Viewing pornography is detrimental to brain function, with the extent of brain malfunction not yet known. Subsequent to the detriment of the mind, are the detrimental affects of pornography on society.

Society has yet to witness the complete results of the proliferation of pornography. Not long ago the use, availability and proliferation of pornography was difficult to ascertain. What’s more, obtaining and viewing pornography was looked at with disdain and shame by the western societies. But those two things have changed in recent years. First, with the proliferation of digital and online pornography, the study of its use is more scientific. Second, due to shifts in popular morality, western society’s view of pornography has softened.

Apart from religious and moral objections to pornography, there is a growing body of research and study into the actual affects of pornography on the human mind. This study and information is absolutely essential for a responsible society.

In a shocking study, Kuhn and Gallinat “found a significant negative association between reported pornography hours per week and gray matter volume in the right caudate…”(Kuhn & Gallant). Gray matter being that which “contains the cell bodies, dendrites and terminals of neurons. . . where all synapses are” (Grey Matter and White Matter). Grey matter is “a part of the brain used for the transportation of information from sensory and motor stimuli”(Grey Matter, Wikipedia).

The loss or reduction in grey matter has been associated with memory loss as well as other issues often associated with growing older(Smith).

Pornography’s affect on the human mind on a molecular level will require farther study and analytical research. A road block to the public’s interest in such study and research is the prevalent and growing notion that pornography use is healthy and normal. Some even consider pornography helpful. There is a false narrative going around that watching pornography is somehow good for people. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

A completely unbiased study of the affects of pornography on familial and other social relationships is difficult to come by. Given the societal problems of child sexual abuse, rape, human trafficking and other forms of sexual abuse, farther scientific study of the affects of pornography on the brain is of absolute importance.

The documented loss of grey matter (Kuhn & Gallant) could give us greater insight into the emotional disconnect of pornography users. Comparing the results of the loss of grey matter to the proposed relationship between sexual assaults and pornography use that has been asserted is helpful in addressing the problem and making a case for reforms to laws affecting pornography’s proliferation.

Works Cited
Grey and White Matter. n.d. In Indiana. edu. http://www.indiana.edu/~p1013447/dictionary/greywhit.htm. 14 June 2016
Kuhn, Simone, PhD & Gallant Jurgen, PhD. “Brain Structure and Functional Connectivity Associated with Pornography Consumption”. JAMA Psychiatry. Web July 2014. 14 June,2016

Grey Matter. 9 June 2016. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_matter. 14 June2016
Smith, Melinda. Age Related Memory Loss. In HelpGuide.Org. http://www.helpguide.org/articles/memory/age-related-memory-loss.htm. 14 June 2016