Dr Alan Mandell said ‘too much sexual stimulation is not good’ and could lead to erectile dysfunction
A doctor has recently highlighted the risks associated with watching too much adult content, specifically pointing to its potential link to erectile dysfunction.
Dr. Alan Mandell, known as the Motivational Doctor online, has been active on social media discussing the negative effects of consuming excessive amounts of adult films and frequent masturbation.
He warns that such habits could eventually lead to difficulties in achieving or maintaining an erection.
The problem:
In his social media video, Dr. Mandell talks about the problems that arise from “watching too much pornography and masturbating all the time.”
He explains that this can cause a person with a penis to struggle with getting or keeping a firm erection necessary for satisfactory sexual activity.
He continues: “Too much sexual stimulation is not good. You’re overloading the reward system in your brain that’s causing dopamine, those happy chemicals that are being secreted from the brain.
“And eventually, you will get desensitized to sexual stimulation. So when you start cutting out porn and masturbating you will see significant results.”
Watching too much adult film content may lead to problems down the roadGetty Stock Images/ Peter Dazeley
This perspective is supported by other medical professionals as well.
How adult film consumption can impact the brain:
Regarding how adult film consumption impacts the brain, HealthMatch indicates that erectile dysfunction could indeed be ‘porn-induced’ (PIED).
It mentions that ‘several studies’ have identified ‘a link between compulsive pornography use and reduced sex drive and/or ED’.
The site adds that while it’s ‘still unknown whether excessive pornography consumption is more likely to be a direct cause or just something associated with ED’, PIED is considered a ‘psychological rather than physical’ factor, with ‘excessive viewing of pornography contribut[ing] to erection difficulties by impacting the brain’.
You could end up struggling to get an erection in real-life sexual situations if you watch too much adult film contentGetty Stock Images/ Djavan Rodriguez
Some experts believe that too much exposure to adult films can make viewers ‘desensitized to real-life sex’, resulting in someone’s ‘real-life partnered sex no longer meet[ing]’ the expectations set by porn consumption.
Health Match echoes Dr. Mandell’s comments, noting: “Because of the conditioning and desensitization, partnered sex may no longer trigger the sufficient release of dopamine needed for producing and sustaining erections.
“This is also because pornography is believed to alter the brain’s motivational system. Due to all these reasons, [people] who watch excessive pornography may need greater sexual stimulation to be aroused and get an erection.”
But just how widespread is this issue?
The debate and scale of the issue:
HealthMatch reports erectile dysfunction can indeed be ‘porn-induced’ (PIED) and that ‘several studies’ have found ‘a link between compulsive pornography use and reduced sex drive and/or ED’.
According to the site, approximately 30 million men in the US are currently experiencing this condition.
With many causes of ED identified, the ‘increasing rates of sexual dysfunction in men under the age of 40’ might suggest a link, at least in part, to internet pornography.
There’s support available if you feel like your adult film consumption is interfering with your ability to perform in real lifeGetty Stock Images / Cat Gwynn
Very Well Health notes that about 40 percent of erectile dysfunction cases are considered psychogenic, meaning they stem from psychological factors that affect the ability to achieve or maintain an erection during sex.
Support:
So, if you’re experiencing difficulties with getting or maintaining an erection, it might be worth examining your consumption of adult content.
Consulting with a mental health professional or a doctor could help you understand the underlying issues.
If diagnosed with PIED, there are several support options available, including talking therapy, mindfulness techniques, and exercise, all of which can assist you as you reduce your intake of adult film content.
