Pornography consumption

One thing these websites have in common with all other digital media is their constant battle for our attention. Our brains are easily tricked in this regard; the techniques are based on well-known algorithms and fundamentally build upon our curiosity. The effect on our brain—the repeated release of dopamine—maintains our attention for as long as possible, keeping us glued to the screen. This dopamine release leads to a need for repeated stimuli to feel fulfilled, potentially resulting in a strong addiction. Besides the advertising revenue and our data for the industry behind it, the content of these sites has a strong impact on our behavior regarding our own sexuality. This blog post deals with the effects of regular porn consumption on one's sex life.
Philip Schmiedhofer, MSc

Autor

Philip Schmiedhofer, MSc

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Watch porn. What does regular porn consumption do to us?

Pornography, or colloquially erotic films, is usually based on the work of professional artists who, with a script and film set, attempt to present an optimized version of sex for their target audience, mostly men.

What types of pornography consumption are there?

According to scientific studies on the topic of pornography and pornography consumption, three types of porn consumers have been classified.

What effect can watching too much porn have on our sex life?

The following effects often occur in connection with excessive porn consumption, but they can of course have other causes as well.

How can CANNEFF CBD suppositories help with the effects of increased pornography consumption or watching too much pornography?

As explained in the previous section, the effects of increased pornography consumption are diverse.

Watch porn. What does regular porn consumption do to us?

Pornography, or colloquially erotic films, are generally based on the work of professional artists who try to depict an optimized version of sex for their target audience, mostly men, using scripts and film sets. They utilize deeply rooted psychological aspects such as exercising control, the focus - penetration, or showing strong performance/strength in an exaggerated manner. In doing so, they hit the emotional weaknesses and fears (e.g., performance pressure, loneliness, or fear of losing control) of men right at the core. A large portion of consumers of sexual content are men, and most of the content is created by men for men. Another trend, live cams, aims to fulfill the wishes and fantasies of consumers, mostly men, as best as possible via webcam. Capitalism and the unequal distribution of money lead to mainly young women from precarious backgrounds engaging in this work. Platforms like Livejasmin are by far the most visited internet portals offering sexual content. Unlike prostitution, actual sexual intercourse/sex does not take place here. However, the emotional and psychological component is present, and the learned patterns are further reinforced.

The average age for starting porn consumption is 11 years. Thus, pornographic content takes on a dominant role in the education of children and adolescents about sexuality. This has major consequences for sexuality, the interaction with the partner, and the creativity to experience one’s own and shared sexuality, leading to a distorted idea of what normal sexual interaction actually entails.

The upbringing we experience, as well as the society in which we grow up, usually leads to men communicating less on their emotional level and thus also basing the topic of sexuality less on this. Women, on the other hand, talk more often about their feelings, including those they want to experience in their own sexuality. Without stigmatizing, men often reduce feelings during sex to the sensation of pleasure. However, the connection and security that both women and men can experience during sex is also a deeply cherished desire for men. Consuming pornography often creates a balance for men in this confused situation, whereas this is often missing for women. Unfortunately, in many relationships, excessive porn consumption by the partner, both in the past and present, leads to problems in the shared sex life. Usually, it is the women who suffer from this. Different types of problems and effects related to sexuality arise, which we explain further below.

 

What types of pornography consumption are there?

According to scientific studies on the topic of pornography and porn consumption, three types of porn consumers have been classified:

  1. The “leisure consumers”, who make up the majority (three quarters of respondents), those who sometimes consume porn but have not noticed any negative effects on their sex life.

The remaining quarter is divided into two similarly sized groups:

  1. The “highly desperate but not compulsive consumers” and 
  1. The “compulsive consumers” 

The good news is that the majority of people surveyed who consume porn in a reasonable dose have no or minimal effects on their sex life and are sometimes even more satisfied. Apparently, the saying also applies to porn: "The dose makes the poison!"

A significant portion of around 25% feel strong effects in their sex life. What these effects are is explained in the next paragraph.

What effect can watching too much porn have on our sex life?

The following effects often occur in connection with excessive porn consumption but can of course have other causes. Consequently, problems in the partnership repeatedly arise due to increased porn consumption.

