Pornography Articles

Because pornography is often viewed as a “private” topic, it can be challenging to receive accurate and up-to-date information on the impacts of consuming it. Therefore, it can be helpful to look at studies on pornography and the mental health impacts it can have on the mind and body.

The negative effects of pornography

In the modern day, a significant portion of the internet’s traffic comes from porn sites. 58% of all Americans have watched pornography at one point in their life. People may also lie about their usage, afraid to be seen by their loved ones as shameful. 

Watching pornography can be moral and safe when looking at ethically made porn between consenting adults. However, using pornography compulsively can become unhealthy, and some people form a porn addiction. Porn can be chemically addictive, releasing dopamine. Dopamine is considered the “reward” chemical in your brain. Over time, less and less dopamine may be released, causing people to start watching pornography more often and consume more extreme themes.  

Someone with a porn addiction may become withdrawn from the world and be desensitized to challenging themes. Because of this, some pornography sites offer videos of unrealistic or unhealthy scenarios.

The negative impacts of pornography use 

Porn can be problematic to mental health and relationships when used excessively or due to its themes. Below are some of its most prominent impacts:

• Difficulties in relationships
• Sexual dysfunction
• An unreasonable expectation of sex
• Dopamine rush and dependency
• Desensitization to unhealthy themes
• Depression and anxiety

Although pornography isn’t inherently unhealthy, it does come with risks. Someone watching too much porn may benefit from the support of a counselor or therapist. It could be a sign of depression, low confidence in their sexual abilities, or another challenge. If porn is adversely affecting your life, consider reaching out for help.  

Pornography and marriage 

People have significantly divided opinions on watching pornography when married. Some people believe looking at pornography while married is cheating. Others may believe it’s problematic but not cheating, whereas some may watch porn together or encourage each other to explore sexuality healthily. 

Couples who watch porn together may see it to spice up a marriage and get in the mood for sexual intimacy. However, other couples may experience jealousy if their partner watches porn, especially if the people in the video don’t look like them or like someone from that person’s past. While the partner watching porn may likely not meet this porn star, the jealous spouse may believe their partner doesn’t find them attractive, which can cause a rift in the marriage.

Watching pornography can lead to fights and less sex, which may cause a partner with a porn dependency to continue turning to porn for emotional relief. If you or your partner have mixed feelings about pornography, you may benefit from seeking the help of a counselor or therapist to resolve these differences. 

Pornography addiction

Porn addiction refers to the compulsive use of pornography in a way that causes mental or physical harm to oneself or others. Some sites that campaign against porn addiction may discuss this topic in the realm of religion. However, these sites may also be anti-porn in general.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), porn addiction is not yet a diagnosis. There are no diagnostic criteria that a psychiatrist can follow to determine if a person has a porn addiction or is interested in porn. However, people may have similar behaviors and compulsions with porn as with other types of addictions, making porn addiction a theory but not yet a cause.

Porn addiction may not have been thoroughly studied yet because of a societal taboo toward pornography. In addition, porn wasn’t always as easily accessible as it is now. In the past, people had to buy a magazine or a video at a store to interact with this content. In the present, it can be easy for anyone, including the wrong people, to look at porn. An underage person can claim they’re 18+ by clicking a button, which can make online pornography dangerous.  

On some platforms, people can interact with their favorite sex workers through social media, paying for messages or custom content. The availability of new types of pornography allows more people to spend more time online interacting with it, which may cause symptoms like an internet or sex addiction. If you believe you might be living with this challenge, seeking support from a licensed professional can be crucial. 

Support options 

If you believe you may be living with a pornography addiction or are struggling with your relationships and personality due to your pornography usage, it may be beneficial to reach out to a therapist. However, because of porn’s taboo nature, some people may avoid seeking help. In these cases, online therapy through platforms like BetterHelp for individuals and ReGain for couples may be a more discreet choice. 

You can sign up under a nickname through an online platform and choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions. If you’re nervous about talking to the therapist about this topic, you might start by trying chat therapy, which can be as effective as in-person options. One study found that chat therapy could be as effective as in-person interventions in reducing symptoms of conditions like depression and anxiety, which may sometimes accompany addictions.

Takeaway 

Pornography is a complex topic that can raise different opinions in different people. To get up-to-date research about pornography and mental health, consider reading the above articles or contacting a licensed therapist for further guidance. You’re not alone, and support is available.