Pleasure and pain are opposite sides of the same receptors in the brain. When we push on the pleasure side of the brain for too long, it can lead to pain in the form of addiction. As a society, we are pushed towards compulsive over-consumption in the pursuit of pleasure and happiness, but this often leads to more pain. Our brains are not evolved to handle a world with overwhelming abundance. The net effect is that it takes more reward to feel pleasure, and less discomfort to feel pain. Although substances and other compulsive behaviors provide short-term relief, they ultimately can lead to more suffering in the end for many people. The more we try to insulate ourselves from pain, the more we seem to experience it. 

Pornography, as described here, includes any compulsive sexual behaviors facilitated through online platforms and applications. This includes web videos, chat rooms, content sharing, and dating/hook-up applications. Due to the nature of online dating and the seemingly endless options of potential partners, people are left feeling more insecure, constantly comparing themselves to others, and feeling compelled to continue to search for the possibility that there is someone better out there. All of this searching, comparing, and endless options typically lead people to feel less invested and less satisfied with their dating lives. Additional side effects of porn addiction can include not being able to sexually respond to your partner, increased irritability and aggression, and a decline in self-worth and self-esteem.