Scientists Scanned the Brains of Hardcore Gooners and Found Something Ominous
Watching a whole bunch of smut has some major side effects — and no, we're not just talking about stained bedsheets.
In a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, researchers at the Chengdu Medical College in China found that people who watch a lot of pornography had lower cognitive performance and showed signs of neurological arousal akin to opioid addiction.
It's new data in a swirling debate over whether watching porn — or how much — affects cognition, emotional regulation, and our relationships. The battle has raged on for years in academic journals, but has gained increasing prominence as a divisive political and social issue in recent years (complicating matters further, there's a broad medical consensus that masturbation is healthy.)
The Chengdu researchers are squarely in the "porn sucks" category with this study. Using an experimental cohort of 21 heterosexual, mostly male college students — 16 who said in a survey they only watch adult content on occasion, and five who were described as having a "severe" internet porn addiction — the team used a brain imaging technique to measure how the habit was affecting cognition.
Known as functional near-infrared spectroscopy or fNIRS, this imaging method looks at brain activity by shining a near-infrared light through the scalp and seeing how much of its light is absorbed by the hemoglobin in the brain.
Using a fitted fNIRS cap and additional instruments that recorded facial expressions and vital signs, the researchers looked at the brain and body feedback coming from those 21 college students while they watched a 10-minute-long X-rated clip. Before and after the viewing session — in which the participants were asked to not masturbate, we should note — the students performed tests designed to measure cognitive function.
The brain readings of the two groups turned out to be vastly different. The occasional porn watchers exhibited stronger neural connectivity in brain regions related to language, movement, and sensory processing. And the "gooners," to use cultural parlance for people who are seriously hooked on erotica, had heightened connectivity in regions related to executive function, addiction, and emotional regulation.
The gooner squad also showed higher emotional and physiological arousal than their less-porn-watching counterparts, and their facial expressions when watching the clip showed a wide variety of emotions ranging from happiness to anger — though strangely, the study also found they appeared more "numb" than the lower-frequency group. In sum, the study suggests, the effects were similar to opioid users who experience intense calm, euphoria, and blurry perception.
Physiologically, there were similarities between both groups during the viewing sessions — but the changes exhibited were often more dramatic in the gooners. Both groups had lowered heart rates during the session, but the effect was more pronounced in the more dedicated smut consumers. The same was true for the lowered cognitive performance both groups showed post-porn, which declined more steeply in the high-frequency porn watchers.
These results aren't entirely surprising. A 2021 study found that problematic porn watchers suffer deficits in everything from working memory and decision-making to inhibition control and attention span; a 2014 paper found reductions in gray matter volume associated with consuming adult content.
Though there will obviously need to be more and larger studies to figure out what's going on physically and neurologically with gooners, this research seems to demystify porn's effects on frequent watchers — not to mention an interesting new datapoint in the debate over the seriousness of porn addiction, too.
More on porn: Government Website Caught Hosting "Gay Impregnation" Content
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ottai Unveils Revolutionary AI-Powered Biosensor Set to Transform Chronic Disease Care
Groundbreaking Technology Empowers Patients to Take Control of Their Health HONG KONG, June 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ottai, an Oxford-originated pioneer in AI digital health innovation, today announced the launch of its next-generation AI-powered wearable designed to revolutionize chronic disease management. This breakthrough device continuously monitors key biomarkers, leverages AI for real-time analysis and health log input, enhances patient-device interaction, and delivers personalized lifestyle recommendations. The Ottai biosensor disrupts the paradigm of traditional chronic disease monitoring—characterized by manual input, periodic lab tests, and reactive symptom management—by offering continuous monitoring paired with AI-driven automated and personalized inputs. It integrates deep learning algorithms to analyze vast amounts of real-time biomarker data and health logs, delivering actionable, tailored recommendations. The biosensor also supports intuitive voice-activated commands, allowing users to ask questions and add inputs while receiving real-time, personalized advice. "The Ottai biosensor represents a critical step toward scalable, patient-centric care," said Dr. Calvin Wang, Research Scientist at Ottai. "It represents a new era in healthcare—where we combine biosensing with AI to provide a dynamic and adaptive tool that evolves with patients' health needs and supports long-term disease management." The biosensor uses AI to power a smart health companion that supports users in real time: Real-Time Biomarker Analysis: Track critical health metrics like glucose and detect episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia continuously. The device is validated against medical gold standards and CE-approved for its accuracy and reliability. Personalized Recommendations: AI algorithms process data to suggest lifestyle, dietary, and activity adjustments, optimizing long-term health outcomes. Voice-Activated Health Logs and Lifestyle Inquiries: Interact with the biosensor via voice commands to effortlessly log health data, dietary and lifestyle habits, personalized questions, receiving real-time, actionable responses. AI-Driven Data Analysis: Advanced machine learning algorithms to analyze complex datasets, that offers users real-time insights into their health trends and risks. Seamless Integration with Other Health Apps: Syncs with other health-tracking platforms such as Apple Health and smartwatches for users' best convenience. About Ottai Ottai is a leader in empowering individuals with actionable insights to prevent and manage chronic conditions. With a mission to make chronic disease management more accessible, personalized, and proactive, Ottai aims to revolutionize the healthcare landscape with advanced, user-friendly solutions. For more information and pricing and availability of Ottai sensors, visit or contact info@ and connect with Ottai on Instagram, and Facebook. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Ottai Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
