What Pornography Does to Your Brain: 5 Key Effects

Bad lighting, bad acting, bad dialogue, awful music, and explicit scenes—pornography can be a highly sensitive subject, sparking diverse opinions. Whether you like it or hate it, one thing we can all agree on is that watching pornography has an effect on your brain. But what exactly does it do, and how often do you need to watch for these effects to take place? Let’s dive into the world of science to explore what pornography does to your brain.

Effects of Availability

When you think of porn, your mind might go straight to the 70s, with shag carpets and pizza boy plotlines. The word “taboo” often comes to mind. In the past, admitting to watching porn was something that was looked down upon and rarely spoken about, much like mentioning Voldemort’s name. Nowadays, it’s much less of an elephant in the room, especially with the rise of the internet. As with most things, the availability of pornography has dramatically increased.

In his 2002 book Strip Tease Culture, Brian McNair stated that about half of all internet activity is sex-related. Fast forward to 2004, when a study conducted by MSNBC and L Magazine found that out of 15,246 participants, 75% of men and 41% of women had downloaded pornography via the internet. The 2008 book The Porning of America explained how the on-demand availability of porn, along with fewer risks like computer viruses, led to more people watching porn and searching for more escalated topics.

When smartphones became widespread, teenagers quickly jumped on the bandwagon, further boosting these numbers. A smartphone is essentially a mobile computer that can easily escape adult supervision, creating a perfect storm for increased exposure to pornographic content.

Effects on the Brain

So, what happens in the brain when someone consumes pornography? Researcher and author Barry Gunter conducted a study that found teen males were more interested in erotic types of pornography and often wished to experience what they watched in real life. Additionally, if participants had a positive or accepting opinion of pornography, they were more frequently aroused while watching it—no surprise there.

Patrick Fagan, PhD, compiled research on the effects of pornography on married individuals with families. His research indicated that pornography could alter someone's perception of what sex should be. He also noted that males who regularly watched pornography had a higher tolerance for unusual or extreme sexual activities, and were more likely to see partners as objects rather than people with intrinsic value. This objectification can be particularly concerning in relationships, leading to skewed views of intimacy.

Effects of Addiction

Like anything else, too much of a good thing can have negative effects, and pornography is no exception. Moderation is key. While chocolate cake might be delicious, eating a slice every day could eventually harm your physical health. The same principle applies to the mind and pornography consumption.

In 2015, a group of researchers noted that frequent exposure to pornography hadn’t been fully studied, suggesting there might be more to the picture than we currently understand. However, a 2011 study by Donald Hilton Jr. and Clark Watts found that brain activity triggered by pornography addiction was identical to that caused by cocaine addiction. A similar study in 2004 showed comparable findings with methamphetamine use. Essentially, the brain’s response to pornography can mimic its response to powerful drugs, leading to addictive behaviors.

Even seemingly harmless addictions, like shopping or excessive online browsing, can result in similar brain activity. So, that relative who’s always ordering from Amazon might be experiencing a form of addiction with comparable neurological patterns to those found in pornography addiction.

Other Studies: It’s Not All Bad

While the majority of studies on pornography seem to paint a negative picture, it’s important to consider other perspectives. In 2016, Gary Wilson reminded us that we shouldn’t hastily label someone as morally corrupt just because they watch porn. His research found that extreme negative effects from pornography overuse were often observed in individuals who already exhibited signs of mental illness. This suggests that there may be underlying factors contributing to these behaviors.

Another 2016 study explored the acceptance of pornography within marriages. The study found that most couples didn’t mind if their spouse watched porn, especially if they both engaged in it, even if not necessarily together. In fact, many wives viewed pornography positively, seeing it as a way to gauge sexual satisfaction. For some, it’s a tool to enhance their relationship, rather than a detriment.

Conclusion: The Impact of Pornography on the Brain

Pornography can still be a sensitive subject, with varying opinions on its impact. For some, it might be a part of their relationship or self-care routine. Regardless of our individual experiences with porn, one thing is certain: consuming it can affect our brain in some way. Whether these effects are positive or negative depends largely on the context in which pornography is viewed and the frequency of consumption.