Article ID: JAF1345 | By: William M. Struthers, Ph.D

This article first appeared in Christian Research Journal, volume 34, number 05 (2011). For further information or to subscribe to the Christian Research Journal go to: http://www.equip.org

SYNOPSIS'

Pornography is a powerful force that has become increasingly widespread in Western culture since the advent of the Internet. As the culture has been “pornified,” the ways in which men, women, and sexual attitudes and expectations have been affected are of considerable concern. While pornography is influencing and shaping assumptions about identity, sexuality, the value of women, and the nature of relationships, little discussion has focused on the neurobiological aspects of its allure, addictive properties, and long-lasting effects. Perhaps the appeal of pornography to so many is because it activates a part of our brain that is specifically organized to look for sexual cues. What if pornography merely hijacks a part of our nature that is intended for something better? What if our sexual drive and our neurological nature are wired for intimacy and not just sensuality? In this article, we examine how pornography affects the brain—its hormonal, neurochemical, and neurological consequences that play a role in developing attachments. In addition, by highlighting the sensitivity that many men have to be drawn into pornography, focusing on the male brain’s inherent predisposition toward sexually explicit imagery provides a window into our embodied, created, sexual nature that goes beyond simple reproductive biology. Because we are embodied beings, the impact of viewing pornography hijacks the normal functioning of the brain and the maladaptive patterns we adopt have profound psychological and behavioral effects. It affects not only how we form memories and make attachments but also how we understand sexuality and how we view each other. By grasping the neurobiological realities of our sexual development, we are better able to cultivate a healthy notion of relationships.

Continue reading.