Watching pornography is not naturally harmful to males or ladies. But I would provide some caveats. There are individuals who probably should not view pornography, like those with bad body image or those who have been sexually preyed on. Depending on your choice in watching, you can develop impractical expectations about sex or what people like or how you'll be anticipated to "perform." And seeing with somebody requires real consent.
When none of these warnings are up, pornography can definitely have benefits. Therapists in some cases recommend it to help individuals become comfy with a particular fantasy they or their partner might have. Pornography can reboot a couple's sex life. It can provide you ideas, or assist you get in touch with what turns you on.
Porn can reboot a couple's sex life. It can give you concepts, or help you connect with what turns you on. Porn can provide you there at best, or disgust you at worst. It all depends upon what you choose to see. With the availability of pornography online, it's possible to sample enough pornography quickly that you do not have to find yourself enjoying wall-to-wall hard-core sex if it's plot driven erotica that appeals to you. You're just a victim of bad porn if you let yourself be.
And a word about sex or pornography addiction. I do not believe in it. Unlike a chemical substance, like opiates, you can't end up being "addicted" to sex or porn; you can end up being a compulsive viewer. In this case, it's not the pornography that's the issue; it's the compulsive personality. If it weren't porn being used to act out one's compulsive nature, it might be food or some other habits.
As for whether it's damaging or beneficial to the performers, let's take females first. There are some who pick to perform since they like sex a lot and they consider it a great method to earn a living. Then there are those who are drawn to porn as a method of acting out subconscious mental problems-- trying to find daddy's love or punishment for being a bad lady. For many, it's most likely a little of each. Even women with the very best psychological health will face some disadvantages from this work. Our culture consumes pornography at record numbers, but the ladies who carry out are still judged roughly.
I'm public porn not sure the male entertainers go out totally untouched either. While they may not be evaluated as harshly as the ladies, eventually they're viewed as freaks who make their living with their anatomy. John Holmes's fate is the supreme cautionary tale.
Perhaps if we weren't still so taken in with regret and pity about sex, neither seeing nor carrying out in these films would bring the weight it does. But then, perhaps we would not be so interested in them, either. If the fruit were not prohibited, would anyone care to take a bite?