What begins as a choice to watch pornography can evolve into a neurological and physical battle, with new research showing that frequent viewing rewires the brain in ways that mirror drug addiction.
The new study, published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, gives insights into how frequent pornography use may rewire the brain’s reward and control circuits, leading to neurological arousal, behavioral changes, and possible dependency, comparable to that observed in opioid addicts.
Obsession-Led Brain Rewiring
Conducted at Chengdu Medical College in China, the study involved 21 healthy college students who watched pornographic content to varying degrees and had no history of substance use. The participants were split into two groups: occasional, low-frequency pornography use, and those with a chronic obsession.
Arsh Sarao is a health reporter for The Epoch Times. She holds a Master's degree in Biotechnology and a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Chemistry. She taught life sciences for 11 years before working as an editor for Epoch Inspired for 7 years. She focuses on health, wellness, and traditional value topics.
