Miranda Fastle

March 21, 2015

English 120
Pornography and the Effects on Adolescents
Pornography is not harmless entertainment but rather an addiction that has
devastating effects. Many individuals wonder how does porn affect the brain? Many
individuals they wonder they how how does it affectporn affects the sensitive brain of a
developing adolescent? Many individuals would conclude that pornography is
unscrupulousharmless. However, pPornography is not as harmless as they would think,
and is in fact destructive for to and adolescents brain because it is an easy thing for them
to become addicted to.because it can cause addiction. Biologically, as humans, we are
meant to respond to stimuli. However, depending on the stimuli, it can cause either a
good or bad positive or negative reaction within the human body. This is especially true ,
especially on the developing adolescent brainof adolescent brains. According to research,
pornography is a stimulus that can have very negative effects on an adolescents brain.I
too think pornography is non-beneficial for the human brain and there is research to
support my argument.
In light of recent studies, researchers have come to the conclusion that
pornography is destructive for the young human brain (Owens and Behun, p.100) I
agree with the researchers that pornography Pornography is hurtful harmful and has been
the root cause for many disorders, ruined relationships, and various crimes. Pornography,
specifically especially for an adolescent,adolescents, can give a false visual
representation of sexuality, which distorts an individual's concept of the nature of
monogamous relationships. Pornography is more likely to become an addiction similar

to drugs and alcohol. This addiction, in turn, can alter both sexual attitudes and behavior.
The introduction of the home video and Internet saw a boom in the worldwide porn
industry that produces billions of dollars annually. Commercialized porn accounts for
over $2.5 billion in the United States alone, including the production of various medias.
With an increase of sexual material appearing in everyday media, such as the recent 50
Shades of Grey, several universities are studying the outcomes of pornography on the
brain. Studies found that those who have an excessive appetite for porn were more likely
to have severe social and relationship problems and were more likely to lose their jobs
and get in trouble with the law (Harkness and Mullan , p. 68). It is estimated that 47%
of people watch between 30 minutes to three hours of porn per day (Owens and Behun,
p. 116) and with access to Internet becoming limitless the percentage can only go up.
Many individuals have become obsessed with free sex and have lost their hunger for the
real thing and have been desensitized because its so easily accessible.
Over a decade ago, Dr. Judith Reisman called porn an erototoxin, theorizing
that the brain itself could be damaged while watching porn (Harkness and Mullan, p.
56). She speculated that studies on the brain revealed that the surge of neurochemicals
and hormones released when an individual watches porn has distinctive negative effects
on the brain. Her research demonstrates that brains of chronic porn users show great
similaritiesy compared to the brains of alcoholics. A brain structure called the ventral
striatum plays a significant role in the reward system of the brainthe pleasure
pathway. It is the sameThis is the part of the brain that lights up when an alcoholic sees
a picture of a drink. When watching porn, dopamine is released into thea region of the
brain responsible for emotion and learning, giving the viewer a sense of sharp focus and a

sense of craving: I have got to have this thing; this is what I need right now. It supplies
a great sense of pleasure. The next time the viewer gets the itch for more sexual pleasure,
small packets of dopamine are released in the brain telling the user: Remember where
you got your fix last time. Go there to get it. Norepinephrine is also released, creating
alertness and focus. It is the brains version of adrenaline. It tells the brain, Something is
about to happen, and we need to get ready for it. Sex or porn also triggers a release of
oxytocin and vasopressin. These hormones help to lay down the long-term memories for
the cells. They bind a persons memories to the object that gave him or her the sexual
pleasure. The body releases endorphins, natural opiates that create a high, a wave of
pleasure over the whole body. After sexual release serotonin levels also change, bringing
a sense of calm and relaxation (Owens and Behun, p. 106).
This system works the way it is supposed to work when youre having sex with
your partner. Together you can experience a high and the deep calm afterwards
(norepinephrine, endorphins, and serotonin). With each sexual embrace you are
emotionally bonding to this person (oxytocin and vasopressin). Over time a craving for
sex is transformed into a desire for one another (dopamine). But porn short-circuits the
system, literally hijacking your brain (Harkness and Mullan, p.65). First, instead of
forming a deep connection to a person, your brain ends up bonding to a pornographic
experience. Your brain remembers the sexual high, and each time you desire sexual
stimulation, you feel that sense of focus, an internally driven high.
As stated above these chemical pathways are more radical and damaging in an
adolescent brain mainly because theire brain is still developing. Since the brain is
unfinished in its development the destructive effects of pornography can hinder its

