Hey Shdhr,

Lately, the world feels especially... intense.

There's war in the headlines. Our politics are increasingly volatile. There's a constant stream of news that is designed to keep us anxious, angry and addicted. Especially for queer people, the future feels uncertain. It's a toxic brew.

And in the middle of all that, I make gay porn for a living.

I can't help but ask: What's the role of porn in a world on fire? Because it's easy to dismiss erotic content as a frivolous distraction or escapism—especially in the face of so much chaos, tragedy and hardship. 

But let me suggest an alternative perspective. 

When the world is in crisis beyond our control, our bodies are a refuge. We can always return home to our breath, our touch and our pleasure to slow down, recharge and reconnect with ourselves.



The science around this is quite clear. Sexual arousal and orgasm activate the parasympathetic nervous system—the part of the body responsible for rest and recovery. During sexual stimulation, the brain releases hormones like oxytocin, dopamine and endorphins, which promote bonding and relaxation while lowering stress hormones like cortisol. Researchers have even measured spikes in oxytocin during orgasm (Carmichael et al., Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 1987), and studies show that sexual activity and affectionate touch can reduce stress responses and blood pressure (Ditzen et al., Biological Psychology, 2009).

In other words, what might look like indulgence—watching porn, getting turned on, touching your body—is actually one of the most ancient ways humans regulate the nervous system and restore a sense of calm.



Outside of science, the role of porn goes even deeper. For queer people especially, pleasure has always existed in tension with the broader culture. From the AIDS crisis—when queer bodies were framed as diseased and dangerous—to today’s culture wars around drag, sexuality and LGBTQ rights, queer intimacy has often been treated as something shameful, threatening or immoral. In that context, pleasure is never just pleasure. To desire openly, to touch each other and to celebrate our bodies and our sexuality becomes something more profound: An assertion of autonomy.

To love each other, ourselves and our bodies—and to experience joy and pleasure—is the ultimate act of resistance.



Your body is still yours. Desire is still alive. Intimacy still exists. And so when you take a break to pleasure yourself, consider that porn—at its best—is a reminder of what we're fighting for: The freedom to inhabit our bodies, to love who we love and to experience pleasure without shame.

Happy stroking.

Love,
David Jacques
Founder, Himeros.tv