It has been found that porn addicts have similar brain functionality as drug addicts. Dr. Hilton, a renowned neurosurgeon, is an expert on the brain rewiring itself due to drug or porn addiction.
The brain has many parts to it. Each part plays a specific role in brain function. The prefrontal cortex, located at the front of the brain, plays a role in control. When we start to get addicted to something the prefrontal cortex begins to get weak. Decision making becomes impaired, this is also known as hypofrontality. Hypofrontality is found in both pornography addicts and drug addicts.
There is positive stress and negative stress. Positive stress is healthy, it helps motivate us to meet deadlines, and accomplish hard tasks. Negative stress becomes unhealthy and takes a toll on our bodies. “When a person is suffering from addiction, their stress response and their addiction become intertwined in unhealthy ways. Instead of driving them to respond appropriately to life’s challenges, stress will instead drive them further into their addiction.”
Fortunately, many resources are available to help addicts recover healthy brain functions and eliminate negative stress. Citizens for Decency’s website lists several resources under the Recovery tab. If you or someone you know struggles with pornography addiction, know that hope and healing can be achieved.
Citations
Fight the New Drug. “Is Porn as Harmless as Society Says It Is?” Fight the New Drug, https://fightthenewdrug.org/3-reasons-why-watching-porn-is-harmful/.