Does viewing porn really affect the brain?
Yes!
Thanks to the latest advances in neuroscience, we now know that sexually arousing images (pornography) imprint and alter the brain, triggering an instant, involuntary, but lasting, biochemical memory trail. For an excellent summary of how viewing pornography affects the brain see How Pornography Impacts The Brain.
Latter-day Saint professionals support the fact that the brain changes while viewing pornography – See Dr. Hilton’s book
He Restoreth My Soul.
Christian professionals support this fact- See Dr. McIlhaney and Dr. Bush’s book
Hooked: New Science on How Casual Sex is Affecting Our Children
Sex-Specific Treatment professionals support this fact – See Dr. Patrick Carnes website
Why don’t sexual addicts “just stop” their destructive behavior?
U.S. Senate
And yes even the U.S. Senate has heard testimonies from –Dr. Reisman, Dr. Satinover, Dr. Layden, and Dr. Weaver. See -
U.S. Senate Hearing on the Brain Science Behind Pornography Addiction
Medical Professionals
In a recent Neurology Journal read “Pornography Addiction: A Neuroscience Perspective” in Surgical Neurology International Journal (February 24, 2011) co-authored by Donald Hilton Jr., M.D. and Clark Watts, Esq. The article concludes:
Pornography is not only addictive, but that the functional and structural damage to the brain from pornography addiction is the same that occurs from addiction to substances such as cocaine or methamphetamine.
The article goes on to conclude:
“Even more pertinent are recent papers published in 2010 describing the effect of sexuality on neuroplasticity.” (The process by which the body produces new brain cells.) “In one study, sexual experience has been shown to induce alterations in medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens similar to those seen with drugs of abuse.” That is to say that the repeated exposure to pornography causes the brain to produce new cells that enhance the addiction to pornography and overpower the left prefrontal cortex which would ordinarily protect the addict from engaging in self-destructive behavior.” (Pornography Addiction: A Neuroscience Perspective)
Check out the video: Webisode: Why pornography is so addicting
Summary
We have learned the hard data of sexology supports the fact that viewing pornography changes the “pleasure” chemistry of the brain.
“Pornography addiction” is a very powerful process. A process we should learn more about. For additional information see Porn Harms. This is an organization dedicated to providing the most accurate peer-reviewed research on the harm from pornography, along with relevant news and opinion.
Voices For Virtue
