Public Health Scientist Debunks 'Porn Addiction,' Criticizes Political Abuse of Term

Public Health Scientist Debunks 'Porn Addiction,' Criticizes Political Abuse of Term

WASHINGTON — Influential Washington-based publication The Hill this week ran an opinion piece by a public health scientist, debunking the unscientific myth of “porn addiction” and criticizing its rampant political use — chiefly by religious conservatives — to justify anti-free-speech legislation.

Joshua B. Grubbs, an associate professor of psychology and an investigator at the Center on Alcohol, Substance Use, and Addiction at the University of New Mexico, explained that the current onslaught of propaganda, from “earnest op-eds to toothless legislation calling pornography a ‘public health crisis,’ to calls for warning labels,” lacks grounding in “what careful scientific research has taught us about pornography use.”

In an essay titled “Is Pornography Really Warping Our Brains, or Is It a Moral Panic?” Grubbs explains that, as a psychology professor and addiction researcher, he has “made a career out of understanding pornography use and its effects, publishing dozens of scientific studies on the topic.”

In the course of that work, he notes, “the most consistent finding is that simple narratives like ‘porn is bad’ or ‘porn is good’ are flawed. Such assertions, and the arguments that underpin them, always miss key information and are almost always wrong.”

According to Grubbs, the science simply does not support the outlandish claims of “those who foment panic about pornography” by claiming that it “leads to addiction and mental health problems, damages the brain, results in violence against women, and drives epidemics of sexual dysfunction.”

“Claims that pornography is inherently addictive are without basis,” Grubbs concludes. “Some people do become out of control in their use of pornography, but the same can be said of exercise, shopping or even working. Yet, there is no rush to label most of these things as addictive because not every habitual behavior is an addiction.”

To read “Is Pornography Really Warping Our Brains, or Is It a Moral Panic?,” visit

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

TrustyFans Introduces New Blog

Creator directory TrustyFans has introduced an official blog to its site, titled "From Hidden to Hype."

JustFor.fans' Dominic Ford Featured in Wired Magazine

JustFor.fans Founder and CEO Dominic Ford is featured in a new article in Wired Magazine, titled "The Internet Revolutionized Porn. Age Verification Could Upend Everything."

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos Joins ProDx Health Advisory Board

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos has joined the Advisory Board of ProDx Health.

Aylo Fined $5 Million as FTC, Utah Settle Safety Practices Complaint

The Federal Trade Commission and the state of Utah on Wednesday settled a complaint against Aylo, requiring the company to pay a $5 million penalty and implement measures to prevent illegal content from appearing on its sites.

New AI Companion Platform 'Pornstar.love' Launches

Pornstar.love, a new AI companion platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support, Stripchat to Host 'Navigating Thoughts of Suicide' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Stripchat are hosting a free online support group to help performers deal with suicidal ideation.

Plaiir Names Cade Maddox as Lead of Creator Relations

Networking platform Plaiir has appointed Cade Maddox as its new lead of creator relations.

Go.cam Launches 'One-Line Integration' Verification Solution

Go.cam has introduced a one-line code integration for age verification.

XBIZ Amsterdam to Debut 'Behind the Lens' Screening Series

XBIZ is pleased to announce the debut of “Behind the Lens,” a new screening series presenting discussions with noted directors, taking place at the upcoming annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam.

'White Rabbit' Party Headed for XBIZ Amsterdam

XBIZ is pleased to announce the White Rabbit Party, an XBIZ Amsterdam special event set to take place Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Show More