Porn and video game addiction leading to 'masculinity crisis', says Stanford psycholo

[Big Al AdministratorPEGym EditorMale Enhancement Coach Rep.PEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close Big Al]

We're seeing more articles like the following concerning porn addiction and its effects on the mind:

Porn and video game addiction leading to 'masculinity crisis', says Stanford psychologist - Science - News - The Independent

[Park Lib Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Park Lib]

I heard about this article on the news briefly the other day but couldn't find it. Thanks Big Al

[popol5169 Senior Member Member of the Month Nov 2014 Find all posts View Profile Close popol5169]

The article mentioned on the page you linked to, which I had already come across, is also interesting:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...sfunction-myth

Both of these studies identify that there is very little existing research that examines the rates of erectile dysfunction in young men. Historically, this has been studied and treated predominantly in older men. However, society has undergone a dramatic shift in the past years, as medications for erectile dysfunction have become more widely available. Since 1999, when Bob Dole appeared in commercials for Viagra, there appears to have been a decrease in the stigma associated with disclosing erectile dysfunctions. The high numbers of disclosure of erectile dysfunction in young men may reflect this change, and not an increase in the rates actually experienced.
But, on what do Miallon and Capogrosso blame these high rates of erectile dysfunction in young men? The answer is not pornography. In fact, pornography use doesn’t come up in either of these studies, nor in any of the reports of these young men. Mialon, et al., found that young men’s erectile dysfunction was linked to use of medication without a prescription, to a low level of sexual experience, and to both mental and physical health. Tobacco use, alcohol use and drug use were also significant predictors. Capogrosso, et al, found similar results, where young men presenting for treatment of ED reported much higher rates of cigarette smoking and alcohol use, when compared to their older counterparts

It is frankly surprising to many of us that one-quarter to one-third of young men may experience erectile dysfunction. But, I think that the surprise about these rates is likely tied to the fact that throughout history, this wasn’t something that was researched, or disclosed by young men. So, any report of ED in young men is surprising, because we have long believed that this just doesn’t happen to young men.


These perspectives remind me of other documents also available on the Pubmed site, treatises (link is external)from the 1800’s on the dangers of masturbation and “self-pollution.” These arguments were introduced to medicine in the 1700's by Samuel Tissot, but also occur in many religious/spiritual traditions, such as Eastern religions that discuss "Chi" and the tantric offshoot called Karezza. All of these theories are based on the nonscientific concept that orgasm/ejaculation somehow deplete a person's energy, just like athletic coaches commonly tell athletes to refrain from sex prior to competition.
I’m glad the reddit no-fap site, and the yourbrainonporn sites are inviting and encouraging young men to share their stories, to discuss sexuality, and helping these young men to educate themselves about their sexuality. Those are all good things, though I worry that these sites are great examples of the dangerous power of social psychology. Peer pressure, conformity theory, expectancy theory and sample bias can all lead to an impression that these anecdotes are more representative than they may truly be.
The porn use reported by these individuals is not "a single variable" but involves masturbation, and significant time on the Internet, affecting their daily schedule, physical health, relationships, etc. Any or all of these variables may also affect erectile function and are not discussed in a simplistic "blame-porn" approach.



UPDATE (3-27-15): Two recent studies have been published by researchers who examined whether there truly is a potential epidemic of porn related erectile dysfunction. Prause and Pfaus published this study (link is external)in Sexual Medicine, finding that porn use did not predict sexual dysfunction, but instead, predicted higher levels of sexual responsiveness.
Landripet and Stulhofer (link is external) studied European men from Croatia, Norway and Portugal, and found that there was no reliable connection between porn use and sexual dysfunction. Indeed, there was no statistical relationship between men who use higher rates of pornography, and reports of sexual dysfunction. There were inconsistent but weak associations with moderate use of pornography. However, such inconsistent associations suggest most likely that porn use may only be related to sexual dysfunction as an indirect variable. In other words, porn use is not a valuable marker to use or address, and rates of sexual dysfunction in young men are still best explained by the issues described above.
These two studies actually address the frequent complaints by those who cry out that there's no evidence that porn causes E.D. simpoly becase there's been no study of erectile dysfunction, which considers the high levels of Internet porn use among young men today. Now, there are two studies, both conducted independently, by respected researchers. And neither find any evidence to support this myth. Alas, I'm sure that rather than accept these data and findings, true believers will find ways to discount this evidence, and remain committed to the belief that porn "broke their penises."

