Seventeen years ago, Fight the New Drug started as a small grassroots movement with a bold idea: that conversations about the harms of pornography could be rooted in science, compassion, and real stories.
Since then, this movement has reached millions worldwide through research-based articles, social media education, podcasts, documentaries, and live presentations in schools and communities. We’ve stood on stages with students, sat with parents searching for answers, partnered with educators, collaborated with researchers, and assisted individuals who want help breaking free from porn’s influence.
We’ve amplified the voices of survivors of exploitation. We’ve shared the experiences of former performers. We’ve highlighted peer-reviewed research from neuroscientists, psychologists, sociologists, and public health experts. We’ve helped people understand how pornography can affect the brain, relationships, mental health, and culture, and we’ve invited them to make informed decisions for themselves.
And along the way, we’ve changed too.
New research has deepened our understanding of the issue, and listening to countless personal stories has shaped how we speak, with more empathy, more nuance, and more trauma-informed awareness.
Seventeen years later, this isn’t just a campaign. It’s a global conversation grounded in research and driven by people who care about connection, dignity, and real love.
Here are 17 research-backed reasons to reconsider porn — one for every year of fighting for real love.
1. Porn Is Linked to Lower Relationship Satisfaction
When researchers follow couples over time, they consistently find that porn use predicts declines in relationship quality. A nationally representative longitudinal study found that pornography consumption predicted decreases in marital quality over timePerry, 2017, Archives of Sexual Behavior, 46(2), 549–559, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0770-y)Copy .
A large meta-analysis reviewing multiple studies found pornography consumption associated with lower interpersonal and sexual satisfactionWright, Tokunaga, Kraus, & Klann, 2017, Human Communication Research, 43(3), 315–343, https://doi.org/10.1111/hcre.12108Copy .
Recently, a 2024 study of cohabiting couples found that more frequent pornography use was linked not only to lower relationship satisfaction for the consumer, but also to lower sexual satisfaction for their partner Nolin, Bőthe, Villeneuve, & Vaillancourt-Morel, 2024, Archives of Sexual Behavior, Advance online publication, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-02899-1Copy .
Porn doesn’t just stay on a screen. It can show up in a relationship.
2. Porn Use Predicts Higher Divorce and Separation Risk
Research tracking married couples over time found that pornography use predicted marital separationPerry, 2018, Archives of Sexual Behavior, 47(6), 1869–1880, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-017-1080-8Copy .
Another nationally representative study found pornography use associated with increased likelihood of divorce, even after accounting for initial marital happiness Perry & Schleifer, 2018, The Journal of Sex Research, 55(3), 284–296, https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2017.1317709Copy .
These studies don’t say porn automatically ends marriages. They do show that it can become a meaningful risk factor.
3. Porn Shapes the Brain’s Reward System
A neuroimaging study found that higher pornography consumption was associated with reduced gray matter volume in part of the brain involved in reward processing, the part that helps you feel motivation and pleasure, along with altered connectivity in reward circuitsKühn & Gallinat, 2014, JAMA Psychiatry, 71(7), 827–834, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.93Copy
It also found that the communication between parts of the brain involved in reward and motivation was different in people who consumed more porn.
Another study found that individuals with compulsive sexual behaviors showed heightened neural responses to sexual cues in brain pathways similar to those activated in substance addiction Voon et al., 2014, PLoS ONE, 9(7), e102419, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0102419Copy .
A 2025 study review found that people with problematic porn habits show changes in the part of the brain that drives motivation and cravings, especially in how it responds to cues and rewards. Lichte, Kyuchukova, Stark, Brand, & Antons, 2025, Current Addiction Reports, 12, Article 91, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-025-00702-2Copy .
Because the brain is neuroplastic, repeated experiences strengthen neural pathways Hilton, 2013, Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology, 3, 20767, https://doi.org/10.3402/snp.v3i0.20767Copy . In simple terms, the more something activates your reward system, the more your brain learns to prioritize it.
4. Porn Is Associated with Sexual Dysfunction
Some clinicians have observed a growing number of young people reporting sexual difficulties alongside heavy porn use.
A clinical review reported associations between heavy internet pornography use and sexual dysfunction, including erectile difficulties and decreased arousal during real-life partnered sexPark et al., 2016, Behavioral Sciences, 6(3), 17, https://doi.org/10.3390/bs6030017Copy .
Research comparing arousal responses found differences between pornography-induced arousal and arousal during real-life sexual contact Laier et al., 2013, Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 2(2), 100–107, https://doi.org/10.1556/JBA.2.2013.002Copy . Some consumers report being unable to become aroused with a real person and require pornography to perform.
When expectations are shaped by constant novelty, real-life intimacy can feel different.
