Are there legit side effects to porn addictions? While you won’t actually get hairy palms from masturbating too much, (nor will you go blind), porn addiction's side effects are real. But addiction looks different than occasional use, and addiction requires help to overcome. Here are some signs and symptoms that point toward porn addictions:

• “Sometimes I feel powerless to resist the draw of porn.” - If any habit becomes nearly impossible to resist, it is showing that is has power over you. This can include drinking, eating, sex, porn, or any number of things.  

• “I lose track of time when viewing porn.” - Have you ever started clicking on porn sites only to look up and realize that hours have passed? This is a red flag for potential porn addictions.

• “I’ve tried to stop, but I was unsuccessful.” - Something that seems hard or impossible to live without can turn into a trap fast.

• “I watch porn even when there’s a real risk of negative consequences.” - Porn addicts will view porn at work, home, or school even when they know there will be serious repercussions (like getting fired) if they get caught.

• “I have felt anxious or angry when I can’t access porn.” - These are warning signs of sexual rage disorder, and are big red flag that porn is not just a casual habit for you.

• “I spend more time than I’d like to admit thinking about porn and planning my day around my ‘porn time.’”

If you are willing to get real with yourself, you’ll see that these are not the symptoms of an occasional user. These are symptoms of porn addicts.

Can I get rid of my porn addiction side effects?

Yes, you can! There is always hope and there is absolutely help available to you (right now.) Your brain is plastic; it can change, grow, and heal. Sex and porn addictions carve new pathways in the brain, but freedom from addiction leads to actual physical healing of the brain!

Addiction can cause harmful changes in the brain, including:

• • Frontal lobe shrinkage. “This is a big problem because the frontal lobes of the brain are the part that deal primarily with choice, logic, and reasoning. This change is one of the main reasons scientists believe sexual compulsion and addictions can become so powerful, it’s like we’re missing the part of our brain that helps us make good choices. That’s why frequent consumers — even the ones who want to quit — keep returning back to negative behaviors.” -Fight The New Drug

• Shortened attention span.

• Symptoms like anxiety, adult ADD, and depression.
• Relational attachment disorders.

But don’t panic! There is a silver lining! The brain can grow back! “Like anything, it takes time for the frontal lobes to recover, but daily victories will make a big difference in the long run. The best part is that as our brain gets healthier, recovery gets a little easier. Think of it like a muscle that gets bigger and stronger the more you use it — the longer you stay away from porn, the easier it is to do so.” -Fight The New Drug