How Excessive Porn Use Can Negatively Impact the Brain

Key Points

• High amounts of porn use can negatively impacts key areas of the brain

• Brain functionality is reduced when porn is watched excessively

• Some studies use medical imaging to view the long-term effects of porn on the brain

• Levels of porn use directly correlate to deficits found in the pleasure center of the brain

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There has been a debate for many years in medical and scientific communities regarding the impact porn use has on the brain. While some doctors state that regular masturbation with visual stimulation can be beneficial, studies are finding that watching too much porn can have a significant negative impact on brain connectivity and performance, including areas of the brain that involve memory, decision-making and impulsivity. 

What the Research Shows: Impacts of Excessive Porn Consumption on the Brain 

Access to porn has become increasingly easy over the past two decades, with the majority of content available on the internet. This means that not only is porn available on any device, but it can be viewed anytime. 

Exposure to porn has been found to have negative consequences on the brain when it is viewed excessively. Dr. Aniruddha More, a consulting Neurologist at Jupiter Hospital, explains that porn consumption can rewire the brain and impair its ability to function normally. Dr. More states that brain connectivity and performance are impacted by excessive porn use and areas such as memory, attention and decision-making can all be damaged over time. 

Certain studies have used imaging techniques such as fMRIs to view changes in the brain of people who indicated they watch porn regularly versus those who do not. Results showed that the effects of internet pornography addiction on brain functional connectivity in the prefrontal lobe exhibit characteristics similar to those of drug addiction. In addition, individuals who frequently consume internet pornography report that they experience stronger sexual arousal and heightened pleasure while viewing, which subsequently adversely affects their cognition and emotions. 

Another study in Germany found reduced connectivity between the striatum and the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which led to issues with self-control, long-term planning and decision making skills. 

A team of researchers from Chengdu Medical College in China performed an experiment with 21 heterosexual males, with varying ranges of porn habits. Some of the participants viewed little to no porn while some were categorized with severe levels of porn use. This study also used brain imaging to determine the negative impact of porn use, the focus of this experiment was to measure brain function before and after viewing porn. The students were given tests and had their brains scanned during each attempt. The group that watched less porn overall had higher brain functioning versus those with excessive porn use. The participants that viewed more porn exhibited more subdued behavior, or being zoned out, after watching porn and also showed a higher range of emotional variation while watching porn. 

To connect with Birches Health, you can click here, call 833-483-3838 or email help@bircheshealth.com

How much porn consumption is too much? The line between healthy and compulsive

There is not a specific amount that exclusively indicates a healthy or unhealthy level of porn consumption. Harmful porn use can be identified based on the impact it has on an individuals daily life, and if they are able to manage or regulate their porn use. 

Some research indicates that porn users can be divided into three groups:

• Recreational

• Compulsive 

• Distressed

Those with recreational porn habits viewed an average of 24 minutes of porn per week, versus the distressed group who had 110+ minutes of porn viewing per week. Factors that can also impact if someone's porn use is healthy or compulsive include what compels them to watch porn, how they feel afterwards, if they prioritize porn over other things and if porn impacts their relationships or other parts of life negatively.  

Warning signs of Porn Addiction

It is important to know how to evaluate the symptoms that could indicate a porn addiction. Common warning signs of porn addiction include:

• Withdrawal symptoms when not watching porn

• Inability to stop or reduce the amount of porn being watched

• Porn having a negative impact on relationships

• Prioritizing porn over other responsibilities

• Isolating from friends and/or family

• Mood swings around porn consumption

• Difficulty with sexual performance

• Unrealistic ideas or views around sex

• Guilt or shame regarding porn use

Where to get help for Porn Addiction 

There are multiple options for porn addiction treatment, depending on an individual's needs and the severity of their behaviors. Treatment options for porn addiction can include inpatient facilities, outpatient resources, individual or group therapy. 

Birches Health specializes in virtual counseling and has a full team of therapists who are trained in treating porn addiction. Birches helps reduce the traditional barriers to specialized treatment by providing support anywhere, anytime. Birches also works with all major insurance companies, which can assist in making treatment for porn addiction more affordable. To get started with Birches or get more information on porn addiction treatment, you can:

• Book an appointment 

• Call 833-483-3838

• Email help@bircheshealth.com