Effects of porn on the brain

[Scorpion TV]

On Vimeo there is a documentary about the effects of pornography on the BRAIN, aired also on CHANNEL 4, called "Porn on the Brain".

The TRAILER is available on Vimeo: url deleted

The synopsis: "This documentary features groundbreaking science revealing the effects of pornography on the brain for the first time. A journalist and father concerned by alarming headlines, and aware that his son will soon reach the age most children first see porn, wants to find some answers. Is it really bad for kids? We meet neuroscientists, therapists and educators who are all concerned about the effects of easy access to hardcore porn on vulnerable teenage brains."

What do you think about it? Is it so dangerous for kids? Does it have an effect only on kids' brains?

Thank you, Alessandro

[swansont]

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Moderator Note

 

Of what use is a trailer except as advertising? Especially without substance or link to the actual material we could discuss.

 

Please review the rules you agreed to follow when you joined. Pay close attention to rule 2.7

 

[kisai]

I thought studies of the effects of porn on the brain were stymied because they couldn't find a control group (people who don't watch porn).

 

It's nice to find 'neurologists, therapists, et al who are concerned with any causal relationships', but you really need case studies if you want to say anything definite about the health of a population. Alarmist entertainment television is insufficient for scientific discourse.

Edited February 1, 2016 by kisai

[Eldad Eshel]

I thought studies of the effects of porn on the brain were stymied because they couldn't find a control group (people who don't watch porn).

I don't and have never watched porn. I personally don't like to see other men and their genitals. Honestly the popularity of porn is an enigma to me, as it is so unattractive to me personally. Most porn is very sleezy and of low humane level, so of course it is "bad", and definitely to young people, who are watching supposed "grown ups", and are influenced by them. Bringing this subject up you also bring up the subject of masturbation, as it is usually being practised while watching porn, and it is usually the reason why porn is looked up. I personally think, as opposed to things I've heard from acquaintances, that masturbation in itself is bad for you. It drains your life energies, and hurts your soul. Not to mention while watching sleezy porn. Watching strangers, with all sorts of implants and surgeries, having sleezy intercourse. An alternative to masturbation that is "healthier", is having sex with a towl in your bed, and of course imagining whomever partner you wish. Porn is one of the sicknesses of our modern age, being so accessible. Porn actors are also idolized, especially by the younger generation, not the best mind set. Honestly I feel sorry for this younger generation, with the internet so accessible to them with all it's negativeness.

[iNow]

What is "life energy" and how can we measure the rate and volume by which it "drains?"

 

Also, what physiological difference is there between masturbating with a hand versus grinding against a towel on your bed?

 

I look forward to learning more from you about these important topics. I'd also be interested to know how you can so accurately describe the content of porn if you don't and have never watched it. Somethings not adding up here, but I'm sure you have a valid explanation for these inconsistencies and contradictions.

[Eldad Eshel]

What is "life energy" and how can we measure the rate and volume by which it "drains?"

 

Also, what physiological difference is there between masturbating with a hand versus grinding against a towel on your bed?

 

I look forward to learning more from you about these important topics. I'd also be interested to know how you can so accurately describe the content of porn if you don't and have never watched it. Somethings not adding up here, but I'm sure you have a valid explanation for these inconsistencies and contradictions.

I know what porn is, you don't need to watch it regularly for that. And in "never watched it" I meant watching it regularly. I have been in a computer course where everyone was watching it. I have seen just enough to know what it is.

Also, what physiological difference is there between masturbating with a hand versus grinding against a towel on your bed?

"grinding against a towl on your bed" is more like real sex, and real sex can be a positive thing. Touching and chafing your genitals is a negative thing, and will also affect you negatively.

[Endy0816]

An alternative to masturbation that is "healthier", is having sex with a towl in your bed, and of course imagining whomever partner you wish. Porn is one of the sicknesses of our modern age, being so accessible. Porn actors are also idolized, especially by the younger generation, not the best mind set. Honestly I feel sorry for this younger generation, with the internet so accessible to them with all it's negativeness.

 

That still counts as masturbation...

 

...and pornographic materials have been around for ages. Probably as soon as people figured out representation, they were off drawing images in the dirt.

 

(The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife) ie. Tentacle Sex - 1800's

 

 

 

 

Work of Katsushika Hokusai that may be more familiar.

 

Masturbation is something of a hijack of the feedback system, but we're not the only species that does it either.

Edited February 4, 2016 by Endy0816

[iNow]

And in "never watched it" I meant watching it regularly. I have been in a computer course where everyone was watching it.

So you lied and completely misrepresented the truth. Got it. Thanks for confirming.

 

Now, what about the other questions posed to you? What is "life energy" and how can we measure the rate and volume by which it "drains?"

