What You Need to Know About Porn Addiction

Watching porn can be part of a healthy sex life, but it can become addictive and lead to harmful effects. Learn about the signs and effects of porn addiction.

January 17, 2025 · 10 min · 2070 words · Phillip Reyes

Table of Contents

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns of a Porn AddictionBehaviorsCausesEffects of Porn AddictionTreatment

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Signs of a Porn Addiction

Behaviors

Causes

Effects of Porn Addiction

Treatment

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While routinely viewing pornography may be beneficial forself-exploration, sexual education, and even improving relations with your partner, making ahabitof this practice—to the extent where pornography affects your daily life—could be problematic for your well-being. Studies estimate that between 86% and 96% of men regularly consume porn. Women consume only slightly less pornographic content.

At a GlanceWhile porn addiction isn’t recognized as a diagnosable condition, it is similar in nature to a behavioral disorder. Much like other dependencies, porn addiction may have many adverse effects, including changes in the brain’s reward center, intimacy issues, and a negative impact on your partner’s self-esteem. Despite the stigmas attached to porn addiction, it is quite common among men and women alike and can be managed or professionally treated.

At a Glance

While porn addiction isn’t recognized as a diagnosable condition, it is similar in nature to a behavioral disorder. Much like other dependencies, porn addiction may have many adverse effects, including changes in the brain’s reward center, intimacy issues, and a negative impact on your partner’s self-esteem. Despite the stigmas attached to porn addiction, it is quite common among men and women alike and can be managed or professionally treated.

What Do You Mean By Porn Addiction?

Althoughporn addictionhas yet to be recognized as a diagnosable condition, this behavior has been described as “problematic pornographic use."

Signs You Might Have a Porn Addiction

Porn addiction is very likely a behavior disorder, one characterized ashypersexual. It is similar to other sexual behavior disorders like excessivemasturbationand cybersex.

How Do I Know If I Have a Porn Addiction?

To determine whether or not you have an unhealthy relationship with porn, excessive consumption is usually found to take up a lot of time, which can lead to a loss of control.

Porn addiction may also cause a strain in relationships with others. This behavior may manifest in the following ways:

Research suggests that the greatest predictors for porn use include being a young man, negative mood states, frequent internet use, religiousness, and sexual boredom.

How to Stop Watching Porn

What Causes Porn Addiction?

While some suggest that easy access to porn plays a part in porn addiction, it does not explain why some people have a problem with compulsive use, and others do not. Some factors that have been implicated in porn addiction include:

There is no clear consensus on what causes porn addiction, partly because not all researchers agree that viewing pornographic material constitutes an addiction. According to the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), there is insufficient evidence that porn addiction is a mental health condition.

According to one study, believing you are addicted to porn contributes to distress more than the behavior itself.Others suggest that characterizing pornography use as an addiction plays a part in unhealthy attitudes about sex.

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Because porn is so accessible, it’s easy for someone to become dependent on erotic material.

Research also suggests that pornography use can lead to changes in the brain. In a study reviewing porn’s addictive nature, subjects that consumed high amounts of erotic material were found to have increased brain reactions when presented with pornographic cues.

Like other addictions, viewing porn affects the brain’s reward pathways, affecting a neurotransmitter called dopamine that plays a role in pleasure and cravings.This reaction has also been observed when people with substance orgambling addictionsare presented with addictive prompts.

Beyond changes in brain activity, however, excessive consumption of porn has also been found to have the following effects, outlined below.

Can Affect Intimacy Between Partners

While anyone can become addicted to pornography, this behavior is more noticeable in men—a trait that can be problematic for their partners.

In particular, it has been observed that men who frequently watch pornographic content tend topull away emotionallyfrom their significant others.These men tend to develop secretive traits, and may even fall intodepressive statesfollowing their overconsumption of porn.

The type of porn being viewed may also contribute to dwindling intimacy between partners, as men have a tendency to consume less-affectionate forms of pornography.

It Can Affect Your Partner’s Self-esteem

When a partner observes you drawing away physically, preferring instead to turn to porn—it can be a heavy blow to their self-esteem.

Questions around their abilities in bed, your interests, and what other areas they may be falling short might consume the significant other of a person with this hypersexual disorder.

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Pornography Can Affect Satisfaction From Sex

When you’re constantly viewing the bodies and intimate relations of others, it isn’t uncommon to make comparisons. Soon, you may begin to consider your physical appearance and sexual abilities weaker, in contrast with professional sex workers.

Other times, this dissatisfaction may be targeted at your partner, who may measure themselves against the actors you watch.

