Brain Studies on Porn Users

Max Planck Institute logoRecent studies assessing brain structure & functioning of internet porn users:

  1. Brain Structure and Functional Connectivity Associated With Pornography Consumption: The Brain on Porn (2014) - A German study which found 3 significant addiction-related brain changes that correlated with the amount of porn consumed. It also found that the more porn consumed the less activity in the reward circuit, indicating desensitization, and increasing the need for greater stimulation (tolerance).
  2. Cambridge University logoNeural Correlates of Sexual Cue Reactivity in Individuals with and without Compulsive Sexual Behaviours (2014) - The first in a series of Cambridge University studies found the same brain activity as seen in drug addicts and alcoholics. It also found that porn addicts fit the accepted addiction model of wanting "it" more, but not liking "it" more. The researchers also reported that 60% of subjects (average age: 25) had difficulty achieving erections/arousal with real partners, yet could achieve erections with porn.
  3. Enhanced Attentional Bias towards Sexually Explicit Cues in Individuals with and without Compulsive Sexual Behaviours (2014) - "Our findings of enhanced attentional bias... suggest possible overlaps with enhanced attentional bias observed in studies of drug cues in disorders of addictions."

These study results are consistent with 100+ internet addiction brain studies, many of which also include internet porn use. In short, there's ample (and growing) peer-reviewed scientific support for the addiction model.

Start here for a brief overview of concepts & science

This article is a short synopsis of some key concepts. For the science behind it, please follow all the links and read this page. Some links go to our articles, which in turn link to studies. For a more in-depth understanding and further evidence see The Research Page. For specific content explore Porn FAQs.

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What happens when you drop a male rat into a cage with a receptive female rat? First, you see a frenzy of copulation. Then, progressively, the male tires of that particular female. Even if she wants more, he has had enough. However, replace the original female with a fresh one, and the male immediately revives and gallantly struggles to fertilize her.

Gary's TEDx talk - "The Great Porn Experiment"

Captions also available for 한국의, Chinese, Português, Czech, Deutsch, Estonian, עברית, Hungarian, Italian, Polski, Serbian, Slovak. To see them, click on the 'YouTube' logo to watch on YOUTube. Then, when you get there, click on "CC" for captions (bottom right of screen). Ver YBOP series in Español. Make captions in your own language!

Age 22 - From College Stoner to Medical School President: My No-Fap Journey

mountain peakHey fellow champions of your urges, I've mostly just floated around this page over the past year and a half, listening to advice and fighting my own battles. I'm nowhere near done with my nofap battle (longest streak ever = 44 days) but sitting back I've been baffled by the way this challenge has changed my life.

This is working! ED improvements

happy couple in bed

So about a month ago I was in a hotel room with my girlfriend and had absolutely nothing going on downstairs. Not even a hint of an erection. That was about 8/9 days into nofap.

Research confirms enormous rise in youthful ED

worried guy in bedroom with girl If we compare recent research to earlier studies, young men today are experiencing anywhere from a 600% to 3000% increase in ED since the advent of the internet. All studies assessing young male sexuality since 2012 report a tremendous rise in erectile dysfunction and low libido.

Age 25 - First date ever, I was calm and in control

couple kissingOver the past year since I first delved into NoFap, it had been and ongoing struggle with PMO-free streaks and relapses. I did notice the super powers and the other benefits everyone talks about, but the addiction was at times too hard to beat.

Study: Unusual masturbatory practice as an etiological factor in the diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction in young men (2014)

J.Sexual.MedCOMMENTS: One of the 4 case studies in this article (reproduced below) reports on a man with porn-induced sexual problems (low libido, fetishes, anorgasmia). The sexual intervention called for a 6-week abstinence from porn and masturbation. After 8 months the man reported increased sexual desire, successful sex and orgasm, and enjoying "good sexual practices."

Age 33 - 20 years of daily jacking, 10 years of PIED and DE: Rebooting works!

victoryJust want to give some encouragement to those of you experiencing erectile dysfunction and/or delayed ejaculation. Quick facts and history, I'm 33, first masturbated when I was around 8, maybe even 7.

Review: Sex Addiction as a Disease: Evidence for Assessment, Diagnosis, and Response to Critics (2015)

Journal coverCOMMENTS: This is a new review published in the July 2015 issue of "Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment & Prevention." Although we cannot reproduce the entire paper, below is a table containing criticisms of sex addiction and the authors' responses with citations.

No Fap has turned me into an extrovert

socializingBefore no fap I was pretty introverted. I didn't want to go out and talk to people even though a side of me wanted to -- but couldnt. Im now very outgoing once again in my life. I love talking to new people.

Age 18 - I am finally happy with myself. I have my dreams, and I look to keep going forward in life

big waveThank you to all of the fellow fapstronauts who helped when times were tough. Whether you provided posts that gave me motivation to keep going or you replied to mine, thank you. It truly is amazing how this community is so supportive of people who wish to rid themselves of the dark horse of addictions.

Age 22 - ED cured: Calm down and take it slow. Rewiring is crucial

young coupleIt's been a little while and the reason is because I am doing fantastic! I just looked back and read some of my old posts and couldn't help but think about how far I have come. Long story short I was dealing with PIED for over a year and a half.

Sex with my girlfriend has become more and more amazing during last months. We are closer than ever.

couple kissingI've made it to 90 days :) My challenge is to get to 120 days, so I'm almost there! This last month I've made some great advances, the main one, I'm not longer triggered by sexy images I find while browsing other stuff.

I have the power of a truck, My memory improved, Holding eye contact is now possible

young guyI feel great, as in normal and compared to my time before nofap. It has been said often before: as soon as the fight is over, there are no superpowers anymore. These superpowers only seem super when seen from a place of desperation and self betrayal.

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