Most practicing Catholics recognize the dangers of pornography on the spiritual life. Perhaps nothing in our society is better able to lead one away from God than this terrible evil. And, sadly, viewing pornography has become socially acceptable, thus leading many people astray.

Marcel LeJeune over at Aggie Catholics ^[1] has written often about the plague of pornography, and he recently put up a very good post that shows that pornography’s destructiveness is not only spiritual, but it actually messes with your brain ^[2]. He writes:

We have known for years that porn is destructive to marriages, families, individuals, and society ^[3].  We also know that is is addictive - more so than crack or heroin.  Science is just now finding out just how destructive it is to the brain.  Using pornography radically changes the neuro-pathways in the brain by causing the body to inject strong neuro-stimulants directly into the pleasure center of the brain.  Repeatedly doing this means the structure of the brain itself is altered and the effects are devastating.  As one psychologist puts it ^[4], “pornography hijacks the proper functioning of their (men in particular) brains.”

Go read Marcel’s whole article ^[2], and then redouble your prayers for all people who are ensnared by the evil of pornography.

St. Maria Goretti, pray for us!