withdrawals” of it are all the proof I needed that porn was an addiction for me if you are struggling to quit and need to eliminate your biggest trigger “ smartphone/social media” pick up a book and definitely give this one a read!
- Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2020This book does a wonderful job of explaining the harmful effects of porn-addiction on the brain, and goes far enough to back it up with scientific [not just circumstantial either] evidence.
It's probably not going to stop anyone from indulging themselves but it will at least let you know how it is affecting your brain and perhaps will help you help others off of the addiction, or at least ween them off to a healthy level.
Good read
- Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2024Fantastic content and good topics. It does change your perspective a lot regarding pornography and its side effects. I would recommend this book to anyone
- Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2024this book is so informative and really shows so much info about the effects of porn on the young and adult brain.
it also exposes a lot of the healthcare industry and how they always write off everything as physical and rather prescribe you meds then tell you to make healthy life choices such as stopping porn.
so many young men have experienced issues and this book opens your eyes and gives solutions to fixing issues that are not due to physical. This book is also a great read to let you know you aren't alone in this situation. definitely pick it up.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2021As a wife of a porn addicted husband, the book scared the hell out of me as a woman, mother and wife! For a generation we gave all media industries our childrens' virtue and gave them permission to steal their innocence and personal responsibility; we gave them permission to create porn addicted boys/girls who were unable to become healthy loving men/women.
This book helped me realize that our inactions of letting our children have carte blanc on the internet was one of the ways we as a society created these mental demons for them to battle. When I read some of the so called science of creepy studies that porn addiction is not real and some porn is good have never walked a mile in muck and the mire through the devastation that porn has done to my husband!
I gained clarity from this book and the hell that we faced as a couple during his porn fueled years while we try to salvage what is left of his male state and our marriage. This book is not a cure all, only the eye opening slap to the brain needed to see that relationships are hard and there is no easy way to retrain the brain to live in the real world after being stuck in porn addiction land. This book is a first look at understanding of porn addiction, a jumping off point to real discussion and a way to help bring some hope for men and women to find the courage to seek a helping hand.
Top reviews from other countries
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Rafael BarretoReviewed in Brazil on April 2, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars O comentário em português que você procurava
Um livro incrível que desmitifica muito do que se é dito boca a boca por aí por anos pela maioria dos homens, defensores de um velho e bom " pornozinho", que acaba transformando pra pior a vida de muita gente, tanto homens quanto mulheres, mas, exclusivamente, a vida de homens.
Ler isso aqui foi muito informativo. Muitos relatos e coisas que vi aqui eram coisas pelas quais eu passei ou que ja pensei, tanto pelo consumo exarcebado, como pelo tempo máximo que já consegui me ver livre disse, com todos os beneficios também semelhantes ao que tive.
Recomendo isso não só como um modo de alerta sobre o consumo de pornografia e os malefícios que seu consumo causa, mas, também, como uma ponte que te faça buscar entender melhor como funcjona seu cérebro - o que constitui você- , suas sinapses, seus vícios, recompensas, sucesso e fracasso em muitos aspectos diferentes da vida.
- MKReviewed in Canada on November 28, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars The Bible of Porn Addiction
I have been exploring the porn addiction literature and this book has some unique insights and is definitely a must read. Understanding the addition gives you the power to outsmart it.
One of the most valuable ideas in this book is that religious approaches are not very effective at stopping the addition. This has nothing to do with religion; I am a pretty religious person myself. It has everything to do with the brain. Wilson explains that when an activity is condemned, engaging in it creates more anxiety, which leads to even more dopamine in the brain. In other words, approaching porn addiction from a religious point of view makes porn *more* exciting:
"Interestingly, people (including religious ones) on the forums we monitor often make rapid progress in rebooting after they re-frame their porn challenge in biological terms:
I no longer see my addiction as the influence of demons or the natural expression of my wicked sinful heart, but as a very human, very natural (albeit misplaced) desire for sexual intimacy. It was a bad habit, reinforced by neurochemicals, but nothing mysterious or ethereal. I realized that I already had the power to control my actions."
As great as other books on the subject are, this book discusses some pitfalls and techniques I have not seen anywhere else. For example, it gives you a practical way of dealing with recall of porn scenes - you visualize a big red X over the scene together with the sound of sirens. You can't stop thoughts from popping up, but they are highly malleable.
As far as other books on this subject are concerned, I would also recommend "The Porn Myth," which is a philosopher's take, and "The Porn Trap," which is a therapist's take. "The Porn Myth" really questions how we think about porn, while "The Porn Trap" presents the sheer misery porn causes to people and couples.
Let me close with a quote from "Your Brain On Porn":
"The fact is, the brain's reward centre doesn't know what porn is. It only registers levels of stimulations through dopamine and opioid spikes."
- Cliente de KindleReviewed in Mexico on July 4, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars The book that every menthal-health-professional should read.
It explains with scientific facts why this affects the human brain. Easy to read and to comprehend.
Hope this could be taken in consideration because it's a problem that is being dismissed by experts knowadays. All the things that I read aligned perfectly with the syptoms I have.
As an addict,I can guarantee this books helps you understanding ,wether you need to help someone else or yourself.
- Do not buy the £50+ version as it is just a slightly larger version of the regular poster, this is NOT a canvasReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 14, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read and contains vital knowledge for all men in the modern era
A good read and contains vital knowledge for all men in the modern era
- Anbarasu JeraldReviewed in India on September 22, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful book to quit porn
It will definitely improve your personal life, sexlife with your partner and will improve overall health. The important point about this book is that it is not based on religion and spirituality and hence will not force you into guilt and further addiction. Life changing. Given todays level of addiction among the public this book should reach every individual
Anbarasu JeraldVery useful book to quit porn
Reviewed in India on September 22, 2023
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