The Most Silent Virus: How Porn is Ruining Our Mind, Heart & Soul.

Imagine this.💭

You are in Salah.

You are trying to concentrate and connect yourself with Allah SWT.

Suddenly, an image flashes through your mind.⚡

An image that captured your attention while scrolling through your Instagram last night, alone.

An image that was inappropriate, explicit, and graphic.

Perhaps, you did not watch it for long enough, but your brain registered it. And now it is reminding you of it at a time when you are standing in front of your Creator.🛐

Now imagine being exposed to such content, willingly or unwillingly, day in and day out, and its impact on our body, mind, heart, and soul.

Unfortunately, today we live in a world where watching inappropriate content (or porn) is considered harmless. And in worst cases, some advocate that watching porn can be beneficial as well!

However, the reality is something else. It is impacts us in ways we cannot fathom; biologically, socially, and spiritually.

How Porn Changes The Brain🧠:

Porn changes our brain in more than one way.  “Studies show that those who consume pornography have brains that are less connected, less active, and even smaller in some areas” 2. Furthermore, prolonged exposure can alter brain structures, function, and behavior. Wirth (2025) explains this impact as follows:

1. The Pleasure and Reward Center: Every time someone feels pleasure, the brain’s main reward neurotransmitter, dopamine, is released. As a result of repeated dopamine releases over time, the brain’s reward centre changes, requiring more stimuli to attain the same outcome. As the brain becomes accustomed to the frequent highs and lows that come with frequent porn use, it begins to form new patterns (neuronal pathways) that drive a person to continue watching pornography.
2. Cognitive Function: Individuals who are addicted to porn frequently have cognitive problems and exhibit impaired decision-making. The most notable example is the preference for short-term gains over long-term ones (instant gratification). Porn addicts’ also struggle to appropriately perceive the negative effects of their actions. This creates a gap between their internal moral compass and the moral code of society.
3. Emotional Regulation: People who struggle to control their emotions are more likely to reach for porn as a form of self-distraction. This tendency has the potential to develop into a serious addiction over time, trapping them in a vicious cycle of reaching for porn to numb uncomfortable feelings.

These are just some of the consequences. As new research continues to come in, one can only imagine the extent and the depth of damage this habit can have. Once the brain changes, so does the behavior. According to studies, using porn frequently is associated with behavioural changes like objectification, compulsive behaviour, increased risk-taking, isolation, and an increase in violent behaviour. Some will even go so far as to normalise sexual violence, engage in extreme submissiveness, or dehumanise their sexual partner by dominating them.

How Porn Ruins Our Heart & Soul:

“Indeed, Allah commands justice, grace, as well as generosity to close relatives. He forbids indecency, wickedness, and aggression. He instructs you so perhaps you will be mindful” (Al-Quran, 16:90).

Although modern research focuses its attention on the ‘brain’, as it believes it to be the source of emotions, thoughts, and behavior, for Muslims, the soul is what drives everything (Utz, 2022 ). The essence of humans is not purely biological or psychological, but spiritual. Thus, when we act in contradiction to what the soul needs, it suffers. Watching porn is one of those acts as it incites one towards indecency (fuhsha) and wrongdoing (munkar). This is why the Quran condemns both in various places repeatedly.

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying, “Allah fixed the very portion of adultery which a man will indulge in. There would be no escape from it. The adultery of the eye is the lustful look and the adultery of the ears is listening to voluptuous (song or talk) and the adultery of the tongue is licentious speech and the adultery of the hand is the lustful grip (embrace) and the adultery of the feet is to walk (to the place) where he intends to commit adultery and the heart yearns and desires which he may or may not put into effect” (Sahih Muslim).

The digital world is increasingly promoting fuhsha and munkar, through every means possible. It is not a coincidence. It is strategic. The algorithm is designed to desensitize us to the gravity of these acts and to corrupt our hearts and souls to the extent where sins appear harmless. Once sinning is normalized in the Ummah, our strength (faith) will be lost, and that will be a very hefty price to pay.

What Can You Do If You Are Suffering From This Epidemic?

The good news is that our brain is plastic. It can unlearn what is harmful and relearn what is good.  Yes, getting out of this habit or addiction might seem impossible, but it is not. All one needs is hope in Allah SWT and the right support. As Allah SWT says in the Quran, “Allah will not change the condition of people until they change what is in themselves” (Al-Quran, 13:11).

Armed with true intention, hope in Allah SWT, and strong professional support, you can come out of this vicious habit and heal not only your mind but also your soul, Insha Allah.

References:

1. Sunnah.com. (n.d.). Sahih Muslim 2658a. Book 46: The Book of Destiny. Retrieved from https://sunnah.com/muslim:2658a
2. Think watching porn can’t change your brain? Think again. Fight the new drug. Think Watching Porn Can’t Change Your Brain? Think Again.
3. Utz, A. (2022). Psychology From The Islamic Perspective. IIPH.

Wirth, L. (2025, Jan 17). The Brains of Porn Addicts. MentalHealth. The Brains of Porn Addicts