Can pornography actually affect brain chemistry to cause a drug-like addiction? That's the warning in a high profile campaign currently running in the US. Writer David Sergeant talks about his own battle to give up the habit which he says has the potential to destroy normal sexual relationships. According to the popular theory of neuroplasticity the brain is able to form newer and quicker pathways to pleasure while watching porn. He says the pornography industry separates human beings from each other and also potentially supports sex trafficking.

However, sexual psychophysiologist and neuroscientist Nicole Prause says that the idea that sex addiction is a scientific fact is being driven by religious and vested interests. She says the idea that porn causes physical addiction and a breakdown in the ability to enjoy real life sex has no scientific basis. However such theories suit the purposes of religious groups and those who offer expensive cures for the 'problem'.