Don’t underestimate effects of porn

WE all agree that the easy access to the internet through computers and mobile devices has revolutionised our lives.
It has enabled a proliferation and sharing of so much undesirable content which, if not controlled, can destroy some of the values we hold dear in life.
Pornography is one such evil that has been proven to progressively destroy lives especially of the young. It is often said that viewing porn is no different from substance abuse. It is an evil that we should collectively stand up against to save ourselves.
We cannot pretend that it will end someday or lose its addiction on people.
The best we can address it is to educate people, especially our children, of its harmful effects.
Harping on about Christian and moral principles alone is not enough to withstand the tidal wave of porn that is hitting us.
The access to the internet by a generation of what some relate to as natives of technology is quite frightening. There will be no barriers to their accessing the internet to view what is delusionary sexual behaviour.
If there is no stricter censorship somehow, whether by legislation or individual willpower and choice, we will be allowing generations of people to harm themselves.
Before long they would be beyond saving.
The impacts of porn consumption are quite frightening.
A BBC programme looking at the effects of pornography addiction found that in the long term, pornography seems to create sexual dysfunctions, especially the inability to achieve erection or orgasm with a real life partner.
Marital quality and commitment to one’s romantic partner also appear to be compromised.
Through evolutionary design, the brain is wired to respond to sexual stimulation with surges of dopamine.
This neurotransmitter, most often associated with reward anticipation, also acts to programme memories and information into the brain.
This adaption means that when the body requires something such as food or sex, the brain remembers where to return to experience the same pleasure.
One psychiatrist explains that pornography satisfies every one of the prerequisites for neuroplastic change.
When pornographers boast that they are pushing the envelope by introducing new, harder themes, what they don’t say is that they should, because their customers are building up a tolerance to the content.
Studies show that changes in the transmission of dopamine (a hormone and neurotransmitter that plays several important roles in the brain and body) can facilitate depression and anxiety.
It has been generally observed that consumers report greater depressive symptoms, lower quality of life and poorer mental health compared to those who don’t watch porn.
Porn use has been correlated with erosion of the prefrontal cortex – the region of the brain that houses executive functions such as morality, willpower and impulse control.
To better understand the role of this structure in behaviour, it’s important to know that it remains underdeveloped during childhood.
This is why children struggle to regulate their emotions and impulses.
Damage to the prefrontal cortex in adulthood makes an individual behave compulsively and make poor decisions.
In a world where money means nearly everything in life, those who are into porn are seldom successful in financial decision-making and goal-setting.
We need to remind ourselves and educate our younger generation especially of the dangers of porn and not delude ourselves in underestimating its corroding effect on their lives.