[Big Al AdministratorPEGym EditorMale Enhancement Coach Rep.PEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close Big Al]

Remember that porn is a only catalyst- not the cause. You can have two men view porn over time and both of them may use it differently.

The man who is mentally well adjusted and secure might not use it for libido release at all, whereas the man who has intimacy issues and insecurities might use it as his only sexual outlet.

[kickinthemebs Senior Member Member of the Month Feb 2014 Find all posts View Profile Close kickinthemebs]

Very very true!

Remember that porn is a only catalyst- not the cause. You can have two men view porn over time and both of them may use it differently.

The man who is mentally well adjusted and secure might not use it for libido release at all, whereas the man who has intimacy issues and insecurities might use it as his only sexual outlet.

[RedBullCan Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RedBullCan]

No, they're not.
In today's world you just have more possibilities of escapism than ever.
Plus there are barely great male role models since even men 40+ and 50+ are self-obsessed and offer little to no guidance.

[turtler Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close turtler]

Plus there are barely great male role models since even men 40+ and 50+ are self-obsessed and offer little to no guidance.

You sure you're looking hard enough? I mean, you don't have to look any further than this forum to find many excellent male role models offering very valuable guidance.

And since it's his thread: Big Al is always worth listening to. Consistently sound advice. Always.

[mannakonda Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mannakonda]

Interesting stuff Big Al!

But the fact that i like porn and love video games is kinda depressing...

[Big Al AdministratorPEGym EditorMale Enhancement Coach Rep.PEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close Big Al]

Interesting stuff Big Al!

But the fact that i like porn and love video games is kinda depressing...

Remember where I wrote that those things are merely catalysts. Has viewing porn and playing video games caused you to neglect more important things in your life?

[mannakonda Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mannakonda]

Remember where I wrote that those things are merely catalysts. Has viewing porn and playing video games caused you to neglect more important things in your life?

No I dont think porn has. But videogames have caused me skipping or coming late to some things, but nothing serious I guess

[Dontrike Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dontrike]

Remember where I wrote that those things are merely catalysts. Has viewing porn and playing video games caused you to neglect more important things in your life?

Video games always run that risk of missing stuff. When you get into it you lose track of time.

[Big Al AdministratorPEGym EditorMale Enhancement Coach Rep.PEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close Big Al]

Video games always run that risk of missing stuff. When you get into it you lose track of time.

When you allow it to start affecting your real life activities, then that's when problems happen. Any hobby can become harmful if its abused.

[Dr Ric Head of My Penis Doctor Find all posts View Profile Close Dr Ric]

When you allow it to start affecting your real life activities, then that's when problems happen. Any hobby can become harmful if its abused.

Agreed, there has been such proliferation of porn, that incremental rationalization and addictions can progress. As in drinking or smoking or any other potential addiction problems, please be mindful of the amount of time and energy that you spend with such, one will generally know it has become excessive and addictive. Bottom line, Big Al has put it well, and I wish to underscore his comment.

[Dontrike Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dontrike]

When you allow it to start affecting your real life activities, then that's when problems happen. Any hobby can become harmful if its abused.

Yes, but hobbies will always do that from time to time. Missing something inconsequential from time to time shouldn't cause any real problems, but I will agree that if it starts making you miss more important things then you have an issue.

I can say there were many things that I wouldn't have minded missing to do one hobby or another, video games included.

[Pegasus AdministratorPE Gym EditorPEGym Hero ☺ Admin of the Month Mar 2015 Find all posts View Profile Close Pegasus]

Well I would not have believed porn could be a real issue till I became a mod here. Now I do.