 

"grinding against a towl on your bed" is more like real sex, and real sex can be a positive thing.

Real sex involves flesh on flesh. Warm blood filled muscles pressing against warm blood filled muscles.

 

Masturbation with ones hand involves flesh on flesh. Warm blood filled muscles pressing against warm blood filled vessels.

 

Grinding against a towel on the bed, however, involves flesh on...well...hmm, it involves flesh on cotton...you know, or maybe sometimes terry cloth, even rayon, bamboo, or occasionally other absorbent fibers. Grinding against a towel on the bed involves warm blood filled muscles pressing against... well...hmm... it involves warm blood filled muscles pressing against dead, cold, non-woven fibers that are usually shaped like a rectangle and generally used for wiping, cleaning, and drying.

 

Will you please explain why you think the latter is "more like real sex?" That appears untrue, but I'm sure you've thought this through and can put forth robust correction.

 

Touching and chafing your genitals is a negative thing, and will also affect you negatively.

Chafing? Okay, sure. That will affect you negatively, but touching? That's just ridiculous. What idiot told you that?

 

Erm, uhh... I mean, I'm interested in learning more. Where can I read more about these deleterious effects of genital contact? Surely, there are mountains of evidence supporting your stance that will convince the rest of us of its veracity. Please point us to it without delay so we can all be "healthier" like you.

Edited February 4, 2016 by iNow

[Eldad Eshel]

So you lied and completely misrepresented the truth. Got it. Thanks for confirming.

I did not lie, just said it not the best way. I don't watch porn nowadays, in the past I have seen a little bit of it. I have never watched it on a regular basis.

The life energy that I referred to is something metaphysical and yet out of the grasp of today's science. Maybe in the future it will even be measurable. As to the rest .. it is simple disagreement.

[iNow]

Life force, metaphysical, out of the grasp of today's science. Please forgive me if I remain skeptical.

[Sirona]

I don't and have never watched porn. I personally don't like to see other men and their genitals. Honestly the popularity of porn is an enigma to me, as it is so unattractive to me personally. Most porn is very sleezy and of low humane level, so of course it is "bad", and definitely to young people, who are watching supposed "grown ups", and are influenced by them. Bringing this subject up you also bring up the subject of masturbation, as it is usually being practised while watching porn, and it is usually the reason why porn is looked up. I personally think, as opposed to things I've heard from acquaintances, that masturbation in itself is bad for you. It drains your life energies, and hurts your soul. Not to mention while watching sleezy porn. Watching strangers, with all sorts of implants and surgeries, having sleezy intercourse. An alternative to masturbation that is "healthier", is having sex with a towl in your bed, and of course imagining whomever partner you wish. Porn is one of the sicknesses of our modern age, being so accessible. Porn actors are also idolized, especially by the younger generation, not the best mind set. Honestly I feel sorry for this younger generation, with the internet so accessible to them with all it's negativeness.

Interesting perspective. Although, porn being 'sick' and 'inhumane' is very subjective since everyone is going to have a different opinion on what is arousing and what is not.

I would argue that being repressed, uneducated on sex and closed mindedness is worse for youth than (mainstream) pornography. People don't 'idolise' pornstars as such but are aroused by them and that's perfectly natural since they are usually healthy and attractive and this is evolutionary so it can't really be labeled as sleazy.

The only negative impact I could really argue on (legal/consensual) pornography is that it could lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment.

[Eldad Eshel]

I think porn and masturbation are among the illnesses of humanity, alongside eating and drinking unhealthy and also smoking and taking drugs. All these things bring about an unhealthy life style, and damage your body and soul.

[iNow]

How do you define "soul?" How is it measured?

 

Clearly, if you can be so bold as to claim that specific activities damage it, there should be pretty specific empirical evidence for us to review and confirm said damage, right?

[mp][/mp]

Listen, to be clear... You are welcome to your opinions and you are free to avoid masturbation. That's totally cool. I really couldn't care less.

 

Mostly, I'm challenging you on your silly claims of harm and this wishy washy woo-word salad that is included in every post and seemingly rooted in some iron age religious anthologies.

[Endy0816]

What is weird is that he himself does it.

 

Oddly he also appears unaware that there is porn involving only the gender(s) of one's choosing. If that was an issue fear not, the Internet has you covered(and then some).

[iNow]

The "I don't masturbate, I just grind with a towel on my bed" response is somewhat hilarious. It's a bit like saying you've never had sex because thus far all you've done is anal, oral, hand jobs, and sensual massage.

[Sirona]

I think porn and masturbation are among the illnesses of humanity, alongside eating and drinking unhealthy and also smoking and taking drugs. All these things bring about an unhealthy life style, and damage your body and soul.