People with porn addiction may also place an unhealthy amount of pressure on their performance during intercourse which significantly affects their sexual experience. While they’re constantly watching people engage in sex, this person may find that their sex lives may feel less satisfying.

Can Affect Daily Functioning

Being glued to a screen displaying pornographic material can be very obstructive to your daily flow. It can hinder productivity in the workplace, at home, and in social settings.

The overwhelming need to watch others engage in intercourse can become more important than the meeting scheduled with a client, attending the doctor’s appointment, or even taking much-needed time to relax and enjoy the day.

Porn Addiction May Encourage Mental Health Disorders

Having a heightened appetite for erotic material has been associated with anxiety disorders. In addition, this hypersexual disorder may also causemood disordersand even substance abuse challenges.

While this is merely speculative, there have also been links drawn to excessive pornographic consumption and erectile plus other sexual dysfunctions.

How Do I Get Help for My Porn Addiction?

Because compulsive porn consumption is not an official disorder,treatment optionsfor this condition are not fully established. However, to manage the effects, many options have been adopted.

Medication

To manage erotic dependence,naltrexonemay be recommended as a treatment measure.This medication is typically used to manage alcohol dependence and opioid addiction.

Naltrexone may be able to halt both the craving for porn and the satisfaction derived from consuming it.

Therapy

Speaking to a mental health professionalis one of the most effective ways to get negative behaviors under control. In addition, using techniques such asfamily therapyandrelationship counselingcan help navigate this condition’s intricacies.

Keep in Mind

Viewing porn excessively can easily be overlooked as a harmless way to indulge erotic urges. However, when these urges take a strong hold on free will, demanding that they be fulfilled irrespective of comfort, this can be harmful to your well-being.

On the bright side, despite how dominating porn may appear, porn addiction can be managed with determination and the right help from trusted professionals.

10 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rosser BR, Grey JA, Wilkerson JM, et al.A commentary on the role of sexually explicit media (SEM) in the transmission and prevention of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM).AIDS Behav. 2012;16(6):1373-1381. doi:10.1007/s10461-012-0135-zSharpe M, Mead D.Problematic Pornography Use: Legal and Health Policy Considerations.Curr Addict Rep. 2021;1-12. doi:10.1007/s40429-021-00390-8de Alarcón R, de la Iglesia JI, Casado NM, Montejo AL.Online Porn Addiction: What We Know and What We Don’t-A Systematic Review.J Clin Med. 2019;8(1):91. doi:10.3390/jcm8010091American Assoication of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.AASECT position on sex addiction.Grubbs JB, Stauner N, Exline JJ, Pargament KI, Lindberg MJ.Perceived addiction to Internet pornography and psychological distress: Examining relationships concurrently and over time.Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. 2015;29(4):1056-1067. doi:10.1037/adb0000114Gola M, Wordecha M, Sescousse G, et al.Can Pornography be Addictive? An fMRI Study of Men Seeking Treatment for Problematic Pornography Use.Neuropsychopharmacology. 2017;42(10):2021-2031. doi:10.1038/npp.2017.78Love T, Laier C, Brand M, Hatch L, Hajela R.Neuroscience of internet pornography addiction: A review and update.Behav Sci(Basel). 2015;5(3):388-433. doi:10.3390/bs5030388American Psychological Association.Is pornography addictive?.BRIDGES A, MOROKOFF P.Sexual media use and relational satisfaction in heterosexual couples.Pers Relatsh. 2010;18(4):562-585. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01328.xBostwick JM, Bucci JA.Internet sex addiction treated with naltrexone.Mayo Clin Proc. 2008;83(2):226-230. doi:10.4065/83.2.226

10 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rosser BR, Grey JA, Wilkerson JM, et al.A commentary on the role of sexually explicit media (SEM) in the transmission and prevention of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM).AIDS Behav. 2012;16(6):1373-1381. doi:10.1007/s10461-012-0135-zSharpe M, Mead D.Problematic Pornography Use: Legal and Health Policy Considerations.Curr Addict Rep. 2021;1-12. doi:10.1007/s40429-021-00390-8de Alarcón R, de la Iglesia JI, Casado NM, Montejo AL.Online Porn Addiction: What We Know and What We Don’t-A Systematic Review.J Clin Med. 2019;8(1):91. doi:10.3390/jcm8010091American Assoication of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.AASECT position on sex addiction.Grubbs JB, Stauner N, Exline JJ, Pargament KI, Lindberg MJ.Perceived addiction to Internet pornography and psychological distress: Examining relationships concurrently and over time.Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. 2015;29(4):1056-1067. doi:10.1037/adb0000114Gola M, Wordecha M, Sescousse G, et al.Can Pornography be Addictive? An fMRI Study of Men Seeking Treatment for Problematic Pornography Use.Neuropsychopharmacology. 2017;42(10):2021-2031. doi:10.1038/npp.2017.78Love T, Laier C, Brand M, Hatch L, Hajela R.Neuroscience of internet pornography addiction: A review and update.Behav Sci(Basel). 2015;5(3):388-433. doi:10.3390/bs5030388American Psychological Association.Is pornography addictive?.BRIDGES A, MOROKOFF P.Sexual media use and relational satisfaction in heterosexual couples.Pers Relatsh. 2010;18(4):562-585. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01328.xBostwick JM, Bucci JA.Internet sex addiction treated with naltrexone.Mayo Clin Proc. 2008;83(2):226-230. doi:10.4065/83.2.226

