Let’s Talk About Porn: Killer of Love, Thief of Desire (Part 2: The Effects of Porn Use)

In part one, we saw some bewildering statistics about pornography and explored why it’s so prevalent and dangerous: accessibility, affordability, and anonymity. I encourage you to read that article before proceeding. I’ve laid my cards out on the table here at the beginning about why I believe pornography is harmful in more ways than one. If I were to bring up my beliefs in popular culture, I might encounter some of the following arguments for why porn isn’t so bad.

“But Pornography Has Always Been Around!”

One might argue that pornography has always been a part of the human experience in one way or another, and that its impact isn’t a big deal. We could make the same argument about all sorts of evils. Stealing, racism, greed, and pride have also been around as long as humans have, but that doesn’t mean we should just accept them. We fight against those things because we see the negative impact they have on our homes and communities, and the fight against something like pornography is just as worthy. It’s time to open our eyes to the impact of this problem and take the data seriously.

Beyond that, pornography in today’s world is vastly different than a generation ago. We’ve gone from printed centerfolds to an endless supply high definition porn in any form you want for as long as you want. This coupled with the three A’s above make it an extremely dangerous and addictive problem (accessibility, affordability, anonymity).

“Porn is incomparably more accessible and more extreme than anything before seen, even a generation ago—a couple of ratty old centerfold magazines found in the park are nothing compared to the hardcore, high-definition videos that minors have access to today.”

fighthenewdrug.org

“But It Doesn’t Hurt Anyone!”

Another argument is that watching porn doesn’t hurt anyone. It’s a harmless pastime, an enjoyable release, and it might even be healthy for you. Is that true? Is pornography harmless?

Does pornography hurt anyone? It’s a question worth asking.

What about the people in the video? That woman is someone’s daughter; that man is someone’s son. It’s well documented that drug and alcohol abuse are common in the porn industry, and organizations like fightthenewdrug are beginning to shed light on how pornography is linked with sex trafficking.

Does pornography affect our families and workplaces? It’s a question worth asking.

There is a significant correlation between porn use and related issues like marital dissatisfaction, sexual performance problems, and mental health disorders. Children and teens develop unhealthy views of sex and sexuality. Porn has been shown to encourage negative attitudes toward women and plays a role in sexual violence. In the workplace, up to 28% of workers with a computer have visited porn sites. People have lost jobs due to pornography.

Does pornography affect you? It’s a question worth asking.

I believe the ultimate effect is on you. Your heart, mind, and soul are precious things. And you only get one shot at protecting them. A wise man once said “Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23, NLT). Pornography changes the way you view others, yourself, and your sexual desires. Everything we see and take in matters. Protect your eyes and your heart with all you have.

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.

1 Peter 2:11 NIV

Following this, let’s talk about porn’s impact on your brain.

Porn’s Effect on the Brain

A brain hooked on pornography doesn’t look much different than one hooked on a drug. With repeated exposure, the parts of our brains responsible for decision making and will-power begin to shrink, making it harder and harder to stop using or watching. I’m not one to claim to be an expert in how the brain works, but reading about how your brain chemicals work together to help you find pleasure and peace is a fascinating thing.

getdoc.com

When someone experiences sexual pleasure (whether during intercourse or while watching porn), dopamine is released into the brain, causing a sharp sense of focus and craving. There is such a great sense of pleasure that just thinking about this experience later will cause your brain to get a hit of dopamine so that you’re more likely to seek out that pleasure again.

Norepinephrine is also released, which is “the brain’s version of adrenaline.” In essence it tells you get ready because something is about to happen and we need to be ready for it. Oxytocin and vasopressin are also released, which help us store long term memories. Our memory is bound to that thing or person that gave us sexual pleasure.

Next, endorphins (“natural opiates”) are released, causing us to feel a “high” or sense of pleasure throughout the body. After sexual release, serotonin levels change, brining calm and relaxation.

To put it more simply:

In a simple scenario, the brains says, “I saw porn….It felt good. In the future, let’s do it again. Really, I need this again. I’m not sure I’m getting what I need. How about a little more?” Mix in the anxiety and excitement of using the forbidden, the fear of being caught, and even secrecy, and the brain learns even faster during these intense emotional bursts. With each repetition the brain receives powerful cocktails of signals and hormones that ensure future cravings.”

The Porn Circuit, covenanteyes.com

This process works EXACTLY like it is supposed to…when you are having sex with the one you love. With each sexual experience, my wife and I grow closer and closer together relationally and chemically. We literally become more bonded to one another and my brain learns that this one person is the object of my desire. My craving for sexual release is bonded with her and is strengthened over and over again.

Pornography use, like drug use, short-circuits all of those normal processes to give users an unnatural high. This can actually lead to the stoppage of dopamine production in the brain, causing the need to seek out greater and greater highs to reach the same level of dopamine.

Sound like an addiction to you?

Porn, like any addiction, can be overcome. If neglected, those pathways will eventually be replaced by newer, better habits that don’t involve addiction. Pornography promises what it can never deliver; It takes you farther than you wanted to go, keeps you longer than you wanted to stay, and costs you more than you were willing to pay.

For more on how it affects the brain, check out this article.

“I made a solemn pact with myself never to undress a girl with my eyes.”

Job 31:1 MSG

Conclusion

Pornography provides a wicked, enticing cocktail to which many have fallen prey. If you’ve ever struggled with pornography, you’re not alone and you have no need to be ashamed. In our last article, we will discuss how it can affect the intimacy you have with your spouse as well as how to get back on the path to hope and freedom.

I’m honored you’ve read this far on such a difficult topic. I hope something you’ve read has been encouraging or helpful. Thanks for reading!