Pornography Pays in Pleasure—But Taxes Your Brain and Emotions
The new
published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, gives insights into how frequent pornography use may rewire the brain's reward and control circuits, leading to neurological arousal, behavioral changes, and possible dependency, comparable to that observed in opioid addicts.
Obsession-Led Brain Rewiring
Conducted at Chengdu Medical College in China, the study involved 21 healthy college students
who watched pornographic content to varying degrees
and had no history of substance use. The participants were split into two groups: occasional, low-frequency pornography use, and those with a chronic obsession.
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Epoch Times
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Pornography Pays in Pleasure—But Taxes Your Brain and Emotions
What begins as a choice to watch pornography can evolve into a neurological and physical battle, with new research showing that frequent viewing rewires the brain in ways that mirror drug addiction. The new published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, gives insights into how frequent pornography use may rewire the brain's reward and control circuits, leading to neurological arousal, behavioral changes, and possible dependency, comparable to that observed in opioid addicts. Obsession-Led Brain Rewiring Conducted at Chengdu Medical College in China, the study involved 21 healthy college students who watched pornographic content to varying degrees and had no history of substance use. The participants were split into two groups: occasional, low-frequency pornography use, and those with a chronic obsession.
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The Best Workout For Your Personality
Credit - Photo-Illustration by Chloe Dowling for TIME (Source Images: Leontura/Getty Images, 4x6/Getty Images, Images,, LeoPatrizi/Getty Images, Tony Anderson—Getty Images, Oleg Breslavtsev—Getty Images) If dragging yourself to the gym feels like a chore, the issue might not be motivation, but misalignment. Matching your workout to your personality type could be the missing link to making exercise feel less like a task and more like a reward. In one 2025 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, researchers looked at several different personality traits like being extroverted, conscientious, or neurotic. They found that certain types of exercise seemed best suited to these dominant personality traits—and people who chose physical activities that matched their personality enjoyed their workout more, stuck to it more consistently, and even improved more than people who picked a workout that didn't sync up as well to their personality. 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Read More: The Best Science-Backed Way to Stop Chafing Research shows that tailoring your exercise to your personality can also boost your performance. A meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that people who chose exercise routines that aligned with their personality traits were significantly more likely to perform better overall and stick with their programs over time. The best exercises for extroverts Extroverts are characterized by being outgoing and sociable, so they thrive on energy and interaction. Workouts that feel like an active hangout are perfect, says Jenna Willis, celebrity trainer and wellness coach. 'Extroverts need that little healthy competition to push through that extra pushup,' she says. 'I always say my workouts feel like you're training with your bestie who just happened to bring dumbbells and a solid playlist. That kind of energy keeps extroverts engaged and hyped.' Read More: Should You Shower in the Morning or at Night? That's also what the researchers found in the latest study: extroverts tended to gravitate toward HIIT, spin, boot-camp classes, and team sports, because this format allowed them to feed off of others' energy and competition. 'It's not just about what burns the most calories,' says Willis. 'It's about what keeps you coming back. And honestly, if you're laughing through your lunges, no matter how bad the burn you're more likely to show up tomorrow.' The best exercises for introverts Introverts tend to prefer solitary activities and quiet environments, thriving when they can focus inward without feeling like they're performing for others, says Gillian Almeida, vice president of strategy and insights at Solidcore, a Pilates-style workout with classes across the U.S. 'The key is finding something that feels like 'me time' rather than social time,' she says. 'Yoga, swimming laps, hiking, 'or even traditional weight lifting where you can put in headphones and zone out' fosters the perfect inward focus.' Read More: Why Am I Sweating More Than I Used To? Research also shows that introverts enjoy methodical and repetitive workouts, where they know exactly what to expect. This can look like running or walking along the same trails or practicing tai chi. The Frontiers in Psychology study found that introverts were more likely to enjoy gentle, private exercises, like a solo walk or light home-based workouts. These workouts offer introverts autonomy, space, and a calming pace—supporting both physical health and emotional regulation. 'That said, some introverts surprise themselves by loving group fitness classes once they realize it's not about being the center of attention,' says Almeida. 'It's more like being part of something bigger while still having your own individual experience.' The best exercises for people with anxiety For someone who feels anxious or worried, quieter, low-pressure environments can make workouts more enjoyable. 'This can look like working out alone in your apartment gym, doing at-home workouts, yoga, swimming, tennis, golf, or any activity with a calm, focused vibe,' says Akin Akman, co-founder and CEO of AARMY, a fitness center featuring cycle and bootcamp classes. Read More: What Most People Overlook About Skin Cancer Like introverts, people with anxiety tend to enjoy slower-paced exercises and workouts in smaller settings or completely alone. The latest study found that this group thrived when doing private, low-intensity, and non-intimidating workouts; they were more likely to incorporate this into their routine compared to high-intensity group fitness classes. Research shows that exercise of any type for those with anxiety can significantly help. One study found that regular physical activity helps reduce anxiety by lowering stress hormones like cortisol and increasing calming neurotransmitters. 'Movement is seriously underrated therapy, especially when anxiety shows up uninvited,' says Willis. 'Sometimes, you just need to move through it.' Contact us at letters@
