Sex is one of the most expressive forms of intimacy between two people (or more, depending on the case). We undress, physically and emotionally, and expose ourselves as we are. But what exactly is a pornosexual?
We start from the fact that those who are pornosexual enjoy pornography for pure sexual gratification. But what is the caveat? That your choice to view pornography is exclusive ; that is, there is no possibility of sexual intercourse in real life, but it becomes the only way in which a person can become aroused and reach orgasm. It is only achieved with pornography.
Why does this happen? Using porn to replace real sex becomes a drug that numbs the desire to be more intimate with someone , to create a deep connection. And it is no longer needed, no longer sought and no longer desired. It is much easier to relate to a computer, smartphone or tablet than with a complicated person of flesh and blood.
Pornosexuality is, therefore, an emergent phenomenon in which the sexual orientation of the individual is linked only to pornography.
Pornosexuality is not a sexual orientation comparable to being heterosexual or bisexual since, in this case, sexual pleasure is not derived from a “real” person, face to face. It is true that viewing pornography is a useful way to explore and learn about sexual desires, but moderation is key. Too much can skew the balance and render body and brain numb, ultimately choosing the option of porn as a replacement for real-life sex.
“Since all their sexual gratification is self gratification, they have never learned the social skills classes for forming healthy and intimate relationships,” explains Lawrence Siegel, a clinical sexologist and sex education consultant at the Modern Institutes of Sex Therapy.
The rise of porn in the digital age
A study called ‘Brain Structure and Functional Connectivity Associated With Pornography Consumption’ and published in the JAMA of the Journal of the American Medical Association , concluded that 66% of men and 41% of women watch porn, whether or not on the internet, at least once a month.
The anonymity offered by the network has contributed to the increase in more people who identify as pornosexuals. Considering that men are generally more likely to use porn, their likelihood of identifying as such increases.
Pornosexuality differs from other sexual orientations because it is a learned behavior, devoid of attachment links and communication between humans.
Several studies have shown that porn consumption can affect the brain, altering its structure and functioning, and increasing the likelihood of addiction to this behavior. Dopamine production is more active when viewing pornography. Thus, this neurotransmitter arises in response to anticipation and expectation, inviting us to pleasure ourselves while consuming pornography. In other words, if something prior – for example, watching porn – is associated with the subsequent sensation of pleasure, dopamine begins to be manufactured.
On the other hand, using pornography as the sole source of pleasure can decrease the sensitivity of the brain’s reward center, causing that the more porn is observed, the less activity in the brain’s reward centers -and the more it is needed-, according to a study carried out by German researchers and published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. Hence, the brain of a porn addict is often compared to that of a drug addict or alcoholic.
