How Online Porn Rewires the Nervous System — and Why Intimacy Starts to Feel Harder

Online pornography doesn’t just stimulate arousal — it trains the nervous system to stay activated. Instead of moving through a natural sexual arc, many people remain stuck in anticipatory arousal, which can increase anxiety, reduce pleasure, and make real intimacy feel harder over time. This isn’t about shame or willpower — it’s about understanding how modern porn rewires desire, regulation, and connection.