Several years ago, I wrote an article about the dangers of pornography. Since this is a website for dads, I was surprised to receive a comment from a teenager. He berated me for the “ridiculous” claims I made about pornography being addictive. But a year or two later, he commented again, this time with a different tone. He had started watching porn, and to his surprise, he couldn’t stop.
One of the dangers of porn is what it does to our brains, especially brains that are still developing. Thankfully, our brains are malleable, so when there’s deterioration caused by porn, it can be mended over time. However, our brains affect our behavior, and some of us end up doing things that cause permanent damage. We need to keep our minds sharp and help our kids do the same by answering this question: What does porn do to the brain?
It makes our brains more like a teenager’s brain.
Teens’ brains aren’t fully formed, especially the prefrontal cortex. This is the front part of the brain which helps a person’s impulse control, decision making, and cause and effect determination. Since this part of the brain is undeveloped, teens have limited executive function abilities. This is why they are impulsive and tend to make poor decisions. A study by Jama Psychiatry has shown that porn viewing reduces the function of this part of the brain. Basically, it makes our brains more adolescent. Having a juvenile brain makes us more prone to compulsive behavior, bad decisions, and, potentially, affairs.
It gives our brains less ability to process information.
Studies have shown that viewing porn reduces the amount of grey matter in the brain. Grey matter is a tissue that helps the brain communicate. Grey matter is essential for processing information, memory, and emotions. In extreme cases, a lack of grey matter can cause Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. While viewing pornography won’t result in these diseases, it can impair our processing ability, leading to poor decisions.
It increases agitation, aggression, and depression.
When we view pornography, our brains release a surge of dopamine in our reward centers. Dopamine gives a euphoric feeling of pleasure, which we begin to crave. As we go back to the same images more and more, the dopamine cells actually shrink, producing less and less. After that, the parts of life that normally give a person bits of joy here and there fall flat, and we enter a cycle of hypersexuality. This produces feelings of guilt and less satisfaction in our daily lives, according to the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. So, what happens then? We become more easily agitated, aggressive, and, in many cases, depressed.
We need to keep our minds sharp.
Our families need our minds to be sharp and engaged. Viewing porn clearly lessens that ability. If you are struggling with porn, let me give you some encouragement. The brain is plastic, meaning it can change. Deciding to steer clear of porn will help sharpen your brain. Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to these types of things but instead, to renew our minds. Surround yourself with men who can help you do this. Hire professionals, like therapists or coaches, to help you do this (even if it’s pricy, it’s a worthwhile investment). Ask God for help. Model self-discipline, and teach your kids what pornography does to their brains, because they’re going to encounter it. Make sure they know enough not to get pulled into it when they do.
Sound off: What does porn do to the brain? Do you have any more facts to add?
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “How does what we watch affect our thoughts and actions?”