Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 11, 2026
07:30
Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
Published on: August 18, 2020
7.4K
Substance use patterns among individuals with problematic pornography use: A scoping review
Cerina Dubois1,2, Elizabeth C Danielson3, Tim Schwirtlich4
1Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.
PLOS Global Public Health
|November 12, 2025
Summary
This review found limited research on problematic pornography use (PPU) and substance use, with alcohol, cocaine, and smoking showing correlations. More consistent studies are needed to understand this relationship.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Pornography consumption is prevalent globally.
- Problematic pornography use (PPU) may co-occur with substance use, increasing risks for addiction and mental health issues.
- Limited research exists on the intersection of PPU and substance use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review substance use patterns and associations in individuals with PPU.
- To summarize various operational definitions and measures of PPU.
- To identify gaps in the current empirical research.
Main Methods:
- Scoping review of four major databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO) up to December 4, 2024.
- Included studies investigated associations between substance use and PPU or chronic pornography use.
- Analyzed 8 eligible cross-sectional studies out of 949 retrieved references.
Main Results:
- Alcohol, cocaine use, and smoking showed positive correlations with PPU.
- Findings were not statistically significant for other substances or substance use disorders.
- Substance use classifications and PPU operationalizations varied significantly across studies.
Conclusions:
- A substantial knowledge gap exists regarding the relationship between PPU and substance use.
- There is a lack of standardized measures for assessing PPU.
- Longitudinal studies with consistent PPU definitions are needed to clarify associations with substance use.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
391
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
391
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
1.1K
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not...
1.1K
01:17Drug Dependence
1.6K
Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...
1.6K
01:28An Overview of Psychoactive Drugs
536
Psychoactive drugs impact brain function, influencing perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and behavior. These substances are grouped based on their effects and the mechanisms by which they act.
Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, and nicotine enhance brain activity, leading to increased alertness, attention, and energy. These drugs typically raise heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. While they can induce feelings of euphoria, their misuse can result in severe health...
Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, and nicotine enhance brain activity, leading to increased alertness, attention, and energy. These drugs typically raise heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. While they can induce feelings of euphoria, their misuse can result in severe health...
536
01:27Horney's Sociocultural Approach
1.0K
Karen Horney's psychoanalytic theories emphasize the potential for self-realization and the importance of addressing social and cultural, rather than biological, factors in personality development. She challenged traditional Freudian views, particularly Freud's concept of "penis envy," which she argued stemmed from cultural influences rather than inherent biological differences. Horney believed that any sense of inferiority in women was a result of societal conditioning, such as...
1.0K
01:14Psychosexual Theory of Development
2.1K
Sigmund Freud's psychosexual theory of development suggests that early childhood experiences significantly shape personality and behavior. Freud proposed that development is discontinuous, occurring in five distinct stages, each defined by a focus on different erogenous zones. He believed that failure to resolve the conflicts specific to each stage successfully could result in fixation, potentially influencing behavior as adults.
The Five Stages of Psychosexual Development
Freud's psychosexual...
The Five Stages of Psychosexual Development
Freud's psychosexual...
2.1K