Based on research that has found links between pornography and ‘mental and physical illnesses,’ among a host of other societal and individual ills, Arizona yesterday declared pornography a public health risk* – a year after Florida did the same.
Republican Senator Sylvia Allen said it is a powerful move ‘because it’s the first time in Arizona we’re making a statement… about the epidemic of pornography.’
Porn public health risk declaration is based in scientific evidence
Below, we cite two articles on this issue that, in our opinion, are conclusive:
- JAMA Psychiatry which affirms (JAMA Psychiatry. Simone, K. and Gallinat, J. 2014. Brain Structure and Functional Connectivity Associated with Pornography Consumption.JAMA Psychiatry, 71(7), 827-834). “Since pornography appeared on the Internet, the accessibility, affordability, and anonymity of consuming visual sexual stimuli have increased and attracted millions of users. Based on the assumption that pornography consumption bears resemblance with reward-seeking behavior, novelty-seeking behavior, and addictive behavior, we hypothesized alterations of the frontostriatal network in frequent users.” (read more HERE).
- Likewise, a recent systematic review offers conclusive evidence, it was published last January in the Journal of Clinical Medicine and in the US National Library of Medicine and said “As far as we know, a numbe
r of recent studies support this entity as an addiction with important clinical manifestations such as sexual dysfunction and psychosexual dissatisfaction. Most of the existing work is based off on similar research done on substance addicts, based on the hypothesis of online pornography as a ‘supranormal stimulus’ akin to an actual substance that, through continued consumption, can spark an addictive disorder. However, concepts like tolerance and abstinence are not yet clearly established enough to merit the labeling of addiction, and thus constitute a crucial part of future research. For the moment, a diagnostic entity encompassing out of control sexual behavior has been included in the ICD-11 due to its current clinical relevance, and it will surely be of use to address patients with these symptoms that ask clinicians for help.” The Abstract of this official article affirms, “Online pornography use is on the rise, with a potential for addiction considering the “triple A” influence (accessibility, affordability, anonymity). This problematic use might have adverse effects in sexual development and sexual functioning, especially among the young population. We aim to gather existing knowledge on problematic online pornography use as a pathological entity. Here we try to summarize what we know about this entity and outline some areas worthy of further research.” (see HERE entire study).
r of recent studies support this entity as an addiction with important clinical manifestations such as sexual dysfunction and psychosexual dissatisfaction. Most of the existing work is based off on similar research done on substance addicts, based on the hypothesis of online pornography as a ‘supranormal stimulus’ akin to an actual substance that, through continued consumption, can spark an addictive disorder. However, concepts like tolerance and abstinence are not yet clearly established enough to merit the labeling of addiction, and thus constitute a crucial part of future research. For the moment, a diagnostic entity encompassing out of control sexual behavior has been included in the ICD-11 due to its current clinical relevance, and it will surely be of use to address patients with these symptoms that ask clinicians for help.” The Abstract of this official article affirms, “Online pornography use is on the rise, with a potential for addiction considering the “triple A” influence (accessibility, affordability, anonymity). This problematic use might have adverse effects in sexual development and sexual functioning, especially among the young population. We aim to gather existing knowledge on problematic online pornography use as a pathological entity. Here we try to summarize what we know about this entity and outline some areas worthy of further research.” (see In this sense, many organization are fighting to have pornography recognised as a health risk in a lot of countries, for example in Australia (see HERE).
*The role of local government is to ensure the community is protected from public health risks. Council is responsible for monitoring and enforcing its own Local Laws and the Public Health Act 2005.
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