After the widespread availability of the internet, the access to pornography and/ or explicit video material as well as the written material has become very common. The availability of this kind of explicit material resulted in a large section of the population trying it for sexual gratification as well as living their fantasies through the digital realm.
Internet porn is the new kid on the block in the world of addiction: Easy accessibility of porn on to get a quick spike of adrenaline/dopamine through sexual pleasure have resulted in patterns of addiction among many men and women. Porn addiction is a phenomenon which has been exacerbated by the easy availability of pornography on the internet. It has not only affected sexual habits such as masturbation but has also caused hindrances in the daily lives of people and has affected their relationships.
A brain on porn is similar to a brain on alcohol; While it may seem a bit far-fetched, studies of brain scans have shown that people watching porn experience the same effects or pleasure that alcohol gives them. It is a neural circuit which releases pleasure hormones when you sexually pleasure yourself by masturbating to porn. The reward circuit of the brain recognizes this pattern and starts creating please pathways where you want more of it. As you keep doing it more and more, the resistance level increases and you tend to need more. This is a classic sign of addiction.
Healthy and unhealthy masturbation: Masturbation is a natural and normal process that almost every human indulges in. However, a brain addicted to porn will use it as an addict uses a substance. Masturbation is the physical act through which the dopamine would be released. Once it has become an addiction, you would either want to have the daily fix for at least a few hours which you would ensure to take out of your daily routine. This time could have been invested in other fruitful activities when it ends up going to the addiction. In some cases, studies have shown that many would rather do it a few times a week but would spend extended hours masturbating to porn.
Effects of excess masturbation
Some of the effects of porn addiction and excessive masturbation could be:
i) Premature ejaculation problem ( quick masturbation leads to chronic less timing to discharge)
ii) Erectile dysfunction when you are with a partner and in a real-life scenario due to dependence on particular porn fantasies you are unable to get similar response from the partner and hence dissatisfaction
iii) Inability to have or form intimate relationships which are not just sexual but emotional and mental as well
iv) Lethargy to go to work or school due to addiction-related problems
v) Breakdown in relationships, even with family members and friends among many others
It is thus, imperative that you seek sexologist or sex therapist to slow down the habit and break the cycle of addiction and ensure that you are able to lead a normal life without disruptions so as to allow yourself to be able to form normal sexual relationships.