Are human beings rational or irrational species? 

There are a large number of debates have taken place over this topic in the last few decades.

The truth is, human beings are neither rational nor irrational completely.

Our rational thinking only comes into play when needed and has the capability of switching off at other times. 

But, it is this rational thinking that has gotten us to where we are today.

It is partially responsible for human evolution. 

Our rationality along with our capability to construct and use language is what separates us from other mammals. 

But there are indeed noticeable limits of rational thinking as we know it. Often leading to misjudgments and causing trouble for mankind. 

How is it that at one moment mankind is rational enough to capably create something as amazing and complex as a motor vehicle, but at the same time can be irrational enough to get hit by that same vehicle?

This example shows us the difference between rational thought and intelligence. 

Creating a motor vehicle is a matter of intelligence. Whereas, rash and irresponsible driving is an outcome of improper rationality. 

While our ability to think rationally has tremendously helped us in the past, it has also created many problems. 

Especially for people with addictions and obsessive disorders, where rationalization causes more harm than good. 

Limits of Rational Thinking That Affect Addiction Issues

If you’ve dealt with an addiction or have been around an addict, you would’ve noticed certain changes in their behavior.

Once someone starts substance abuse, over time there is a shift in their personality.

They slowly begin to say and do things that would be considered out of character for them.  

But, the fact is that these changes are out of their control. After a certain period of substance usage, there occur certain changes in the brain chemistry that alter how an individual thinks and acts. 

The brain tries to rationalize the addiction and drives the person deeper into the pit of addiction. 

This does not hold true only for drug and alcohol addiction. It is also the same for a behavioral addiction like porn addiction. 

Once you get addicted to porn, your brain focuses on maintaining the addiction rather than beating it. 

What an addict thinks are rational thoughts are completely irrational and does not help their case at all. 

The Irrational Mind Of A Porn Addict

When dealing with an addiction, a person thinking capabilities are clouded by many things. The two main aspects that affect an addict’s rational thinking capabilities are:

The Addiction

Porn addiction is a disease. 

Like any other disease, addiction affects a person both mentally and physically. 

This is all a matter of natural selection. When a person consumes or feels something that brings them pleasure, then they naturally want more of it. 

If this feeling is not controlled, then this is what leads to addiction. 

Watching porn might feel good, but it is altering your brain chemistry as you watch it. 

This is why even when you start noticing the side effects of porn addiction like Erectile Dysfunction and Insomnia, you still cannot bring yourself to stop watching it.

The Brain

This is the second reason why an addict acts irrationally.

Once you form an addiction, your brain changes after building up a dependency on substances. 

Especially with pornography, which is an escalating behavior. One can get addicted to porn very quickly.

The more you watch porn, the more it gets used to the dopamine released from it. Soon becoming dependent on that dopamine. Craving it more and more.

Your brain starts to control your actions. Making you believe your actions are rational, when in fact they’re not rational at all. 

This is why it is not fair to say that addicts are simply choosing the hole they fell into. 

It is not as simple as that. Addiction and recovery are not that black and white.

5 Limits of Rational Thinking for a Person facing the Porn Problem 

Sometimes when you’re dealing with an addiction, you yourself will not be able to really understand why you do the things that you do.

That’s actually the crux behind the limits of rational thinking

The changes in your mind and body can be beyond your understanding and control sometimes. Only when you fully comprehend what is happening in and around you, will you able to able to put an end to this addiction once and for all. 

If you’re dealing with porn addiction, here are some instances to give you a better understanding of how your brain tricks you into thinking that you’re being rational. While in reality that is not the case. 

Once you’re aware, you can actively make an effort to try and avoid these thought processes.

#1 The Failure Mindset

Addicts often tend to generalize every single negative situation and come to the conclusion that there is nothing but failure written in their destiny. 

Get rid of this mindset.

Playing the victim here will not get you anywhere. It’ll only leave you stuck in the same hole. 

The idea that you can’t do anything right or that you will always be a failure has been repeatedly disproved by you trying to quit. So, focus on the effort put in rather than on the outcome at the end.

The fundamental principle of nature is CHANGE! 

So, if you don’t like the direction you’re heading in, you can always change the direction. 

Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Not even your own brain. 

#2 Toxic Positivity

Have you heard of “toxic positivity” before?

Toxic can be defined as the excessive and ineffective overgeneralization of a happy, optimistic state across all situations. 

It’s the mindset that everything will be alright in the end no matter what.

This is a false notion.

The process of toxic positivity results in the denial, minimization, and invalidation of the authentic human emotional experience.

While it’s no good to be a negative nancy, it’s also best to stay away from toxic positivity.

Things will only work out in the end if you work towards the goals you want to achieve.

Your porn addiction isn’t going to disappear by itself one day just because you believe that it will. If you make the decision to quit porn, you need to put in constant effort till you achieve your end goals. 

#3 Everything’s Black and White

This is an extremely false assumption. 

Not everything can be a simple black and white situation. Especially not an addiction.

Just because you had one set back does not mean it’s the end of your life or career. In recovery, there is no such thing as a failure or a dead end.

There is no denying that throughout recovery there will be some mistakes and mistakes, but never a dead-end.

You need to stop looking at life from a black and white perspective and broaden your mindset to welcome better oppurtunities into your life.

#4 Emotional Reasoning

You might believe how you feel internally is an exact reflection of reality. But often that’s not true at all. 

Just because you think something or feel a certain way, doesn’t mean it’s the ultimate truth.

In order to have a successful recovery from porn addiction, you need to separate yourself from everything that goes on inside your head impulsively.

The best way to do this is with breathing exercises and meditation. 

Separate yourself from inner thoughts. Don’t accept them blindly, learn to challenge them.

#5 Fortune Teller Attitude

You often act like you can read minds or tell the fortune when all you’re doing is jumping to conclusions and making assumptions.

You assume that people think you’re pathetic or that everyone’s going to leave you one day, so what’s the quitting now?

This is just your brain trying to rationalize your addiction. 

Get rid of this mindset. 

How would you react to someone else struggling with pornography? 

You’d be sympathetic and understanding. Stop assuming that others are judging you and start believing they have your best interest in mind. 

The Solution 

As mentioned above, the only solution is to separate yourself from your thoughts. 

From now on, start questioning your thoughts. Don’t just accept them blindly. 

Start your journey towards quitting porn, with a clear head, free from all the false rationalizations your brain is providing. 

Take some time to genuinely think about all the mental traps mentioned above. 

You may not be able to relate to all of them. But, if you’re currently dealing with a porn problem, then you’re sure to have come across at least one way of thinking mentioned above. 

The key to beating all these limits of rational thinking is becoming as self-aware as possible. 

Start noticing the patterns in your life, your trigger point, your pitfalls, learn everything about yourself. 

Don’t be too hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, they are a natural part of life. 

You aren’t meant to know everything. 

Life is a collection of mistakes, so learn from your mistakes. It is impossible to grow without making mistakes. You need to accept this fact first and foremost.

Figure out which method of quitting porn works the best for you and make active efforts. It won’t be long before you taste freedom from porn!