Why Too Much Porn Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction. Read Before You Click.

Everyone knows that too much of a good thing isn't always good. While addiction is typically associated with activities like drinking, drugs, and gambling, some people can actually get addicted to just about anything. Even some things that seem harmless like food or exercise can become life consuming. 

Regardless of what the object or activity is, the chances are that once behavior moves into the realm of addiction, it is harmful. Considering how widespread the effects of addiction can be, it should be no surprise that addiction to porn is a possibility, and according to statistics, likely on the rise. Addiction to pornography can present both emotional and physiological problems.

How is too much porn associated with ED

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or keep an erection during normal sexual activity. For some it occurs on a rare occasions (sometimes with too much alcohol), for others it's a hit or miss and for others' ED becomes a long term issue (often due to medication). 

ED occurs as a result of a variety of reasons. ED occurs as a result of depression, or poor physical health.

n many cases, erectile dysfunction is caused by something physical. Common causes include: Heart disease, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis, Peyronie's disease — development of scar tissue inside the penis, Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse, treatments for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate.

There are also psychological causes of erectile dysfunction. The brain plays a key role in triggering the response of an erection. Several things can interfere with the connection between sexual arousal and the wiring of the brain to cause sexual dysfunction including: Depression, anxiety, stress, fear connection to the last time a person was unable to perform, and relationship issues. 

But what about from watching pornography? How can that lead to erectile dysfunction? Here’s what the research shows.

Porn and sexual anorexia - While ED mostly affects men over 50, a study in Italy found that an increase in internet pornography viewing among teenage boys can cause “sexual anorexia,” or a pathological loss of appetite for romantic-sexual interactions. The notion that watching too much porn causes ED has since spread like wildfire.

What causes addiction?

People become addicted to various substances for a wide range of reasons. Often times people will use substances to escape their current situation or as a means of coping with stress. Essentially, we identify a substance or activity that gives us pleasure. The pleasure and good feeling becomes associated with the addiction. Basically, addiction is when a substance or activity becomes something we depend psychologically, emotionally or physically. Once a substance or activity isingrained in our lives, it can be very difficult to cultivate independence from it. While things like alcohol, food, or sex can be enjoyed positively, when they are become dependant on,  harm will result. Some people can be around, participate in, or try from time to time and never experience the feelings of an addict. Take the person who can go out and drink socially a few times a month and compare it to the person that is an alcoholic and cannot consume a single sip of alcohol to maintain sobriety. 

The negative effects of pornography

Like any addictive substance, porn can leave users with a tangled mess of side effects. Addictive use of pornography may not be a huge burden on your time at the beginning, but as you progress into your addiction you will find it consuming more and more of your time and energy. This can have noticeable consequences on your romantic relationships, friendships, your children and your career. And if it is an addiction in any capacity it is unhealthy.

The role of porn in erectile dysfunction

While some people can watch porn occasionally, for entertainment or as a prelude to intimate time with their partner, the actual addiction side can present a wide range of consequences such as straining relationships with friends and loved ones, Although there isn’t yet a huge body of research on the subject since porn addiction is a relatively new field of study, the results from early reports indicate that porn addiction will negatively affect men’s sexual health. The problem with addiction in general is that it embeds a habit in a person. The habit itself grows into a means of coping with the challenges presented in everyday life. It’s like walking with a cane. If you’re used to walking with a cane, and then if someone suddenly took the cane away from you, it would likely be very difficult for you to walk, at least at the same speed.