SURGLASSES Launches the World's First AI Anatomy Table
Asclepius AI Table sets a new benchmark for intelligent, hands-on medical learning. TAIPEI, June 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Surglasses Inc. today announced the launch of the Asclepius AI Table, the world's first anatomy table with fully integrated AI instruction — a groundbreaking device that brings real-time intelligence and immersive interaction into medical and veterinary education. Unlike traditional systems that rely on external software or passive content, the Asclepius AI Table is a self-contained, AI-enhanced teaching platform. Two built-in digital instructors respond to voice and text in real time, offering guided instruction, anatomical explanations, and adaptive learning based on user input. The system is ready to use out of the box, requiring no technical setup or training, making it ideal for classrooms, labs, and interactive demonstrations. The table features eight deeply integrated modules designed to meet the diverse demands of modern medical and veterinary curricula. Students can freely explore high-resolution 3D virtual cadavers, perform open-ended digital dissection, and examine body structures from any angle. For radiological learning, the table enables ultra-fast 3D reconstruction and visualization of CT scans through a built-in DICOM viewer, with multiple rendering presets for efficient analysis. In the field of pathology, the Histopathology Explorer launches in seconds and includes a large collection of ultra-HD slides, while also supporting custom slide uploads. Movement and biomechanics are covered through the Kinesiology Module, which presents dozens of animated human motion models for understanding joint mechanics and musculoskeletal interactions. Additional tools include CTRender, a powerful engine for importing and manipulating DICOM files; a real-time ultrasound simulator that supports procedural training using clinical data; and a robust veterinary anatomy library with anatomical models for a wide range of species — supporting both human and animal education in a unified environment. The Embryology Timeline rounds out the system, offering a vivid 3D visualization of human development from fertilization to birth — helping students connect macro-level anatomy with developmental biology in a way that textbooks alone cannot achieve. Across all modules, the embedded AI instructors serve as constant companions: answering questions, guiding exploration, and supporting instructors and students alike with precision and immediacy. "The Asclepius AI Table is the first of its kind — an anatomy table that doesn't just show, it teaches," said Dr. Min-Liang Wang, founder and CEO of Surglasses Inc. "By embedding intelligent guidance directly into the table, we're transforming how anatomy and clinical science are taught — making learning faster, deeper, and more intuitive." Now Available for Global Distribution Already generating strong interest from medical schools, teaching hospitals, and veterinary institutions, the Asclepius AI Table is now available worldwide. Surglasses welcomes demo requests, academic partnerships, and distribution inquiries. Media ContactMarketing info@ nina@ About Surglasses Inc. Surglasses Inc. develops next-generation solutions for medical training and surgical navigation. Its flagship technologies — including the Caduceus S AR spinal navigation system and the Asclepius AI Table — are redefining how healthcare professionals learn, plan, and perform with greater confidence and clarity. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE SURGLASSES
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Legend of Mecha Scholars' Gets Global Distribution In Ad Astra, DRock Cultural Exchange Initiative
China's upcoming animated sci-fi series Legend of Mecha Scholars is getting global distribution in a new cross-cultural joint venture. Puerto Rico's Ad Astra Media is teaming up with China's DRock-Art Animation to bring the highly anticipated show to international audiences in a partnership that aims to become a long-term collaboration in animation and gaming development. More from Deadline 'Devil May Cry' Showrunner Adi Shankar On Crafting A 'New Continuity' While Keeping The 'Emotional Core' Of The Capcom Series Bruce Lee & Jackie Chan Films Among Kung Fu Classics Set For AI Remakes Donald Trump Extends Deadline For TikTok Divestiture Again - Update 'Legend of Mecha Scholars is not only a visually stunning series, but it also carries themes that align with our mission—to inspire the next generation through diverse, global storytelling,' said Ad Astra CEO Dr. José Morey. 'We're thrilled to work alongside DRock to share this series with new audiences and collaborate on meaningful content across platforms.' DRock founder and CEO Ni 'Nico' Zhenjie said, 'Our vision for Legend of Mecha Scholars has always been global. With Ad Astra's proven commitment to diverse and engaging storytelling, we see an exciting opportunity to build not just a franchise, but a cross-border creative ecosystem.' Beyond development and distribution, the partnership is part of Ad Astra's Lu Xun Bridge initiative, blending their expertise in socially impactful and diverse narratives with DRock's rich sci-fi world-building. The initiative also includes a cross-cultural training exchange program through DRock's Animation Academy, bringing U.S. and Chinese students together to study advanced techniques in 2D/3D animation, engine-driven workflows and culturally diverse storytelling. Best of Deadline 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More 'Stick' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The Apple TV+ Golf Series 'Stick' Release Guide: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
