Does Porn Have a Place in a Meaningful Life? A Neuroscientist's Perspective

Pat welcomes Dr. Nicole Prause, a neuroscientist and sexual psychophysiologist whose groundbreaking research challenges some of the most deeply held beliefs about pornography, addiction, and shame. In a world full of noise, judgment, and moral panic, Dr. Prause offers a data-driven lens on desire, compulsion, and the role of sexuality in a values-based life. Together, they explore the complexities of pleasure, the impact of guilt, and what it really means to grow up in relationship to our bodies and choices. It’s a conversation about embracing nuance, letting go of shame, and aligning our behavior with our deeper purpose.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why the idea of porn “addiction” doesn’t hold up under neuroscience
• How shame—not porn—may be the real source of suffering
• The difference between impulsive vs. compulsive behavior, and why it matters
• How to reconcile pleasure with purpose in a values-driven life
• The surprising overlap between sexual arousal and meditative states
• What the data actually says about porn, connection, and meaningful relationships

Social Media:

• After Peter Pan Podcast: 
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
• Nicole Prause:
  • LinkedIn 
  • Today Show Segment - Studying the Healing Power of Sex
  • TedTalk

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