Short answer, yes. Multiple studies have found that engaging in casual sex and hook ups actually increases the occurrence of depressive tendencies in college students and adults; even later on in life. But, why does this happen? Isn't sex something that is supposed to be natural and fun? We've all been part of a sexual 'liberation' movement whether you realized it or not. The subject of casual sex is touched upon in several different 'rebel' movements.
The term 'slut shaming' has been used my modern feminists as a way to describe social tendencies to judge women who engage in casual sexual activity. There is a general idea that when men do it, its okay and accepted by society. Without going too much into the evolutionary psychology that goes on in men's vs. women's brains, I will tackle this issue through philosophy and quantitative science evidence.
Throughout media, there has been the development of the concept of empowerment through sex. This is based on the notion that women are more empowered if they embrace their sexuality and exploit it to their own benefit. Modern role-models like Nicki Minaj openly state that her 'twerking' and overly sexual emphasis in her videos and lyrics is actually empowering for women; consequently, normalizing sexual activity and expression as if it was the same and as natural as bowel movements. Modern men role-models have an equal amount of involvement in this sexual embrace. Their music videos and lyrics also depict women as disposable resources and pieces of entertainment no more valuable than a gold chain. The same can be seen the other way around; however, its usually a lot less widespread and rather focused to men in positions of power and wealth.
Considering that we are all surrounded by this explicit imagery, some of us since we were kids, its hard not to develop a bias toward this type of behavior. That is why its so widely spread and at the same time, taking our focus away from what really matters. I mean what matters not only in a more subjective and intrinsic manner, but also in the objective and more quantifiable way.
For the purpose of this article, I'm not going touch upon the contradictory premises in which feminists defend sexual liberation and concurrently shame objectification by media and society. However, I understand that for millennia rulers, religions, and culture have involved casual sexuality with negative connotations. Most of these modern movements are just a backlash of the "oppression" of sexual activity.
All of these social oppressive behaviors that we have seen for centuries might come a little more natural to human beings than we think. It's just a matter of stopping to think for a minute and consider 'why?' did humans feel the need to regulate sexual activity? There is no objective standard for sexual behavior in the natural world, so these thoughts could've given rise from somewhere else. Maybe, they did through our own brain neurology and genetic make-up developed through evolution.
Several studies have shown that humans are a social species. This does not only mean that we tend to be gravitated to friendships and communities, but it also involves the concept of trust, relationships, sex, hunting, gathering, contributing, and child-bearing. It has been found the specific DNA strand that determines how trust-worthy a person is in terms of human relationships. The strand itself only determines the tendency to make impulsive decisions toward instant-gratification (i.e., lack of self control and moderation). However, this has been linked to people who cheat on their partners, friends, and family.
Evolution made it so that those who survived the best were the ones who were able to find connection, trust, and happiness with those who surrounded him. Modern society has been developed to treat relationships as egotistic, temporary, and empty. It may be argued that marketing psychology has something to do with this, as stimulating the instant-gratification buttons in consumer's brains could trigger impulsive irrational purchases. Hence, the widespread glamorizing of sex, ignorance, and material things.
When we engage in any sexual activity, our brains actually start an endorphin and hormone release process related to love and attachment. This happens involuntarily and it also happens through masturbation. So masturbating to pornography could have a similar effect. However, a single time may not be enough to induce attachment to a conscious level. Eventually, the over stimulation of the endorphin release without a proper partner to relate to can cause a sense of anxiety and depression. Apart from the over-stimulation process that later creates neurological conditions optimal for stress hormones to take-over. At this stage you will only find relief after engaging in the same behavior (casual sex and masturbation), effectively creating a vicious cycle.
My suggestions:
- Take a step back and realize that what we see on the media is all just confetti marketing made to control our purchasing habits. All of that is empty, fake, and artificial, just made to condition you into a modern zombie.
- Realize that your brain is a programmable computer and take charge of what its going to think and desire; not let others decide for you.
- Seek meaningful relationships. This includes friendships, lovers, business partners, etc.
- Understand the chemical process that goes in your head and be mindful of who you share your intimacy with.
- Understand and embrace what is not up to you (instincts and biological predetermined behavior).
If all of this sounds too hard its because you are long into the programming. You have to know that when you stop engaging in this behavior, when you stop feeding your brain bullshit media, and start being more mindful of your actions, the rest will happen naturally. You will NOT desire those things anymore after you un-teach what has been brainwashed into you.
I want to leave you guys with a concept that I have even personally tattooed on my body.
Good luck and wish for your utmost peace of mind!