I think you're confusing 'damage to the body' with psychological impact (this may be purely an error in translation since English doesn't appear to be your native language). I would be very willing to discuss the potential psychological impacts porn has on the brain, but this talk of 'soul' and it being intrinsically wrong which you seem to be saying is a separate discussion best saved for the philosophy forum.

[iNow]

Excellent point. There are definitely issues with desensitization, becoming more numb to actual partners / only able to respond to super stimuli, depression and over-using / throttling the dopamine response, social rejection, etc, but that's not what is being explored.

[Sirona]

The "I don't masturbate, I just grind with a towel on my bed" response is somewhat hilarious. It's a bit like saying you've never had sex because thus far all you've done is anal, oral, hand jobs, and sensual massage.

+1

 

It's really like hypocrisy of any sort. A way to separate yourself from us by convincing yourself that you're morally superior because you don't do it, however, doing it differently is not a good way to rationalise behaviour which is supposedly 'good' just to feel better about it.

 

Comparing the damage of masturbation to smoking is somewhat amusing. Unless someone is extremely simple minded or has a very strange fetish, it's not really possible to do damage even remotely comparable to what smoking does, or even drinking and poor lifestyle. If done properly (I am sure the majority of people know how to masturbate) it should be physically GOOD for you, not damaging.

[Arete]

An alternative to masturbation that is "healthier", is having sex with a towl in your bed, and of course imagining whomever partner you wish.

 

I'd be interested as to how you feel about Japanese love pillows. (link is wikipedia and sfw). Is it OK to make love to linen, if the linen has porn on it?

[John Cuthber]

I think porn and masturbation are among the illnesses of humanity, alongside eating and drinking unhealthy and also smoking and taking drugs.

And your evidence is...

Seriously, did you think you would be able to say that on a science web site without being taken to the cleaners?

[Sirona]

 

I'd be interested as to how you feel about Japanese love pillows. (link is wikipedia and sfw). Is it OK to make love to linen, if the linen has porn on it?

Only if it's cartoon porn because that way you're only objectifying pixels and not people.

[Eldad Eshel]

In Judiasm there is a line "thou shalt not spill thy seed in idle". I think this is a very smart line. It basically says not to waste yourself on idle sexuality, if it is masturbation mainly or the likes. I am not religious, but I have a lot of respect for Judaism, and I try to follow this line. Myself what I do commit, is metaphysical sex in my bed with my telepathic girlfriend (that I mentioned in some other post), every few days, maybe once a week. She alot of times forces me into this. I have not hooked up with her for real yet, but I wish to in the future. Yes I am a bit of a crackpot (the favorite word here), even in my own eyes, but that's my life.

Edited February 6, 2016 by Eldad Eshel

[Phi for All]

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Moderator Note

Even though the OP was only interested in shilling for his yootoob channel, there are some valid discussion points. Please stick to the topic, and if you think what you're talking about doesn't involve the effects of porn on the brain, it's best not to post.

[Sirona]

In Judiasm there is a line "thou shalt not spill thy seed in idle". I think this is a very smart line. It basically says not to waste yourself on idle sexuality, if it is masturbation mainly or the likes. I am not religious, but I have a lot of respect for Judaism, and I try to follow this line. Myself what I do commit, is metaphysical sex in my bed with my telepathic girlfriend (that I mentioned in some other post), every few days, maybe once a week. She alot of times forces me into this. I have not hooked up with her for real yet, but I wish to in the future. Yes I am a bit of a crackpot (the favorite word here), even in my own eyes, but that's my life.

With no disrespect intended to your religion, many non-religious people would not see it as idle sexuality but a release of endorphins which impede the transmission of pain signals, resulting in you feeling happier, less stressed and relaxed. It's a similar feeling you'd get after vigorous activity or exercise. Also, it allows men to release their old sperm and produce more successful (sperm that is less likely to be rejected).

 

Back to the topic of potential psychological damage, I think the porn industry is constantly pushing the boundaries of mainstream sex and youths are exposed to such a variety of porn that they find themselves needing greater stimuli and thus developing unrealistic expectations of what sex should be like. It can also affect your confidence in your appearance as well as performance and your expectations in a partner.

[Eldad Eshel]

I think anything with the pure intention of causing masturbation, or being intentionally made for masturbation purposes is false. There is enough to do and not waste yourself on masturbation. I know it can be hard to avoid masturbation, and that's why I think of the whole masturbation industry even worse, sitting there and hooking people on masturbation or fueling their drive. You said masturbation can be a good thing, well I disagree with this, it seems to be harmless but it isn't. Saying it is a good thing is kind of like saying drinking coca cola is a good thing, they are both hedonistic and corruptive. Every individual needs to set themselves straight, find a nice life partner to have intercourse with and be proficient to themselves, their close ones and to all humanity. Spending hours on masturbation isn't very proficient to say the least.