Porn Addiction – 3 Main Physiological Problems That Arise

It’s impossible to understand pornography’s impact on relationships without considering the role of the Internet. Years ago, it was a time-consuming —often expensive—chore to find new and titillating erotica. But in the last couple of decades, the range of explicit material available online has exponentially accelerated the appeal and use of porn.

It’s impossible to understand pornography’s impact on relationships without considering the role of the Internet. Years ago, it was a time-consuming —often expensive—chore to find new and titillating erotica. But in the last couple of decades, the range of explicit material available online has exponentially accelerated the appeal and use of porn.

Trying to explain the Internet’s effect on porn addiction, sex researcher Al Cooper has written that its driving force is the “Triple-A engine of Access, Affordability, and Anonymity.” It may take 30 years of excessive drinking to ruin an alcoholic’s health, but only a year of heavy cocaine use can lead to a total mental and physical collapse. For some porn users, the Internet has become a kind of virtual cocaine.

The three main physiological problems of porn addiction are:

  1. Brain changes
  2. Chemical changes
  3. Erectile dysfunction

#1 Physiological Problem of Porn Addiction—Brain Changes

In his 2007 book, The Brain That Changes Itself, Norman Doidge describes two different types of pleasure experienced by our brains—and the one that contributes to porn addiction. Exciting pleasure is when we imagine enjoying a delicious meal or having sex (or watching porn), which increases our appetite for it and triggers dopamine, raising our tension levels.

Satisfying pleasure takes place when we actually eat the meal or engage in sexual activity, releasing the endorphins that give a peaceful and euphoric bliss. Watching porn hyperactivates the appetitive system, but keeps the viewer excited and longing for it, rather than being satisfied by it. Thus the brain becomes hardwired to porn’s stimulation.

#2 Physiological Problem of Porn Addiction—Chemical Changes

Watching porn can trigger the release of a cascade of pleasurable hormones and chemicals such as dopamine, adrenaline, oxytocin and endorphins. One of these, Phenylethelamine—PEA for short—is an essential hormone for those addicted to inherently risky behaviors like gambling, shoplifting, bungee jumping, and sex.  PEA’s molecular structure is similar to the amphetamines, and it is strongest when first released.  (Many individuals grown dependent on drugs and alcohol say they always try to re-experience the feeling they enjoyed during their very first high.)

PEA and sexual arousal are both strongly enhanced by the awareness of risk, danger, and fear.  The higher the fear and risk involved, the more PEA gets released.  Part of the thrill arises from the real danger of being caught, which occurs frequently with those suffering with hypersexuality.

However, repeated stimulation with these internal chemicals will cloud and deaden one’s sexual feelings and the desire for interaction with other human beings.

#3 Physiological Problem of Porn Addiction—Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

As a result of watching too much pornography, high numbers of young men in their 20s and 30s are experiencing erectile disorders and delayed ejaculation. We therapists have found that asking these men to stop viewing porn but still masturbate allowed them to regain their ability to achieve erections and ejaculate as before. From this, it follows that continued and excessive amounts of porn can rewire the brain  to respond to  Internet images and not to a flesh-and-blood partner. It also desensitizes porn addicts to a partner’s physical touch. To achieve and maintain an erection, desire for a partner is imperative. So in the absence of desire, drugs such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra won’t work to overcome ED.