Magnetoencephalographic correlates of pornography consumption: Associations with indicators of compulsive sexual behaviors

Abstract

Pornography consumption is highly prevalent but can develop into problematic sexual behavior with severe negative emotional consequences. Neurobiological studies indicate that compulsive sexual behaviors (CSB) are associated with altered brain structure and function in processing pornography. This study investigated the neuroaffective mechanisms underlying exposure to erotic and explicit pornographic images and their relationship to CSB-relevant symptoms. Whole-head magnetoencephalography (MEG) assessed brain activity during passive viewing of opposite- and same-sex erotic and pornographic images in healthy heterosexual and homosexual women and men (N = 50). Correlations of estimated event-related neural activity with indicators of CSB (hypersexuality, sexual sensation seeking, problematic pornography use, and time spent on pornography use), mood and anxiety, as well as with subjective picture ratings of hedonic valence and emotional arousal were analyzed. Responses of brain regions to sexual content revealed hyper- and hypoactivation and were related to problematic pornography consumption, hypersexuality, time spent on pornography use, and perceived subjective arousal. The neural activation towards erotic and pornographic content revealed further significant associations with depression and anxiety scores. The findings suggest an involvement of prefrontal and temporo-parietal cortex regions in the divergent processing of sexual content in relation to indicators of CSBD. Insight into the neurobiological factors underlying CSB can contribute to a more precise clinical conceptualization of this problem and may promote the development of more effective therapeutic interventions.