5 Concerning Facts About Porn
There’s no doubt that porn is scarier than you think. First of all, the adult and pornographic websites industry has tremendous sway in negatively influencing culture, from our ideas about beauty to how we marginalize at-risk individuals. Second, porn is harmful to real relationships and the fulfillment of real sex. And third, consuming porn can rewire the brain, and not for the better.
If you still need convincing, here are five scary facts about porn that are often overlooked.
1. Porn Pushes a Constant Craving for More
When an individual watches porn, more and more content and variety are inevitably required to reach the same “high” that was achieved initially. This “escalation effect” pushes consumers’ curiosity further and further into extreme and often violent versions of pornography.
2. Porn Deepens Emotional Difficulties
After consuming porn, individuals are often left with feelings of negativity and anxiety. This can happen because what is viewed is often traumatic in nature, it often leads to lower self-esteem and body image afterward, and it causes instant loss of dopamine once the porn is over. Nevertheless, the dopamine kick is strong, and consumers frequently end up wanting to feel it more and more often. This can lead to turning down other healthier options that feel good, like exercising or going out with friends.
3. Porn Interferes with Relationships
There’s no escaping the fact that relationships and the love that can be had within them are affected when porn is consumed. Scientific research and personal accounts both show that porn leaves partners feeling unhappy, hurt, angry, and empty inside. Porn doesn’t advocate for honesty, open communication, or trust. What porn does do is make physical appearance and sexual performance the most important aspects of a sexual relationship.
4. The Porn Industry’s Exploitative Truth
Although the porn industry has been involved in social causes such as “saving” panda bears and “bringing awareness” to Australia’s wildfires, it is hiding the real truth about itself. In fact, the porn industry massively contributes to serious societal harms such as destructive compulsive behavior, low empathy and compassion, and scenarios of sexual abuse.
5. Porn Contributes to Sex Trafficking
People may not want to believe it, but porn is significantly linked to the global sex trafficking trade. Videos produced or posted without the consent of those depicted is actually a much more common issue than the average porn consumer might realize. The reality is that many performers are exploited by family members, significant others, industry professionals, or organized traffickers. Sex trafficking is a huge problem that directly relates to the demand of porn videos, especially since no consumer can ever really know if real consent was actually given.
The Reality About Porn
There are many people who are scared and struggling to deal with porn’s harmful effects. To help those who are trying to overcome an addiction, are watching their important relationships be harmed due to pornography, or are being sexually exploited, join us in the fight!
