Why are you addicted to porn?
To understand why you’re addicted to porn, it helps to first understand how addiction works.
An addiction is an urge to do a harmful activity without having the control to stop. This is typically caused by increased extracellular levels of dopamine - a neurotransmitter that makes you feel “good”.
Activities that increase dopamine levels include cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, and orgasms induced by pornography.
What is Porn Addiction?
Porn addiction is the inability to stop looking at porn while still continuing to experience negative physical, mental, and emotional effects - including sexual dysfunction. Pornography use is additionally correlated with relationship and employment problems.
Perspectives on the use of pornography differ across society. For example, some mainstream websites claim that there is nothing “inherently wrong” with looking at porn - however the growing body of scientific studies proves otherwise. Evidence concerning how porn affects relationships and physical health continues to mount as mental health professionals address this increasing problem.
The Addiction Journey
Porn Addiction Causes
There are many porn addiction causes that include mental issues, relationship difficulties, and neurochemical imbalances. While many of these causes have persisted throughout history, increased availability is the leading cause driving the skyrocketing numbers of pornography addiction seen today.
In the past, pornography was accessed through printed materials, audio, and film. Therefore, obtaining pornography was difficult and carried numerous risks, such as being discovered by family, friends, and professional colleagues.
Accessing pornography today is much more accessible through personal devices on the internet. Many people also believe their searches are private, however that is not the case. Most internet activity is monitored and recorded by search engines and social media websites - and private browsing does not provide additional security.
Here are some critical internet pornography statistics to consider:
- There are an estimated 40 million x-rated websites in the United States today (and growing)
- Pornographic content represents 25% of all internet searches and over a third of all downloads
- 40 million people regularly visit porn sites in the US alone
- The pornography industry is estimated at $97 billion
- Pornography use increases the marital infidelity rate by more than 300%
- According to the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families, 40% of self-identified “sex addicts” lose their spouses, 58% suffer considerable financial losses, and 33% lose their jobs
- 93% of 22,484 pornography websites leak user data to a third party, according to a recent study
So whether you think you may be addicted to watching porn or not, please keep in mind that your activity is not private. Pornography is a growing industry, and external data companies track what you are viewing and log all your activity.
Signs of Porn Addiction
Signs of internet porn addiction include:
- Sexual dysfunction, lack of vaginal lubrication, inability to maintain erections
- Inability to stop despite any damage to relationships, work, or wellbeing
- Losing track of time while watching porn
- Marital difficulties
- Consumed with thoughts of pornography against your will
- Feelings of shame, guilt, and depression
Learn more about the signs of porn addiction.
Neurochemistry of Porn Addiction
Porn addiction is more complex than just being “addicted to jerking off”. While viewing pornography, the neurochemical activity taking place is similar to “fireworks” going off in the brain.
Pornography excites specific brain regions that excrete dopamine - a critical neurotransmitter produced in the brain that acts as a “reward center”. Viewing pornographic scenes and subsequent climaxing create intense rushes of dopamine that temporarily feel “good” and cause addiction over time.
Frequent and powerful dopamine secretions have adverse effects because “what goes up, must come down”. According to Rachel Anne Barr from the Laval University in Canada, porn erodes the prefrontal cortex and reverts the brain to a more juvenile state.
“'The much greater irony is that while porn promises to satisfy and provide sexual gratification, it delivers the opposite,” said Barr in recent statements. “Science is only just beginning to reveal the neurological repercussions of porn consumption.
“It is already clear that the mental health and sex lives of its widespread audience are suffering catastrophic effects. From depression to erectile dysfunction, porn appears to be hijacking our neural wiring with dire consequences.”
Click here for pornography addiction help.
Porn Addiction Treatment
Overcoming porn addiction is easy once you understand why you are using pornography.
There are many ways to quit porn addiction, including behavioural therapy, group sessions, and treatment.
For individuals that want to maintain privacy, the LadderOut App provides a safe and secure way to break free from porn addiction.
Click here to discover how LadderOut works.
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To get started, take our free private test to learn more about your pornography addiction.
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