Recently, many of you participated in a survey regarding the content you wanted more posts about. One of the topics mentioned was that of the relationship between porn and affairs.
Let me start by stating that viewing porn does not cause a person to have an affair. Although it doesn’t cause an affair, it puts the viewer in a state of arousal where they’re more vulnerable to an affair.
To make it easier to grasp, I’ll start with the 1,000 yard view of what happens rather than the nuts and bolts of which parts of the brain are involved.
When you are aroused, you’re easier to manipulate. It’s easier talking you into things.
When aroused, you’re more willing to consider behaviors that you wouldn’t engage in when not aroused. In that state of arousal, your emotions and passion over ride your common sense and logic.
The greater the state of arousal, the easier you can be manipulated. When your brain is stimulated by porn, a transformation begins.
Visual porn arouses you and then begins manipulating your emotions. It begins rewiring your brain.
It gets you worked up and then directs your arousal in the directions chosen by the pornographer. They suggest possible ways of satisfying your arousal.
That is where the seeds of affairs or unnatural acts are planted. It starts as ideas and images presented as ways of either increasing arousal or gratifying the arousal.
Visual porn starts training your emotions as to what is attractive, who you should be attracted to and what kind of release is most gratifying. Where things get scary is that porn starts a dehumanizing process.
Over time sex becomes more animal like and less about love or affection. This is where the risk of affairs is high. The less personal the act of love making, the higher the risk of affairs happening or sexual addiction developing.
If you want more information on topics like this or want a place to share your struggle, the support community at Restored Lifestyle is something you want to join. There you can share your experiences along with ways of dealing with them and restoring your marriage and family.
Best Regards,
Jeff