5. Porn Use Is Linked to Depression and Anxiety
Many people report using porn to cope with stress or difficult emotions, while the research suggests that the strategy may backfire.
Problematic internet pornography use has been associated with depression and psychological distress Harper & Hodgins, 2016, Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 5(2), 179–191, https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.5.2016.022Copy .
Using pornography as emotional avoidance has been linked to increased depression, anxiety, and stress Levin, Lillis, & Hayes, 2012, Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 19(3), 168–180, https://doi.org/10.1080/10720162.2012.657150Copy .
A 2025 longitudinal study found that problematic pornography use and psychological distress were closely linked. Engelhardt et al., 2025, Addictive Behaviors, 169, 108398, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108398Copy .
Relief may feel temporary. The underlying patterns can persist, and may even get worse.
6. Porn Is Associated with Loneliness
A longitudinal study found loneliness predicted pornography use — and pornography use predicted increased loneliness over timeButler et al., 2018, Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 44(2), 127–137, https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2017.1321601Copy .
A 2024 study found problematic pornography use associated with higher loneliness, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation among young adultsAltin et al., 2024, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(9), 1228, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph210912228Copy .
Connection is protective. Isolation often intensifies risk.
7. Porn Frequently Depicts Violence & Aggression
Researchers analyzing popular pornography found that between 33% and 88% of scenes contained physical aggression, and most of time the violence was against women. Bridges et al., 2010, Violence Against Women, 16(10), 1065–1085, https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801210382866Copy .
In 95% of those scenes, the targets of aggression responded neutrally or positively.
Repeated exposure to those patterns can shape beliefs about what is “normal” in sexual relationships.
8. Porn Use Is Linked to Increased Sexual Aggression Risk
A meta-analysis found pornography consumption associated with increased sexual aggressionWright, Tokunaga, & Kraus, 2016, Communication Monographs, 83(2), 183–205, https://doi.org/10.1080/03637751.2015.1102908Copy .
Exposure has also been linked to increased rape myth acceptance and decreased bystander intervention intentions in experimental researchFoubert, Brosi, & Bannon, 2011, Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 18(4), 212–231, https://doi.org/10.1080/10720162.2011.625552Copy .
A 2024 two-year longitudinal study found associations between pornography use frequency and intimate partner violence perpetration among young adult couplesVasquez et al., 2024, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 39(21–22), https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605241234656Copy .
These findings do not claim that every viewer becomes violent. They show pornography can interact with other risk factors in meaningful ways and normalize sexualized violence.
9. Porn Is Linked to Objectification
Pornography exposure has been associated with increased sexual objectification of womenMikorski & Szymanski, 2017, Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 18(4), 257–267, https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000058Copy .
Experimental research found that degrading pornography increased sexist attitudes compared to non-degrading contentSkorska, Hodson, & Hoffarth, 2018, The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 27, 261–276Copy .
The more porn people consume, the more people become objects to be used for gratification. Countless users have described viewing individuals on screen and in real life as merely objects to be used.
10. Porn Is Unhealthy Sex Education
More than 79% of teens who have seen pornography report using it to learn how to have sexRobb & Mann, 2023, Teens and Pornography, Common Sense MediaCopy .
A review of longitudinal research found associations between sexually explicit material use and adolescents’ sexual attitudes and behaviorsKoletić, 2017, Journal of Adolescence, 57, 119–133, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.04.006Copy .
Porn often teaches scripts centered on performance, dominance, and unrealistic bodies rather than mutual respect and communication.
11. Porn Use Can Escalate Over Time
Neuroscientific reviews suggest that tolerance and escalation patterns in problematic pornography use resemble those seen in substance addictionLove et al., 2015, Behavioral Sciences, 5(3), 388–433, https://doi.org/10.3390/bs5030388Copy .
Individuals seeking treatment frequently report escalation toward more extreme materialWordecha et al., 2018, Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 7(2), 433–444, https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.7.2018.33Copy . Some consumers say they started to consume porn that they previously found disgusting.
Escalation reflects the brain’s adaptation to repeated high-intensity stimulation. The escalation happens gradually over time, most users don’t even notice how far they’ve escalated.
In speaking with individuals charged with consuming CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material), many perpetrators started off consuming mainstream adult pornography, but as their habit escalated, they needed more novel, extreme versions. This doesn’t mean everyone who consumes porn will do the same, but it’s important to be aware of how escalation can lead you to content you’d never thought you’d click.
12. Porn Can Affect Body Image
Longitudinal research has found pornography exposure associated with increased body dissatisfactionPeter & Valkenburg, 2014, Human Communication Research, 40(3), 341–361, https://doi.org/10.1111/hcre.12020Copy . Constant exposure to edited, produced, and curated bodies shapes expectations for viewers and for partners.
