Pornography has never been easier to access and consume. While experts don’t agree on labeling its problematic use as “addiction,” its use targets the same areas of the brain as substances. And its use can be detrimental to health and well-being.
New on Health Science Radio, we’re joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Danielle Sukenik, LMFT, assistant professor of psychiatry at CU Anschutz. She shares what the research says about the problematic use of pornography – and the impact its use has on the individuals and couples she sees in practice.
This is the third installment in a CU Anschutz Newsroom series exploring addiction, a serious public health issue our doctors and researchers are working hard to address.
“There’s a spectrum of the impact of pornography on a human, and it's not all negative,” Sukenik said. “But like anything, there can be a line in which a behavior or a pattern crosses and becomes problematic.”
Problematic, indeed. On this episode, you’ll hear what researchers know about the impact pornography has on the developing brain. And how its use can lead to less satisfaction in relationships, increased infidelity and higher levels of sexual dysfunction. Plus, learn how pornography impacts mental health and well-being – and how violent and exploitive adult content is influencing what kids understand about sex.
So what do parents need to know about talking to their kids about pornography? How do you start a conversation with a partner their use? And how do you know if your own use has crossed the line? Tune into this episode of Health Science Radio to find out.
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