Porn has got a bit a bad rep over the years. From accusations that it’s rewiring people’s brains and perceptions on sex, to causing erectile dysfunction.
Then there was the time when the government banned porn that focused on female pleasure. That wasn’t great either.
Most recently, it has been blamed for fueling sexual addiction by researchers by the University of Cambridge.
Luckily, other research suggests that it might not be as bad you think. We’ve compiled together some of the scientifically suggested benefits of pornography that might put you a little at ease.
Here are six reasons why pornography might be good for you after all.
- It increases libido
There might be evidence to suggest that porn can lead to an actual sex addiction (though that’s argued, a lot, among experts). But for those whose sex drive might be a little on the low side, maybe it could help.
This study by the University of California found that a positive correlation between the time spent watching porn and the desire to have sex.
‘This pattern suggests that those who view more visual sexual stimuli (VSS) are likely to have a higher sexual drive,’ researchers wrote in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
- It doesn’t cause erectile dysfunction
The same study also looked at porn’s effect on erectile dysfunction. It found no relationship between the numbers of hours watched weekly and erectile functioning with a partner.
So if you’re having problems getting hard in the bedroom, then your porn habit isn’t to blame.
(Picture: Metro/ Steven Legere)3) It relieves stress
You wouldn’t be blamed for thinking this a common benefit of most sexual activity. But yes, watching porn can do it too.
Looking at sexy pictures can help to decrease stress, according to research by the Carnegie Mellon University.
When your body gets stressed, it produces a hormone called cortisol that might disrupt the brain’s problem-solving abilities.
So in case you were wondering why you got a mind-blank everytime you panicked or felt really stressed during an important exam or interview, that’s why – it’s cortisol’s fault.
But the study found that men who looked at hot pictures of women performed 50 per cent better on a math portion of a stress test compared to guys who looked at non-sexual photos.
Researchers concluded therefore looking at the pictures reduced the stress response in the brain.
- It could help you to discover and share your kinks safely
Porn can be a way to discover your sexuality in a way that has fewer emotional or health consequences on you or other people.
‘Porn can really help you explore what your likes and dislikes are,’ Dr. Madeleine Castellanos, New York psychiatrist and sex therapist, told Mic.
‘You can really discover what resonates with you sexually.’
It can be then become a tool to broach the subject of your kinks with a sexual partner, so ‘I saw this which I’d like to try…’ becomes part of a relationship.
Even space porn, if that’s your thing5) The more hardcore the better, according to science
For some, the realms of hardcore porn might be a place they don’t dare roam. Whips and chains can be a bit frightening.
But turns out, it might actually reap more benefits than problems.
This Danish study of both men and women found a positive relationship between the amount of hardcore porn watched and impact on participants’ sex lives, attitudes towards sex, their perceptions and attitudes towards members of the opposite sex.
- And the growth of ethical porn means you can feel morally comfortable
With the prevalence of slapping and ejaculating on women in the fantasies of men who watch porn according to University of Arkansas, you might be right to be concerned it can be a bit derogatory towards women.
But the growth of the ethical porn movement could help us put our minds to rest.