Why do we include gambling addiction studies (list below)? First of all, it was the first behavioral addiction included in the DSM as Pathological Gambling. If someone can become addicted to playing slots, they certainly can become addicted to streaming internet porn. This section may contain both lay articles for the general public, and research […]
Here are some excerpts from this article by Martin P. Kafka, MD:
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Read More… from Hypersexual Disorder: A Proposed Diagnosis for DSM-V (2009)
Comment: This study demonstrates that when an animal is given unlimited access, a strong natural reinforcer (very stimulating food) can cause a decline in D2 receptors. This decline was seen in nearly all rats, and occurred quite rapidly. When “highly palatable” food was removed, the rats refused to eat normal chow. The rats continued to […]
By Sarah Klein, Health.com
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
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Read More… from (L) Fatty Foods May Cause Cocaine Like Addiction (2010)
This is the section most relevant to porn use in the upcoming Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (V) of the American Psychiatric Association. Other researchers already view hypersexual behavior as an “addiction” rather than a “disorder.”
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Men often have concerns about passing up orgasm while they reboot. They fear they will endanger their prostate health, discussed below. Or they’ve heard the “use it or lose it” advice, discussed here. Keep in mind that the reboot period is temporary. Abstinence is not the goal. These 3 articles and 1 video cover most […]
Read More… from Don’t I need to ejaculate frequently for prostate health?
Neuroplasticity means structural changes in the brain that lead to learning, unlearning, and memory. Addiction involves very powerful learning and memory, thus significant changes in the brain. These changes involve key chemicals (such as DeltaFosb) and alterations in synaptic strength. It can pretty technical. For a great explanation on neuroplasticity see Norman Doidge on pornography. […]
Here is some general information about addiction. Understanding Internet porn addiction means understanding addiction mechanisms. All addictions involve hijacking of the same neurocircuitry, and run on the same neurochemicals. A basic physiological principle is that drugs do not create anything new or different; they simply increase or decrease normal brain functions. In essence, we already […]
Stress is a major factor in causing relapses in all addictions. Stress can take many forms, but it’s our reaction that causes the neurochemical cascades that urge us to use. This section contains both lay articles for the general public, and research articles. If you are not an expert in addiction, I suggest starting with […]
One of the main hallmarks of an addiction process involves changes in the number of dopamine receptors and types on key nerve cells in the brain. To hear the message, dopamine attaches to receptors on cells. With addiction, some types of receptors decrease, while other types increase. We focus on dopamine receptors, as reduced dopamine […]