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The relationship between the brain and porn is a mystery to most. So many people have shared with me how pornography has affected their brain and ultimaltely their relationships. Many women try to understand why their partner seems to be addicted to it? Seems like they just can’t get enough of it! And it’s NOT just men that enjoy viewing it. It may be they are just more vocal about it. There are many addictions out there that bear similar “symptoms” and sexually-related addictions do exist. What are the signs you may be an addict?
- Do you sometimes feel a loss of control over your need to watch explicit material?
- Do you find yourself compulsively seeking it out despite negative consequences?
- Do you get bored easily of the things you watch and need to find new sources?
- Is your tolerance for porn high or low?
- Do you experience withdrawal if you haven’t watched it in a while?
The pornography industry is a billion dollar industry and what was once taboo and difficult to acquire seems to NOW be available at your local convenience store, by the click of a mouse, or the tap of a key on your mobile device. It’s so mainstream and the industry is explosive. More explicit material and fetishes and want for different exploitive content is never-ending.
In my research about the effects pornography has on our brain and why it is so addictive; I came across a website called www.yourbrainonporn.com. There was also an interesting and informative video that talks about “The demise of guys” in relation to what is up and an explanation for the obsession for it. You can watch that video below.
“All addictive substances and activities share one thing – the ability to strongly elevate dopamine levels. Watching porn, accumulating money, gaining power over others, gambling, compulsive shopping, video games…if something really boosts your dopamine,then it’s potentially addictive for you.”
Your brain on sex, Article by Marnia Robinson and Gary Wilson
My research seems to point to the fact that any activities that INCREASE dopamine production can become quite addictive. What is dopamine?
Dopamine is an excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter, depending on the dopamine receptor it binds to. It is derived from the amino acid tyrosine. Dopamine is the precursor to norepinephrine and epinephrine, which are all catecholamines. The function of dopamine is diverse but plays a large role in the pleasure/reward pathway (addiction and thrills), memory, and motor control.
Since dopamine is also released in sexual excitement (masturbation and sex itself), it increases the sex drive in both sexes, it’s released in orgasm, and activates the brain’s pleasure and reward centers; it CAN be addictive. There are many interesting facts about sex and one of them is there are over 40 million Americans that subscribe to it on a regular basis!
Every time one masturbates and gets sexually aroused they release dopamine which triggers desireable feelings. Orgasm releases dopamine in the brain & one can become just as addicted to porn as you can be to drugs. And similar to drug use, the addiction can intensify. The reward networks grow stronger each time the porn addict indulges with his/her addiction to porn.
Please watch the video below that talks about the “demise of men” as it relates to this topic.
It can be argued that porn may be “bad” for some people. All addictions are not healthy for obvious reasons so be sure to take action and get help if you suspect or recognize that you or someone you know may be an addict. Your brain needs to have the proper amount of stimulation on all levels and any sign of addiction should have you seeking the help you need or taking control of your activities. Pornography will never replace the physical presence of a lover or a wonderful loving partner for those of you in exclusive relationships.
We welcome any questions that you have about this topic and would love to hear your thoughts about this matter in the comments section below.
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9 thoughts on “The Relationship Between The Brain and Porn”
My 2 cents, I think watching Porn is good for both parties alone and together. I enjoy Porn and its so HOTT when I can watch it with my partner during sex. It comes serious when you are watching it to get and achieve your orgasm because your partner doesnt do it for you any more. [:(]
I feel that serious discussion is always what should be done on this issue and that you should respect what your partner feels and live by the rules.
Thanks for your insight and thanks for reading mine.
Have a great week ahead.
Hey M. Thanks for your feedback and insight! Yes porn watched and shared between 2 couples can be “HOTT” as you put it. It’s when one starts to treat porn like an addiction and have it affect their life in a negative way. Such as being distracted, being isolated, becoming obsessive and not ever feeling satisfied. Or when porn replaces personal relationships and contacts with people.
Many couples argue about the subject and it can be a source of resentment for others when porn replaces and affects someone’s sex life in a negative way.
Hey M. Thanks for your feedback and insight! Yes porn watched and shared between 2 couples can be “HOTT” as you put it. It’s when one starts to treat porn like an addiction and have it affect their life in a negative way. Such as being distracted, being isolated, becoming obsessive and not ever feeling satisfied. Or when porn replaces personal relationships and contacts with people.
Many couples argue about the subject and it can be a source of resentment for others when porn replaces and affects someone’s sex life in a negative way.
I agree with your statement..
I think that with effective communication between a couple, this can all be avoided. In this day and age couples forget that talking is as important as ever!! If we spent the time to talk, discuss, and even debate our relationships can go further and more so be that much move loving.
Porn can be good for both, but talking about it first is the key to any HOTT Sex life with your partner and it could also help you in the bedroom if your not the Pornstar you thought you were. Lets face it, especially Men always think that there Pornstars and should take it down a notch and listen to their partners because you could learn something.
Keep up the great reads and more so dialogues.
Hi M,
I couldn’t agree with you more about “effective communication”. Porn can be offensive to some and the challenge is when PORN becomes more interesting than the partner who is there in the room! lol
You definitely need to respect one another’s needs and wants and be sure that whatever you introduce in the bedroom or to your partner that it is done with consideration of the other person’s feelings. It’s interesting that you think “men” think they are porn stars…I know a few ladies that would probably argue women are more the role players 🙂
Thanks again M for your thoughts!
I am a widow—happily married for many years from the age of 17. My husband and I had a great life and I lost him to cancer after a brave battle. I never knew porn existed…I know he had playboy ect, but we never discussed it. 2 years later I discovered online porn. My new bf could not believe I had never seen (also never played a video game, did not watch tv…very sheltered) and showed it to me—I am immediately hooked–to the point it made my bf uncomfortable (who enjoys it himself)
really hooked—dailey—want to quit—I have learned so much—never heard of dp, facials tho my hubby and i did things other than vanilla—backdoor for instance– I did not know this world existed and now I can’t stop—and it has ramped up my desire 1,000% I am telling you this from the view of a 50 y/od childless (couldn’t) women who was introduced to this at age 50 and now has a real problem. I am fit (size 4) and look 15 years younger (genes) but now I am afraid of what I might be capable of as I have been protected so long….I will try therapy to stop—it is interfering in my life and I have to hide it now that my bf senses I like it too much—so yes, from my perspective it is dangerous, and addicting, I guess I am venting because I don’t know where to turn and no one I know would ever believe it if they knew—-poor teenagers—I can’t even imagine being raised with this….
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