The terrifying effect internet porn is having on men

Jon Ronson's Audible podcast The Butterfly Effect charts the remarkable effect free online pornography has had on the world.

The seven-part series uncovers consequences it's unlikely anyone would have predicted, including a man paying porn stars to destroy his stamp collection and Porn Hub videos replacing fluffers.

One particularly haunting interview from the podcast is with the president of sex dolls company 1amdoll USA, only named as Brent. His business is booming – and he believes he has the adult industry to thank, telling Ronson:

Part of the success for our company has been the overuse of pornography.

Brent explains that many men who buy sex dolls feel the need to explain why to manufacturers – and often their explanations can disturb.

I've had a couple of customers who have said I go to the bar and take a girl home at 3am and she's a little fatter than I'd like her to be or she's not as cute... So they turn to the doll because the doll can be put in the position they want.

That's not the only reason to worry.

Research in 2017 found excessive pornography viewing could be affecting men’s libidos and putting them at risk of sexual dysfunction.

A panel discussion held at the 112th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association has highlighted results from a recent survey which found that men’s obsession with porn could be ruinous to their psychosexual health.

The researchers, led by Dr Matthew Christman, a staff urologist and program director for paediatric urology at the Naval Medical Centre of San Diego, reported that the more time men spend on free sites the less likely they are to be able to connect with a real-life partner in the bedroom.

As a result, intimacy can become extremely challenging and romantic or sexual relationships can be severely damaged.

To listen to the original series click here.

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