As more and more doctors and sex therapists “prescribe” porn as an aid to sexual arousal, the question arises: Is porn the new Viagra?

For many men who have difficulty becoming aroused by their sex partners, porn has become a useful helpmate. For some, of course, it is a substitute, but that is also true for vibrators, which can be deployed as an aid to conventional sex or as a substitute for it.

As with Viagra and vibrators, porn can have side effects such as overdependence on external stimuli, or, according to some, even addiction. But that simply proves the old adage, there are no free lunches. Everything worth doing — from great sex to great food to healthy exercise to watching sports on TV — has potential side effects if taken to extremes. We all strive to strike the appropriate balance. Sometimes we succeed, often we fail.

Like marijuana, which is also prescribed by doctors and therapists, porn — even adult porn — is still illegal in most states and under federal law. But also like marijuana, these laws are often not enforced. But they could be at any time, especially under a Republican administration with a conservative attorney general.

Medical marijuana is now lawful in a growing number of states, but still unlawful under federal law. The legalization of medical marijuana coupled with the continued illegality of recreational marijuana has produced considerable abuse. This has been proved by the fact that diagnoses of glaucoma go down wherever the medical use of marijuana is expanded to recreational use. “Medical porn” is not lawful anywhere, but since porn is available to anyone with a smartphone, the law is not a realistic barrier to its use.

There are some who would prosecute the distribution and even the viewing of porn as a public-health hazard, but their claims are more grounded in puritan morality than in scientific study. Some scientific studies regarding the consumption of porn show mixed results, which can be, and often are, interpreted so as to support preexisting moral predispositions. As with so many other “vices,” overindulgence can produce negative consequences, while use in moderation (or in aid of mutual gratification) can produce positive results to existing relationships. It may depend as well on the nature of the porn. No one should be surprised if frequent exposure to violent or exploitative porn produced different attitudes than comparable exposure to loving, mutual, egalitarian erotica. (As one wag put it: “The difference between ‘porn’ and ‘erotica’ is porn is what the other guy gets off on, while erotica is what arouses me.”)

Every adult should be free to experiment with whatever external aids or stimuli increases the pleasurability of their sexual encounters.

Of course porn is not used exclusively by men to aid in arousal. An entire genre of feminist porn is now available to appeal to women and couples. This genre focuses less on showing graphic close-ups of oral, vaginal, and anal penetration and more on distant visual depictions of foreplay and romantic aspects of sex. Different strokes for different folks, as they say.

It would be absurd to legalize only “medical porn,” because the need for external stimuli is in the eye (or other organs) of the beholder. All adult porn should be legalized and its production regulated. It’s a shame that a California referendum rejected the mandatory use of condoms by male porn actors, because such use protects both men and women in the industry from being compelled by producers to endanger their health by engaging in unprotected sex. At the very least, porn actors should not be compelled to engage in risky sex. Moreover, consumers of porn might be more likely to use condoms if porn stars did.

The bottom line is that sexual pleasure is personal and private (except for those who prefer it in groups). Every adult should be free to experiment with whatever external aids or stimuli increases the pleasurability of their sexual encounters. Doctors and therapists should be comfortable prescribing or recommending porn, vibrators, or approved pharmaceuticals as aids to arousal and gratification. If there is evidence of dangerous side effects, this consumer should be made aware of them and informed of how to minimize their dangers.

In the end, every adult must be free to determine their own sexual destiny, without government intrusion. As long as sex is consensual and between (or among) adults, it is no one’s business to dictate what is acceptable or prohibited.

PHOTO: Tammy Sands / Penthouse Pet Kendra Sunderland