If you’ve ever checked out Pornhub’s annual Year in Review, you’d know it gives a pretty clear idea of what people are watching to fulfill their desires. But this could soon change, especially with the IODA bill introduced earlier this year gaining attention.
Still, the real concern begins when casual viewing becomes a pattern of compulsive behavior. Once someone becomes addicted, it can lead to a wide range of personal issues from strained relationships to serious financial problems.
The mental and cognitive effects of watching excessive porn have been studied quite a bit over the years, and researchers are continuing to investigate how it alters the brain.
In one of the latest studies from Chengdu Medical College in China published in the National Library of Medicine—scientists dug even deeper into how excessive porn use may affect cognitive performance and behavior.
To gather brain activity data, researchers used a technique called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). This method tracks changes in hemoglobin in the brain, which is the protein responsible for transporting oxygen through the bloodstream. During a ten-minute viewing session, the researchers observed brain activity, facial reactions, and other physical signs.
Results from the study revealed that the students who watched porn more frequently had slower reaction times and made more mistakes compared to the group who only viewed occasionally.
In addition, the frequent-viewing group also showed signs of heightened parasympathetic nervous system activity. They experienced stronger sexual arousal and more intense brain activity in areas like the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the frontopolar area—both of which are important for decision-making and emotional regulation.
Interestingly, before the video session, both groups performed similarly on reaction-based tasks. But after watching, those in the high-frequency group experienced a noticeable drop in accuracy and speed.
“This pursuit, in attempts to override the chemistry of the changing brain, may lend to disruption in the person’s life, often within relationships.” she said.