<p>In recent years, the rapid development of the internet has led to an exponential increase in pornography consumption. According to Ropelato (2009), 42.7% of internet users have viewed pornography at least once, and 25% of all daily search engine requests pertain to pornographic material. In India, estimates suggest that 30-70% of total internet usage is related to pornography, with data from popular websites showing that Delhi alone accounts for up to 40% of all national traffic.</p>.<p>One key driver of this trend is the shifting perception that consuming pornography is socially acceptable. However, the mass availability, affordability, and anonymity of online pornographic material raise concerns about its potential to spiral into compulsive behaviours, including <br>internet sex addiction. Studies also link pornography addiction to emotional and physical distress, as well as broader functional impairments.</p>.<p>In contemporary society, drug addiction is still viewed as the most serious form of dependence, while other behavioural addictions—such as porn and gaming—are often trivialised. Yet research suggests a correlation between these forms of addiction. Individuals who exhibit problematic internet use are also more likely to engage in pornography and drug addiction. This pattern points to a broader vulnerability: participation in one addictive behaviour may increase susceptibility to others.</p>.<p>Most addictions begin with pleasure activities that stimulate the brain’s reward systems by boosting dopamine, creating feelings of happiness. As with drug addiction, excessive pornography use can hijack this system. Just as drug users develop tolerance—requiring larger doses to achieve the same effect—porn users may seek longer or more extreme content to achieve the same level of satisfaction. This often leads to binge-watching, tab-jumping, and edging, all of which further reinforce problematic pornography use (PPU). </p>.<p>Like other forms of addiction, pornography use can significantly erode self-control, even when users are aware of the negative consequences. While many turn to porn for immediate gratification or simple pleasure, studies highlight its persuasive power in reinforcing compulsive usage patterns. This process is often linked to “metacognition”—how “individuals think about and regulate their thoughts and desires. A key aspect is “desire thinking,” where people repeatedly fantasise or mentally rehearse the act of watching porn. This includes vivid mental imagery (imaginary prefiguration) and repeated internal dialogue (verbal perseveration). These patterns can increase cravings and foster negative beliefs—such as feeling that one’s thoughts are uncontrollable or harmful. Over time, this can turn into a deeply ingrained mental habit, pushing users to watch porn more than they intend.</p>.<p>During the initiation phase of pornography addiction, metacognitive awareness and conscious engagement are vital. Without these, individuals may enter a psychological “deadlock,” limiting their emotional and sexual development. Among compulsive users, pornography may lose its emotional and relational meaning and devolve into an empty, repetitive act embedded in unconscious behaviour. In such cases, it functions more as a defence mechanism—used to avoid difficult emotions or life challenges—rather than a pursuit of intimacy or growth. This pattern commonly begins in adolescence, triggered by emotional or sexual struggles. This pattern often begins during adolescence, rooted in emotional or sexual difficulties. Factors such as the type of content, timing of use, and associated bodily sensations all contribute to a mental coping system, reinforcing the illusion of relief and control.</p>.<p>Pharmacological treatment alone offers only modest, short-term benefits for porn addiction. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy has shown better outcomes in preventing relapse. Site bans have also proven ineffective; despite India banning 827 pornographic websites, many still access content via VPNs or alternative erotica. Rather than relying on easily bypassed bans, policymakers should implement age-appropriate filters, improve internet regulation, and promote digital literacy. Public awareness campaigns are also essential to educate communities on the mental health impacts of excessive pornography use. </p>.<p>Pornography stimulates the brain by offering immediate rewards, increasing consumption while weakening the ability to delay gratification—critical for achieving long-term goals. India’s school curriculum—currently lacking in education on pornography, addiction, and emotional regulation—should include not only reproductive health but also digital sexual ethics, healthy coping strategies, and self-regulation skills. Given the global nature of internet access, coordinated international policies may be needed to address this issue.</p>.<p><em>(Purnima is an assistant professor and Devaj is an undergraduate student at the Department of Psychological Sciences, FLAME University, Pune) </em></p>
