How pornography makes us addicted

You are at home, and more now, without much to do. You are not sleepy, and you even feel boredom. Suddenly and out of nowhere an impulse arises that leads you to masturbate or watch porn. You just open a new window in the search engine of your computer or cell phone, and in less than 5 seconds you have a thousand videos in the palm of your hand. The world of pornography has caught you.

You may see it as normal. Or even rare. But there are many and many who resort to pornography on a daily basis, including several times a day. And this is because the same brain activity related to drugs and alcohol is activated. We feel a motivation, an uncontrollable drive and even a sense of immediate gratification that is highly engaging.

What are the signs of a porn addiction? A consistent need to consume it, including putting aside activities that you enjoy, the company of other people or even personal relationships. There are also problems in managing behavior intimately and socially, always leaning toward an uncontrollable desire for rewarding experiences, and the inability to sustain a human relationship because of it. This can show physiological symptoms.

You will be surprised that there are many recorded cases of young men between the ages of 18 and 25 with erectile dysfunction and in perfect physical health, which is why associations have been found to the excessive use of pornography. How can this be? Many experts agree that the brain needs increasing stimulation, which in this case is artificial, to become excited. Therefore, human relationships no longer generate that jump in the libido necessary to generate an erection.

A 2015 study found that compulsive pornography use was just as addictive as cocaine and nicotine use, considered two of the most addictive drugs in the world, especially in cases of people with compulsive tendencies.

This does not mean that every person who consumes pornography becomes addicted. The same thing happens with other substances such as alcohol. The measured use does not have long-term repercussions, at least physiological. The genetic, environmental and psychological factors of each person are important to consider. But a fairly useful indicator is withdrawal symptoms ranging from bad mood, aggression or sadness, to hiding or making excuses to continue consuming despite having other responsibilities or even a partner with whom to enjoy their sexuality. As a couple, it is easy to notice the increasingly unrealistic demand in sexual relationships, or the dissatisfaction derived from them.

In order to deal with it, psychological help is very helpful. Also circles of support such as addiction groups found around the world. In the case of men, increasingly common men's circles have been very supportive of transcending these and other addictions.