Over 100 quick stats and findings from an ever-growing body of research that details the effects of porn for individuals, relationships, and society.
Some experts have determined four major brain changes common to addicted brains—sensitization, desensitization, hypofrontality, and a malfunctioning stress system— all of which can be found in cases of pornography consumption.
The majority of young people are exposed to porn by the time they’re 13, according to research involving young people in the UK.
Research shows that while feeling guilt can motivate healthy change, feeling shame actually fuels problematic porn habits.
According to a nationally representative survey of U.S. teens, 84.4% of 14 to 18-year-old males and 57% of 14 to 18-year-old females have viewed pornography.
Because of desensitization, many porn consumers find themselves consuming more porn, consuming more often, or consuming more extreme forms of pornography.
Porn is considered a supernormal stimulus.
Porn consumption is associated with lower self-esteem.
Research shows remarkable neurological similarities between substance addiction and compulsive pornography consumption.
People who use porn as a self-soothing technique tend to have some of the lowest reports of emotional and mental wellbeing according to a 2017 study.
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