13. Porn Is Linked to Lower Sexual Satisfaction
Frequent pornography use has been linked to lower sexual satisfaction in relationshipsWright et al., 2017, Human Communication Research, 43(3), 315–343, https://doi.org/10.1111/hcre.12108Copy .
Digital novelty can compete with real-world intimacy.
14. Porn Is Linked to Reduced Commitment
Higher pornography use predicts lower commitment and greater infidelity risk over timePerry & Davis, 2017, Sexuality & Culture, 21(4), 1157–1176, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-017-9444-8Copy .
Porn can quietly shift expectations about exclusivity and emotional investment.
15. The Porn Industry Profits from Nonconsensual Content & Abuse
Investigative reporting documented major pornography platforms hosting nonconsensual and exploitative contentKristof & Browning, 2020, The New York TimesCopy .
Former performers have described coercion, abuse, and exploitation behind mainstream scenes.
Every click contributes to demand in an industry where consent and safety are not always transparent. There is no way to know what’s really going on behind the screen.
16. Porn Is Connected to Sex Trafficking
Federal prosecutions such as United States v. Pratt (GirlsDoPorn) documented coercion and trafficking in pornography production (U.S. Department of Justice, 2022). Countless women were trafficked into producing pornography, to have their abuse filmed and monetized globally.
Sex trafficking is legally defined as commercial sex induced by force, fraud, or coercion (22 U.S.C. § 7102). And it’s more common in the industry than you’d think.
Legal cases demonstrate how structural exploitation can intersect with pornography production, and how pornography fuels the demand for trafficking.
Pornography is the 2nd-most common form of sex trafficking, according to cases reported to the National Human Trafficking HotlinePolaris. (2022). Analysis of 2021 data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Retrieved from https://polarisproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Polaris-Analysis-of-2021-Data-from-the-National-Human-Trafficking-Hotline.pdfCopy .
17. The Brain Can Heal
It’s crucial to know that, as you’ve read this list and realized it might be time to reconsider your porn use, healing is possible. The same neuroplasticity that wires habits also supports recovery.
Research suggests guilt can motivate behavioral change, while shame predicts increased problematic pornography useGrubbs et al., 2015, Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 29(4), 1056–1067, https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000114Copy .
Change is possible, especially when people are supported, informed, and empowered. So, reason #17 to consider before watching porn? To let your brain heal and to become the person free of the negative impacts of pornography.
17 Years. Still About Love.
For 17 years, Fight the New Drug has focused on science, compassion, and real stories.
Pornography has become more prevalent, more embedded in our digital culture. Yet the research continues to show the negative impacts. We continue to receive weekly messages from Fighters worldwide who have experienced broken relationships, mental health challenges, and exploitation, all at the hands of pornography.
Our mission is more critical than ever. To educate individuals on the harmful effects of pornography using science, facts, and personal accounts, so that they can make an informed decision about pornography.
Real love and a world without exploitation is still worth fighting for.
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Most kids today are exposed to porn by the age of 12. By the time they’re teenagers, 75% of boys and 70% of girls have already viewed itRobb, M.B., & Mann, S. (2023). Teens and pornography. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense.Copy —often before they’ve had a single healthy conversation about it.
Even more concerning: over half of boys and nearly 40% of girls believe porn is a realistic depiction of sexMartellozzo, E., Monaghan, A., Adler, J. R., Davidson, J., Leyva, R., & Horvath, M. A. H. (2016). “I wasn’t sure it was normal to watch it”: A quantitative and qualitative examination of the impact of online pornography on the values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of children and young people. Middlesex University, NSPCC, & Office of the Children’s Commissioner.Copy . And among teens who have seen porn, more than 79% of teens use it to learn how to have sexRobb, M.B., & Mann, S. (2023). Teens and pornography. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense.Copy . That means millions of young people are getting sex ed from violent, degrading content, which becomes their baseline understanding of intimacy. Out of the most popular porn, 33%-88% of videos contain physical aggression and nonconsensual violence-related themesFritz, N., Malic, V., Paul, B., & Zhou, Y. (2020). A descriptive analysis of the types, targets, and relative frequency of aggression in mainstream pornography. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 49(8), 3041-3053. doi:10.1007/s10508-020-01773-0Copy Bridges et al., 2010, “Aggression and Sexual Behavior in Best-Selling Pornography Videos: A Content Analysis,” Violence Against Women.Copy .
From increasing rates of loneliness, depression, and self-doubt, to distorted views of sex, reduced relationship satisfaction, and riskier sexual behavior among teens, porn is impacting individuals, relationships, and society worldwideFight the New Drug. (2024, May). Get the Facts (Series of web articles). Fight the New Drug.Copy .
This is why Fight the New Drug exists—but we can’t do it without you.
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