continuation of growing. In the study by Owens and Behun they observed two groups of
individuals that were consumers of pornography. The study was looking at MRI s,
magnetic resonance imaging, of the brains of the test subjects looking for any differences
in cerebral function. The difference between the groups was one group began viewing
pornography as adolescents and the other group began viewing it in early adulthood. The
conclusion made by the researchers was that individuals that had viewed porn at a
younger age had parts of their brains damaged from excessive chemical reactions. This
had permanent outcomes on these individuals and affected them later on in life. They had
greater unstable behavior; unable to keep jobs, maintain relationships, and some men had
health issue such as erectile dysfunction.
Like many drugs and paraphernalia that are used to get high the dosage must
increase each time because human bodies develop dependency/tolerance to them. With
pornography upping the dosage doesnt result in more porn being viewed but rather a
more intense experience. This has lead to violent sexual behavior and sexual assault. With
in the article Association Between Pornography Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors in Adult
Consumers by Harkness and Mullan stated that there is a high correlation between
inmates at a prison who committed violent sexual crimes and inmates that been a
subscribers to pornography.
There are various counter arguments to my opinion. One of them being is that
many consider viewing pornography as harmless and natural for people to want to
consume it. Many claim that humans are sexual beings and depriving people of sexual
experiences is unhealthy. There is also an emphasis that adolescents should view porn
since that is the time the human body goes through puberty and sexual urges begin to

emerge. Another argument is a little bit of porn is fine, as long as its not interfering with
your sex life, social life, finances, job, relationship, family, responsibilities and so on. For
couples, porn is thought to be a positive thing. Porn can be an igniter, a peak for sexual
interest, initiator, and instigator, something to shake things up, or make things more
exciting. These arguments claim that pornography, and other sexual encounters, is
something that is uncomfortable for people to talk about and believe that affects their
opinions and attitudes to be negative towards it.
I have a different opinion. I dont think there should be a casual opinion about
pornography because I can see the affects it has had on people. There are rehabilitation
centers for pornography addictions where individuals have gone to treat, what they
recognize as problematic, that is, their addiction. There is science that supports my claim
and the conclusion is the samethat even some pornography is bad especially for
adolescents. Because of this, I think it would be prudent to make sure there are controlled
locking mechanisms on the Internet to prevent teenagers from accessing pornography.
Yes, there are many kinds ofsome devices used to prevent individuals under the age of
eighteen to not get access to pornography;, however I think this need to be strengthened.
It is evident that underage viewers are getting ahold of pornographic media. Most
importantly, I know that people will always find ways around these safeguards. This is an
issue that does varyvaries person to person and when it comes down to it, I think parents
need to monitor what their children are viewing and be educated on the issue of the
dangers pornography can have on them.
Overall, I think pornography is bad for adolescents, and people in general. I think
people need to know about the potential dangers of pornography with it being accessed

from every form of technology. I think if people knew about these dangers of
pornography and how it could disrupt their lives many people would not take part in
consuming pornography. Along with that parents would take the initiative to make sure
their adolescents wont endanger themselves, ensuring their health and futures.Books,
television, movies, magazines, etc. are becoming casual when it comes to sex and
pornographic content and it is everywhere.

Works Cited
Harkness, Emily L., and Barbara M. Mullan. "Association Between Pornography Use and
Sexual Risk Behaviors in Adult Consumers: A Systematic Review." Cyber
Psychology, Behavior & Social Networking 18.2 (2015): 59-71. Web. 26
Feb.2015.
Owens, Eric W., and Richard J. Behun. "The Impact of Internet Pornography on
Adolescents: A Review of the Research." Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity
19.1/2 (2012): 99-122. Web. 28 Feb. 2015.