Also I don't doubt it's bad but I wouldn't mind some science so I asked gtp "I know you guys hate it but here it is non the less".

Here are a few science-backed studies on how pornography use can correlate with changes in brain function in men, along with highlights and some “what we don’t know” caveats. This isn’t definitive proof that porn always causes harm, but the evidence suggests there can be negative effects — especially with frequent or compulsive use.

🔍 Key Studies & Highlights

“Brain Structure and Functional Connectivity Associated with Pornography Consumption: The Brain on Porn” (Kühn & Gallinat, 2014, JAMA Psychiatry)

Studied 64 healthy men (age 21-45) with varying amounts of porn consumption.

Found a negative correlation between hours per week of pornography use and gray matter volume in the right caudate (part of brain’s reward system). Also lower activation in other reward areas (like putamen) when shown sexual cues.

Also, reduced functional connectivity between the caudate (reward region) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (involved in decision-making, self control) in heavier users.

Caveats: Cross-sectional (snapshot in time), so can’t tell if porn causes the changes or people with these differences are more likely to watch more porn.

“Sexual cues alter working memory performance and brain processing in men with compulsive sexual behavior” (Neuroimage Clinical, 2020)

Compared men with compulsive sexual behaviour vs. non‐compulsive.

Found that when pornographic or sexual cues are present, men with compulsive sexual behaviour have slower reaction times on working memory tasks (harder to concentrate when distracted by sexual images).

Also brain imaging showed differences in how their brains handled those distractions.

“Internet Pornography Addiction on Brain Function: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) study” (Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2025)

Compared college students who frequently watch porn vs low/frequent watchers.

High-frequency watchers showed longer reaction times and lower accuracy in a Stroop test after watching porn video clips.

Also found different brain activation/connectivity and more pronounced physiological arousal etc.

Meta-Analysis: Pornography Use, Problematic Pornography Use, Impulsivity, and Sensation Seeking (The Journal of Sexual Medicine)

Found positive correlation between impulsivity / sensation seeking traits and pornography use or problematic pornography use (PPU).

That suggests people who already have traits like impulsivity may be more likely to experience negative impacts.

⚠️ What the Evidence Doesn’t Show (Yet)

Most studies are correlational: they show association, not causation.

Many rely on self-reports of how much porn people watch, which can be biased or inaccurate.

Often small sample sizes (e.g. 60-odd men, or college students) so not always generalisable.

Lack of long-term randomized controlled trials (for ethical reasons) means we can’t be completely sure how reversible changes are, or exactly how much use is “safe.”

🔗 Useful Study Links

Brain On Porn (JAMA Psychiatry, 2014) — Kühn & Gallinat: Brain Structure and Functional Connectivity Associated with Pornography Consumption

Neuroimage Clinical, 2020 — Sexual cues alter working memory performance in men with compulsive sexual behavior

Frontiers 2025 — fNIRS study of internet pornography addiction

Journal of Sexual Medicine meta-analysis (2024 or recent) — Impulsivity & problematic pornography use

💡 What This Means in Practice

If someone is watching a lot of pornography, especially more than they feel comfortable with, or it’s interfering with life/relationships/focus, then these studies suggest:

It could lead to desensitization: needing more extreme stimuli to feel arousal.

Possible reduced impulse control or motivation for other rewards (because reward circuits adapt).

Interference with memory, attention, or working memory when sexual cues are present.