The Dark Sides of Porn Consumption

How It Warps Your Mind and Relationships

Ever wondered how your late-night porn habits might be messing with your head and your love life? Well, buckle up in our latest Men Talking Mindfulness, we’re diving deep into the murky waters of porn addiction, intimacy, and relationships. We had the pleasure of chatting with men's mental health coach Elise Michaels and she dropped some serious knowledge bombs.

First off, did you know that excessive porn consumption can distort your relationships and create unrealistic expectations about sex? Yep, it’s true. Elise pointed out, “When a man is masturbating to porn, the idea is to just get that immediate gratification of coming. When you are with a partner, that's not something you want to happen.” So, if you’re finding it hard to connect with your partner, your porn habits are most likely getting in the way.

Porn doesn’t just mess with your head; it can also lead to some pretty gnarly physical issues like erectile dysfunction. Elise explained that porn takes you out of your body and into a fantasy world, making it hard to experience real pleasure. “It disconnects you from the ability to understand what pleasure actually means for you,” she said. Ouch!

But it’s not all doom and gloom.

Elise also shared some tips on how to break free from the porn trap. Start by questioning why you feel the need to watch porn and try to replace it with healthier habits. “We have to start thinking about this may not be a normal experience or tool that I want to keep anymore,” she advised. So, next time you’re tempted to hit up your favorite porn site, maybe try some deep breathing or meditation instead. And ask, “Do I really need this?” What if you didn’t fall into this trap the next time you had the urge?

In a nutshell, if you want to improve your relationships and your mental health, it might be time to rethink your porn habits. Trust us, your future self will thank you.

Gain a ton more insights by listening to the full episode below:

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