Rewriting the Conversation Around Pornography

**POST CREDIT CONTENT ALERT**

Welcome to Episode 2 of Mental Health Rewritten — “Pornography: Rewiring Reality”

In this powerful follow-up to our season premiere, we confront one of the most polarizing issues in modern mental health: pornography.

Through the dual narratives of Gio and Maddie, we navigate secrecy, shame, and compulsion — we dive into the psychological impact of porn consumption on young minds, relationships, and emotional development. We illustrate how digital intimacy can morph into emotional avoidance.

Featuring reflections inspired by Susan Sontag’s The Pornographic Imagination, data trends around economic stress and porn usage, and voices from clinical research, we explore:

How pornography functions as both escape and expression

Why compulsive consumption often begins in adolescence

The blurred boundaries between fantasy, shame, and mental distress

Economic stressors and their link to increased digital escapism

The humanity behind the industry — including the performers and producers

Societal silence around youth exposure and emotional education

From the Reagan-era Meese Commission to modern neuroscience, we examine the narratives, research, and myths shaping how we see pornography today — not to shame or glorify, but to understand it.

We share an unflinching yet compassionate exploration that reframes addiction, adolescence, and the hidden effects of unspoken behaviors. This is not just about screens — it's about the stories behind them.

Listen now and subscribe for upcoming episodes on suicide, race, and intergenerational trauma.

Reminder: Mental health struggles are real — and often silent. If you or someone you know needs support, reach out to a mental health professional.

Mental Health Rewritten, created by the OWLS Education Company, in collaboration with The Ummah Collective Group, is hosted, written, and produced by Dominic Lawson.

Executive Producers: Kenda Lawson and Dr. Whitney Howzell
Cover Art: Alexandria Eddings of Art Life Connections

Some music was provided by DJ Krate Digga of The Mighty Sound Champz Crew

This week's disclaimer provided by Al Pete, Founder of The MPN Network

Supporting Sources:

Sontag, Susan (1967). “The Pornographic Imagination.” – Analysis of pornography as reflective of cultural fears and desires johnshaplin.blogspot.comjohnshaplin.blogspot.com.

Dworkin, Andrea (1981). Pornography: Men Possessing Women. – Argues pornography is a form of violence/oppression against women researchgate.net.

Meese Commission Report on Pornography (1986) – Conclusions of harm; later criticism by academics for lack of rigorous evidence politico.compolitico.com.

Politico Magazine – Tim Alberta (2018), on Meese Commission’s flawed use of research and findings being unsupported politico.com.

CDC-Kaiser ACE Study – Findings on how ≥4 childhood adversities correlates with higher risk of substance use, mental illness, and sexual risk behaviors in adulthood mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.orgmydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org.

CDC – Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report (2023) on ACEs: associations with early sexual initiation, teen pregnancy, etc. cdc.gov.

VA National Center for PTSD – DSM-5 PTSD Criterion A definition of trauma (death, serious injury, sexual violence exposure)ptsd.va.gov.

ICD-11 – WHO’s diagnostic criteria: trauma defined as extremely threatening or horrific events cambridge.org.

Pornhub Traffic Data (2020) – Documented 11–24% global increase in usage during COVID-19 lockdowns pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Financial Stress & Porn Study (2020) – Found porn site visits decreased when economic stress rose, suggesting not all downturns boost porn use pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Reuters – “Pornhub owner MindGeek sold to Canada’s ECP” (Mar 16, 2023) – Announcement of Ethical Capital Partners (Solomon Friedman) acquiring MindGeek reuters.comreuters.com.

New York Times – “The Children of Pornhub” (N. Kristof, Dec 2020) – Investigative piece exposing underage/non-consensual content monetized on Pornhub papers.ssrn.com.

Rolling Stone – “Racism in Porn Industry Under Scrutiny” (June 2020) – Report that Black performers are paid and hired less, citing Ana Foxxx, Lotus Lain, etc. instagram.comibtimes.com.

International Business Times – “Black Performers Reveal They’re Paid and Hired Less in Porn” (June 12, 2020) ibtimes.comibtimes.com.

Blavity News – “Adult Film Has Been No Exception (to Racism)” (June 24, 2020) – Overview of racist tropes and pay disparities in porn, with input from Black actresses blavity.comblavity.com.

Dazed Digital – “Porn actresses are dying – why?” (Feb 2018) – Discusses rash of young female performer deaths, highlighting lack of support, stigma, and financial insecurity in the industry dazeddigital.comdazeddigital.com.

 

Referenced Articles & Resources

The Tragic Story of Olivia Nova
The Guardian reported on the untimely death of adult film star Olivia Nova, shedding light on the mental health struggles, financial instability, and lack of healthcare access within the industry.
Read the article here.

The Children of Pornhub – New York Times
This 2020 exposé uncovered the presence of underage and non-consensual content on Pornhub, revealing systemic exploitation and regulatory failures in the adult industry.
Read the full report.

Racial Pay Disparities in Porn – Rolling Stone Feature
Black performers like Ana Foxxx and Lotus Lain have shared their experiences fighting for equal pay and dignity in an industry riddled with racial inequities.
Read the Rolling Stone article via Blavity.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
To learn more about trauma recovery techniques like EMDR, visit the EMDR International Association.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Quiz
Curious about how your early life may have shaped your mental health? Take a confidential ACE quiz through the Center for Youth Wellness at numberstory.org.

Your Brain on Porn
Explore the neuroscience behind compulsive porn consumption and its impact on mental well-being at yourbrainonporn.com.