Brain Science and Porn
Presented by Dr. Donald Hilton, Dr. William Struthers, and Dr. Ted Roberts, April 5, 2021
Donald L. Hilton, Dr. William Struthers, and Dr. Ted Roberts, three of the world’s leading experts on brain science and pornography, shared how porn affects a person’s nervous system:
- Pornography can change your brain. Viewing it releases dopamine and causes a similar reaction to your brain as drug use.
- Chemicals in the brain, such as oxytocin, can cause one to bond with fantasy and reject reality.
- We should try to love those struggling with pornography as much as God loves them. We should replace self-esteem with God-esteem.
Question: How long do you have to be away from pornography in order for your brain to recover from it?
Answer: An educated guess would be one or two years–similar to someone who ended drug use. It depends on where you are at in your development, your age, and other factors. It also depends on what the reason for porn use was and whether the person has other addictions.
Donald L. Hilton, Jr. M.D. graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Lamar University, and cum laude with a medical degree from the University of Texas, where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He was trained as a neurosurgeon at the University of Tennessee, and is a clinical associate professor of neurosurgery at the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio.
Dr. Hilton speaks nationally and internationally in the field of minimally invasive spinal surgery, and has published book chapters, peer-reviewed journal papers, and developed techniques widely used in this subspecialty. He is currently listed in Best Doctors in America, and as a Texas Super Doctor and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Dr. Hilton also publishes and speaks on the subject of pornography and sexual addiction. He and his wife received the “Guardian of the Light” award from the anti-pornography organization Lighted Candle Society in 2008, where Dr. Hilton gave the keynote address, “Pornography and the Brain: Understanding the Addiction.” He authored the book He Restoreth My Soul, which explores the effects of pornography on the brain, along with spiritual paradigms of healing. His publications on the subject include
- Pornography Addiction: A Neuroscience Perspective. Surgical Neurology International, manuscript in press, Donald L. Hilton Jr., MD, Clark Watts, MD, JD.
- Slavemaster: How Pornography Drugs and Changes Your Brain. Salvo Magazine.
- Hagelin: Addiction to Porn is Real, Destructive. Washington Times
- “As a Swallowed Bait: How Pornography Addicts and Changes the Brain.” BYU Law School, “Stand for the Family” Symposium.
He and his wife, Jana, are the parents of five children and have three grandchildren.
Dr. Struthers’ lab research interests are in the neural mechanisms that underlie behavioral arousal and the processing of novel environments. His research employs the use of stereotaxic surgery, immunochemistry, and behavioral manipulations to investigate gene expression in the cingulate cortex and basal ganglia.
He is actively involved in the Wheaton College Animal Care and Use Committee and has served as the chair of the Institutional Review Board, committees which oversee the ethical treatment of animals and human subjects in research. His professional memberships include the Society for Neuroscience, Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience, Association for Psychological Science, and International Neuroethics Society. He recently received a grant from the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, an interdisciplinary research enterprise based at St Edmund’s College, Cambridge University (UK) to examine uses and abuses of neuroscience research in society. Dr. Struthers has also been named a Visiting Research Fellow to Biola University’s Center for Christian Thought in 2014 for his work on the impact of sexual exploitation on spirituality, and is part of the Oxford Interdisciplinary Seminars in Science and Religion: Bridging the Two Cultures of Science and the Humanities.
Dr. Struthers married his wife in 1993 and they have been blessed with three children. Dr. Struthers was born in Chicago but grew up in northwestern Pennsylvania. He is an avid fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams (Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates), J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings, and Battlestar Galactica. When he finds time he enjoys reading comic books, supporting Arsenal in the Premier League, and listening to The Call, Joe Satriani, and U2.
Dr. Ted Roberts served as a USMC fighter pilot and platoon leader, flying close air support missions. In 1970, Ted Roberts met Jesus Christ in a bunker while under a rocket attack in Vietnam. Ted eventually finished his tour in the Marine Corps Squadron VMA-311. Upon returning to the United States, Ted served as a safety officer and flight instructor in Training Squadron VT-21 and attended Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
In 1976 the Lord suddenly and unexpectedly changed the course of Dr. Ted’s life by calling him into ministry. Having graduated with honors in math and astrophysics, Ted earned his Master’s Degree at Asbury Theological Seminary and Doctorate from Western Conservative Theological Seminary. Dr. Ted has served in numerous ministry leadership positions that include; Founder and Clinical Director of Pure Desire Ministries International, Academic Dean of a bible college, and for 23 years Senior Pastor of East Hill Church in Gresham, Oregon. Under Dr. Ted’s leadership, and in one of the most unchurched areas of the country, East Hill Church grew to over 7,000 members.
In 2007 Dr. Ted stepped away from the pulpit to engage in a new battle and to commit his time and energy to the development of Pure Desire Ministries International. This time around, the battle is for sexual purity and healing in the church. Dr. Ted has authored 12 books that include the bestseller, Pure Desire and the addiction recovery manual titled Seven Pillars of Freedom.
Dr. Ted is a certified sex addiction and multiple addiction professional. He worked closely with IITAP (International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals) and Dr. Patrick Carnes to create an officially recognized designation for pastors (PSAP) who work in the field of sex addiction treatment. Dr. Ted’s current roles include Clinical Director, Pure Desire Ministries International, conference speaker, and writer.
In 2013 Dr. Ted hosted and was co-writer for the educational video series titled Conquer Series. The series also earned a highest recommendation for video documentary from Christian Film Database.
Presently, Dr Ted continues to write. His current work is the development of a relapse prevention manual. Ted and has wife Diane counsel pastors and leaders from around the nation who are trapped in sexual bondage. The couple also travels the world declaring the freedom and grace of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Ted and Diane reside in Gresham Oregon and where they enjoy time with their two adult children and four grandchildren.
