Today's culture has turned porn consumption into something accepted as if it's a form of entertainment or a substitute for sex. Unfortunately what most people don't realise is that porn is just like any deadly illegal drug. The only difference is that it's “acceptable,” free and legal for anyone above the age of 18 to watch. But even for an "adult" watching porn is wrong and harmful and even worse for underage people who use it.

Pornography can be compared to any drug you can imagine, and in each case, it’s either as harmful or even worse. Many deny this truth because it’s hard to accept, especially when clinging to comforting lies. People often hold on to these things because they seem to fill an emptiness in their lives. But neither porn nor drugs should ever be used as a means to cope with life's challenges.

How Porn Affects the Brain

Our brains are always developing naturally, but when we engage with unnatural mechanisms or substances, like pornography, we disrupt their functions in an unhealthy way. This alteration occurs due to a process called neuroplasticity, which is also responsible for forming habits. For example, you can learn a skill like playing the piano and even after not practising for a year or more, your brain will still retain the ability to remember how to play. After a few attempts, you’ll find yourself performing it almost as you used to.

This is not just a memory but the brain changing itself into a brain built for that specific task (playing the piano). When it comes to watching porn the brain does the same thing because for an addict watching porn is not a one-time thing. It involves repetition sometimes once a day or five times a week. So because of this, your brain changes itself into a brain built to indulge in porn and it trains itself to be better at it, which is why addicts are good at hiding their addiction.

When the brain adapts to learn a good habit, like practising coding every day, it’s a positive thing. The brain integrates this skill, making it part of who you are. Unfortunately, the same process applies to pornography. Porn provides such an intense level of pleasure that it can make real sex feel undesirable in comparison. This happens because the flashy and "beautiful" images and sounds on the screen overstimulate the brain, creating an unrealistic and unhealthy perception of intimacy.

In porn, you see people with what would be considered "perfect" bodies and you get to see hundreds and thousands of people of different shapes, races, sizes and so forth. This makes it seem like you have unlimited access to having sex with all those men or women. This is what ends up causing trouble for people in relationships to the point where we hear stories of people cheating on their spouses or finding them less attractive.

Letting go of porn addiction may seem impossible, but it is entirely achievable. We will explore how in the next paragraph of this article. For now, consider this: have you ever looked at a stranger and imagined engaging in the vile acts you’ve seen in porn? These imaginations and fantasies are fuelled by pornography, which conditions the brain to view people as mere objects for sexual use. This distorted view makes it difficult to experience genuine emotions like love and compassion towards others.

How to Recover From the Effects

Recovery is not easy, but it is possible. Many people wish for an overnight miracle to free themselves from porn addiction, but that’s rarely the case. Since the brain has adapted to this habit, breaking free requires effort and accountability. You need to be intentional about the process, seeking support and putting in consistent work to truly let go and embrace a healthier life.

One thing you should know is that once the brain adapts or changes due to porn addiction, the habits and wiring will always linger somewhere in the brain. This is why it’s crucial to stay vigilant even after reaching milestones, such as abstaining from porn for a year. For instance, if you are an adult (18 or older), marriage is the best place to experience healthy, fulfilling sex with your spouse. Nothing compares to the intimacy shared within marriage.

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. - 1 Corinthians 7:1‭-‬2 ESV

For others, I understand that you might not be old enough to get married or have other restrictions preventing you from getting married. But you can do something like learning a skill, especially one that can land you a job, for example, video editing, playing an instrument, learning a language, website or app development etc. This can help you replace porn with a good habit. Also make sure you have a hobby you love like gaming, gardening, painting etc.

Another example could be finding a constructive outlet for your energy, such as pursuing a passion or hobby. Engaging in activities like sports, music, or creative arts can keep your mind focused on positive goals, reducing the likelihood of relapse. Additionally, surrounding yourself with a strong community of supportive friends or mentors can provide encouragement and accountability, helping you stay on track in your recovery journey.

Reaching 90 days free from porn is a significant achievement, and it can greatly boost your ability to resist future urges. The longer you stay away from porn, the stronger your resistance becomes. The key is to rewire your brain with healthier and safer habits. If you’ve been using porn to cope with pain, trauma, or similar struggles, it's crucial to seek therapy tailored to address those underlying issues. Therapy can help you heal and break the cycle, ensuring that you don’t turn back to unhealthy coping mechanisms like pornography.

Free Resources to Use (Not Sponsored)

For now this is the only resource that I know is free for everyone to use. The Freedom Fight is a website and app that you can access on your computer or phone and it's available on iOS, Android and the web. You can use this app to track your emotions each day, keep count of how long you have been free from porn and have accountability partners monitoring your progress.

You can rely on a trusted friend or two to check in on you through the app, where they’ll receive notifications about your progress. The app also offers a free course to support you on your recovery journey. Additionally, they provide a 30-day reading plan on the YouVersion Bible app, designed to help you learn how to overcome this addiction with Biblical guidance.

Conclusion

You are not alone, pray to God and ask Him to assist you in this journey. Many people are also in this struggle and they are also working hard to overcome it just like you are. Seek Christ and ask Him to help you with the right friends and to guide you, He died for your sins and He will always be there to help you.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - Matthew 6:33 ESV

About Daniel Hebron

Daniel Hebron founded Boot Motivation in 2022 with the aim of inspiring and empowering society through Christian values and beliefs, creating a platform that promotes faith, personal growth, and positive change.