Is Porn Healthy Or Is It Simply Bad For You?

Pornography is something that many people watch on a regular or semi-regular basis. The porn industry is something that has been a prevalent part of society for a long time now, but not without controversy or stigma. With so many opinions about pornography use surrounding us, it can be difficult to ascertain how we individually feel about it in our personal lives and relationships. Understanding what unhealthy porn use might look like can help you assess your own behavior and determine whether you may benefit from seeking professional help.

Why Some People May Watch Pornography 

Many people who consume pornography on a regular basis tend to do so because there is some sort of positive result they associate with it. In fact, one large-scale study found that many participants felt that pornography had helped their lives in some way, which suggests that at least a fraction of the population may view pornographic content as a means to meet their needs. It may be worth noting, though, that this study focuses particularly on participants assigned male at birth, which may limit or skew how universal its findings are.

When porn is consumed responsibly, it may serve as a form of entertainment or a means of exploring one’s sexuality. Some may view it as a way to discover new sexual interests or increase confidence surrounding sexual acts.

In general, people may often turn to porn as a way to fulfill some type of fantasy that is lacking in their lives. Sometimes it might feel safer to watch porn to explore a fantasy than it would to attempt something in real life. It may be true, then, that pornographic content may be either a neutral or potentially positive force in a person’s life. 

Porn might be seen as taboo by many, but it can provide entertainment and sexual satisfaction to those who enjoy it responsibly. If you find value in consuming it and it doesn’t negatively impact your life in any way, then you likely shouldn’t have to worry about whether porn is healthy for you. So long as you (and your partner, if appropriate) are aware of your pornography usage, it doesn’t necessarily have to be problematic.

When Pornography Can Become A Bad Thing

Porn can be very alluring because it shows people an idealized version of sexual encounters. Many porn films are highly edited and feature actors with unrealistic bodies performing unrealistic sexual acts. Because so much of pornography is created to be a fantasy, it can begin to impact a person’s ability to find satisfaction from real, less-than-perfect sexual encounters and stimuli. 

Harming Real Relationships

A person might enjoy porn so much that normal sexual encounters just won’t feel all that exciting when compared to porn films. It might also impact your relationship; not all people view porn consumption the same way, and some people have boundaries or personal needs that can be overlooked when their partner watches porn.

Aside from creating potential conflict with an intimate partner, excessive or harmful porn use may also lead to unhealthy ideas about what sex, love, and relationships should look like. Much of the action shown in pornography can be viewed as exploitative, objectifying, and even violent, which can have serious implications for young minds in particular. Normalizing the maltreatment of or a lack of respect for others may lead some people to begin to perpetuate these behaviors themselves. 

Impacting Mental Health

While watching pornography may feel good in the moment, too much of a good thing can easily lead to an increase of feelings from the opposite end of the spectrum, too. Whether it be from the consequences of a porn dependency or simply the act of consuming porn itself, it’s possible to develop mental health concerns as a result of this sort of behavior. 

A poor mood, lack of interest in other things, or inability to separate yourself from porn without feeling anxiety are just a few examples of consequences you may experience that relate to mental health.

Developing An Addiction To Pornography

Porn addiction is real and can develop when pornography consumption goes unchecked. Like other forms of addiction, it can consume some people’s lives and have significant effects on how they function. 

Getting addicted to porn can cause several things to happen. Examples include:

• Feeling unable to control your urges to watch porn 

• Watching porn on a regular basis despite its negative impacts on work, school, relationships, etc.

• Abandoning hobbies or other activities you used to enjoy in favor of watching pornography

• Feeling a lack of sexual arousal when with an intimate partner, or needing increasingly extreme or intense stimuli to feel aroused

• Engaging in risky sexual behavior, such as unprotected sex, despite its potential consequences

The consequences that can accompany these sorts of changes are numerous. You may have a hard time performing at your best on the job or at school, find yourself in conflict with your partner or loved ones, or notice significant changes in your mood, among other things. 

How To Navigate Your Relationship With Pornography

Taking the time to watch porn doesn’t have to interfere with your life. and you don’t have to let it prevent you from forming meaningful relationships. The key may be to understand how to balance pornography consumption with healthy and realistic sexual behaviors or encounters. It also might help to remember that porn is often created to be a fantasy, not a reflection of reality. 

Whether you view pornography as something that can offer positive value or not, removing some of the shame and fear that can come with consuming it may help you more openly talk about how it impacts you. This can make getting help, if you need it, much easier. 

Help Is Available For Those With Pornography Addictions

If you feel you may be experiencing a pornography addiction, know that you are not alone. Though there may be a good deal of stigma attached to pornography use, many people find it difficult to consume porn in a way that doesn’t disrupt their daily life or relationships. Seeking help is seldom a bad idea, even if it feels intimidating to speak openly about what you’re experiencing.

It may help to know that therapists and other mental health professionals often work with people who are living with addictions of all kinds. Because of this, a therapist may be able to help you identify the things that drive you to consume porn, understand what needs you may want to meet to avoid the urge, and how to work through any other challenges that might come your way.

Perhaps especially in the case of a pornography addiction, some people wind up shying away from therapy due to feeling embarrassed about the subject matter. If you feel like seeing a therapist in person would be difficult for you, you may benefit from knowing that online therapy is a very convenient way to get the help that you need, right from the comfort of your own home. Speaking with a therapist through the web may help you feel more at-ease so that you can honestly and fully confront the behaviors you’re concerned about.

Research suggests that online therapy can help address addictive behaviors in addition to acting as a source of support. One study, for instance, found that online therapy could effectively reduce the severity of gambling behaviors, which often stem from the same psychological processes that may contribute to a pornography addiction. The quality of your care doesn’t have to change because of its format, so if online therapy seems like the best way to get started, it’s likely well-worth pursuing.

Takeaway

Pornography consumption may not necessarily be inherently good or bad; like many things in life, it often comes down to balance and whether you’re able to manage porn use effectively. If you feel like you may be experiencing a dependency on or addiction to pornography, it may be best to seek the guidance of a mental health professional who understands your needs and can help.