Porn vs. Masturbation: Dopamine & Healthy Sexuality

The conversation about porn often sounds like a moral issue, but it’s not—it’s neurological. In this groundbreaking episode of the Reforged Podcast, licensed professional counselor Scott Austin Martin reveals the critical difference between porn and masturbation, and why one hijacks your brain while the other can be a path to self-intimacy. Discover the science behind dopamine and oxytocin, and learn why porn’s constant novelty-seeking floods your brain with dopamine but leaves you without the crucial bonding chemical, oxytocin. This creates a destructive spike-and-crash loop that leaves you feeling dead inside, not because you “sinned,” but because your brain’s reward chemistry has been hijacked. Scott explains the health paradox of orgasm—why medical research shows it can be healthy, but the context determines whether it’s nourishing or depleting. Learn how to move from disembodied stimulation to conscious self-connection, and why your partner can’t be your only source of nervous system regulation. This episode is a masterclass in healthy sexuality, providing a roadmap to upgrade your operating system from pixels to presence, from compulsion to conscious choice. It’s not about suppressing your sexuality; it’s about reclaiming your sexual energy and channeling it into your life’s purpose. Key Topics Covered: •The neurological difference between porn and masturbation •How porn hijacks the dopamine system •The crucial role of oxytocin in healthy sexuality •The health paradox of orgasm: function vs. fixation •How to practice conscious self-intimacy •Why your partner can’t be your nervous system •How to channel sexual energy into creative power Connect with The Authentic Masculinity Project: Website: https://beingherenow.com Linktree: https://linktube.com/scottaustinmartin #PornAddiction #HealthySexuality #Dopamine #Oxytocin #NervousSystem #SelfRegulation #SexualHealing #ReforgedPodcast #ScottAustinMartin #MasculineEnergy