  1. Less foreplay due to increased porn consumption:
    Since in a large part of porn films penetration is emphasized, or a one-sided foreplay through oral satisfaction of the man is shown, this overall results in less foreplay during intercourse for couples. Foreplay in sex is very important for fulfilling sex for both partners. For women, good foreplay leads to more relaxation and better vaginal fluidity. Penetration with too dry a vagina can lead to Pain and injuries of the vagina lead.

  2. Less creativity and fixed routines due to increased porn consumption: The almost always recurring sequences of scenes shown in porn films cause our sex to become just as monotonous, and as a result can lead to less desire for sex. We suppress our own curiosity and thus find it more difficult to identify common interests and preferences.
     
  3. Additional sexual practices due to increased porn consumption:
    Various sexual practices are a good thing in mutual interest. However, if there is a one-sided desire for certain sexual practices because they are often shown in porn, such as anal sex, this can lead to problems. Anal sex can certainly be something nice, as the anus has many nerves that are stimulated during it. Unlike portrayed in porn films, most people are not able to have anal sex spontaneously and without preparation without pain, fears, or even injuries such as Fissures in the anus (anal tear) to suffer. Many people, mostly women, still decide to please their partner in this aspect and thus ignore their own feelings. Problematic is also an excessive use of implied violence due to excessive porn consumption, e.g. choking, with difficult distinction from sexual violence.
  4. Erection problems and less desire for sex due to increased porn consumption: When expectations in the bedroom are not met because they are based on ideas and comparisons with porn, it leads to frustration and reduced desire for sex. 

  5. Porn addiction: Although there is no specific medical classification for this yet, it currently falls under the "International Classification of Diseases" (ICD-11) "Compulsive sexual behavior disorder" according to the World Health Organization (WHO). About three percent of the male population in Germany seem to be affected. A direct influence on the structure of our brain is the subject of ongoing research.

  6. Less sex as a result of increased porn consumption:
    Less desire for sex also means less sex. Very unfortunate when it could be the most beautiful thing in the world. All statistics point in the same direction. People are having less sex than ever before. Of course, the reasons for this are far-reaching. One of them, but also increased porn consumption. This brings significant negative effects on individuals such as less satisfaction, less exercise, less vitality, poorer hormone balance, poorer immune function, etc., as well as on society such as fewer offspring and higher divorce rates.

  7. Painful sex due to increased porn consumption:
    The scenes depicted in pornographic content usually do not reflect reality. Directly imitating the sexual practices shown requires preparation, relaxation, and mutual interest, without suffering pain and injuries. Pain during sex is probably the most unpleasant effect with possible long-term consequences. You can learn more about this in our blog post on Pain during intercourse.

Pain during sex

How can CANNEFF CBD suppositories help with the effects of increased pornography consumption or watching too much pornography?

As explained in the previous section, the effects of increased pornography consumption are diverse. CANNEFF CBD Suppositories cannot directly influence porn consumption naturally. Rather, they can affect some physical consequences such as Pain during intercourse, Vaginal dryness, Fear during sex, Injuries of the vagina, Anal fissures (anal tears) help. The special Combination of hyaluronic acid and CBD in suppository form supports the healing of injuries in the vaginal and anal region. CANNEFF VAG SUP CBD vaginal suppositories contribute to achieving better lubrication in the vagina and reducing pain during intercourse. Due to increased blood flow, there can be a bilateral improved sensation when using CANNEFF CBD Suppositories come, and thereby also improve your sex life. CANNEFF SUP Rectal suppositories with CBD and hyaluronic acid improve healing in complaints of the anus, such as fissures, anal tears, Anal fistula or Hemorrhoids and relieve pain, itching and oozing in inflammations of the anus and rectum. Also learn, how CBD can improve your sex life.

 

Philip Schmiedhofer, MSc

Philip Schmiedhofer, MSc

Philip is managing director and co-founder of cannhelp GmbH. With studies in medical engineering and molecular biology, specialized in brain science and focusing on cannabinoids, he is recognized as an expert in the use of cannabinoids in medicine. As a medical device consultant, he also leads the sales of cannmedic and offers specialized advice for medical professionals. His expertise includes the development and sales of cannabinoid-based products. In the field of research, he participates in significant basic research at the Centre for Brain Research of the Medical University of Vienna. As co-founder and current managing director of cannmedic GmbH, a pioneer in the trade of CBD medical devices, he has many years of entrepreneurial experience. Furthermore, he maintains an extensive network in the field and advises internationally operating companies in the area of medical cannabinoids.