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Rosser BR, Grey JA, Wilkerson JM, et al.A commentary on the role of sexually explicit media (SEM) in the transmission and prevention of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM).AIDS Behav. 2012;16(6):1373-1381. doi:10.1007/s10461-012-0135-zSharpe M, Mead D.Problematic Pornography Use: Legal and Health Policy Considerations.Curr Addict Rep. 2021;1-12. doi:10.1007/s40429-021-00390-8de Alarcón R, de la Iglesia JI, Casado NM, Montejo AL.Online Porn Addiction: What We Know and What We Don’t-A Systematic Review.J Clin Med. 2019;8(1):91. doi:10.3390/jcm8010091American Assoication of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.AASECT position on sex addiction.Grubbs JB, Stauner N, Exline JJ, Pargament KI, Lindberg MJ.Perceived addiction to Internet pornography and psychological distress: Examining relationships concurrently and over time.Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. 2015;29(4):1056-1067. doi:10.1037/adb0000114Gola M, Wordecha M, Sescousse G, et al.Can Pornography be Addictive? An fMRI Study of Men Seeking Treatment for Problematic Pornography Use.Neuropsychopharmacology. 2017;42(10):2021-2031. doi:10.1038/npp.2017.78Love T, Laier C, Brand M, Hatch L, Hajela R.Neuroscience of internet pornography addiction: A review and update.Behav Sci(Basel). 2015;5(3):388-433. doi:10.3390/bs5030388American Psychological Association.Is pornography addictive?.BRIDGES A, MOROKOFF P.Sexual media use and relational satisfaction in heterosexual couples.Pers Relatsh. 2010;18(4):562-585. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01328.xBostwick JM, Bucci JA.Internet sex addiction treated with naltrexone.Mayo Clin Proc. 2008;83(2):226-230. doi:10.4065/83.2.226

Rosser BR, Grey JA, Wilkerson JM, et al.A commentary on the role of sexually explicit media (SEM) in the transmission and prevention of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM).AIDS Behav. 2012;16(6):1373-1381. doi:10.1007/s10461-012-0135-z

Sharpe M, Mead D.Problematic Pornography Use: Legal and Health Policy Considerations.Curr Addict Rep. 2021;1-12. doi:10.1007/s40429-021-00390-8

de Alarcón R, de la Iglesia JI, Casado NM, Montejo AL.Online Porn Addiction: What We Know and What We Don’t-A Systematic Review.J Clin Med. 2019;8(1):91. doi:10.3390/jcm8010091

American Assoication of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.AASECT position on sex addiction.

Grubbs JB, Stauner N, Exline JJ, Pargament KI, Lindberg MJ.Perceived addiction to Internet pornography and psychological distress: Examining relationships concurrently and over time.Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. 2015;29(4):1056-1067. doi:10.1037/adb0000114

Gola M, Wordecha M, Sescousse G, et al.Can Pornography be Addictive? An fMRI Study of Men Seeking Treatment for Problematic Pornography Use.Neuropsychopharmacology. 2017;42(10):2021-2031. doi:10.1038/npp.2017.78

Love T, Laier C, Brand M, Hatch L, Hajela R.Neuroscience of internet pornography addiction: A review and update.Behav Sci(Basel). 2015;5(3):388-433. doi:10.3390/bs5030388

American Psychological Association.Is pornography addictive?.

BRIDGES A, MOROKOFF P.Sexual media use and relational satisfaction in heterosexual couples.Pers Relatsh. 2010;18(4):562-585. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01328.x

Bostwick JM, Bucci JA.Internet sex addiction treated with naltrexone.Mayo Clin Proc. 2008;83(2):226-230. doi:10.4065/83.2.226

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