<p>In recent years, the rapid development of the internet has led to an exponential increase in pornography consumption. According to Ropelato (2009), 42.7% of internet users have viewed pornography at least once, and 25% of all daily search engine requests pertain to pornographic material. In India, estimates suggest that 30-70% of total internet usage is related to pornography, with data from popular websites showing that Delhi alone accounts for up to 40% of all national traffic.</p>.<p>One key driver of this trend is the shifting perception that consuming pornography is socially acceptable. However, the mass availability, affordability, and anonymity of online pornographic material raise concerns about its potential to spiral into compulsive behaviours, including <br>internet sex addiction. Studies also link pornography addiction to emotional and physical distress, as well as broader functional impairments.</p>.<p>In contemporary society, drug addiction is still viewed as the most serious form of dependence, while other behavioural addictions—such as porn and gaming—are often trivialised. Yet research suggests a correlation between these forms of addiction. Individuals who exhibit problematic internet use are also more likely to engage in pornography and drug addiction. This pattern points to a broader vulnerability: participation in one addictive behaviour may increase susceptibility to others.</p>.<p>Most addictions begin with pleasure activities that stimulate the brain’s reward systems by boosting dopamine, creating feelings of happiness. As with drug addiction, excessive pornography use can hijack this system. Just as drug users develop tolerance—requiring larger doses to achieve the same effect—porn users may seek longer or more extreme content to achieve the same level of satisfaction. This often leads to binge-watching, tab-jumping, and edging, all of which further reinforce problematic pornography use (PPU). </p>.<p>Like other forms of addiction, pornography use can significantly erode self-control, even when users are aware of the negative consequences. While many turn to porn for immediate gratification or simple pleasure, studies highlight its persuasive power in reinforcing compulsive usage patterns. This process is often linked to “metacognition”—how “individuals think about and regulate their thoughts and desires. A key aspect is “desire thinking,” where people repeatedly fantasise or mentally rehearse the act of watching porn. This includes vivid mental imagery (imaginary prefiguration) and repeated internal dialogue (verbal perseveration). These patterns can increase cravings and foster negative beliefs—such as feeling that one’s thoughts are uncontrollable or harmful. Over time, this can turn into a deeply ingrained mental habit, pushing users to watch porn more than they intend.</p>.<p>During the initiation phase of pornography addiction, metacognitive awareness and conscious engagement are vital. Without these, individuals may enter a psychological “deadlock,” limiting their emotional and sexual development. Among compulsive users, pornography may lose its emotional and relational meaning and devolve into an empty, repetitive act embedded in unconscious behaviour. In such cases, it functions more as a defence mechanism—used to avoid difficult emotions or life challenges—rather than a pursuit of intimacy or growth. This pattern commonly begins in adolescence, triggered by emotional or sexual struggles. This pattern often begins during adolescence, rooted in emotional or sexual difficulties. Factors such as the type of content, timing of use, and associated bodily sensations all contribute to a mental coping system, reinforcing the illusion of relief and control.</p>.<p>Pharmacological treatment alone offers only modest, short-term benefits for porn addiction. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy has shown better outcomes in preventing relapse. Site bans have also proven ineffective; despite India banning 827 pornographic websites, many still access content via VPNs or alternative erotica. Rather than relying on easily bypassed bans, policymakers should implement age-appropriate filters, improve internet regulation, and promote digital literacy. Public awareness campaigns are also essential to educate communities on the mental health impacts of excessive pornography use. </p>.<p>Pornography stimulates the brain by offering immediate rewards, increasing consumption while weakening the ability to delay gratification—critical for achieving long-term goals. India’s school curriculum—currently lacking in education on pornography, addiction, and emotional regulation—should include not only reproductive health but also digital sexual ethics, healthy coping strategies, and self-regulation skills. Given the global nature of internet access, coordinated international policies may be needed to address this issue.</p>.<p><em>(Purnima is an assistant professor and Devaj is an undergraduate student at the Department of Psychological Sciences, FLAME University, Pune) </em></p>
