Understanding Sexual Addiction Treatment from the brain
Sex addiction, characterized by compulsive and problematic sexual behavior, has been a topic of growing interest within the field of neuroscience. This article aims to delve into the neurological aspects of sex addiction, exploring its similarities to other addictions, the anatomical and pathological changes in the brain, and the supporting medical evidence. By examining studies and scientific literature, we can gain valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying this behavioral disorder.
The Neurobiology of Addiction:
Addiction, whether related to substance abuse or natural behaviors, is considered a dysfunction of the mesolimbic reward centers in the brain. The mesolimbic pathway involves the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and its projections to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and other striatal salience centers. This pathway is responsible for mediating the positive emotional effects of both exogenous substances, such as drugs, and natural rewards like food and sex.
Similarities Between Sex Addiction and Substance Addiction:
Research has shown that the neurobiological processes involved in sex addiction share commonalities with substance addictions. The activity of naturally occurring psychoactive substances in the brain is believed to be a crucial mediator of many process addictions. Both substance and process addictions can lead to neuroadaptations and changes in neural circuitry, even in the absence of drug intake.
Neurological Findings in Sex Addiction:
Studies have revealed anatomical and pathological changes in the brains of individuals with sex addiction, similar to those observed in substance addictions. A study utilizing voxel-based morphometry (VBM), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based technique, demonstrated measurable volume loss in specific brain areas, including the frontal lobes, in individuals with cocaine and methamphetamine addictions. A similar VBM study on obesity, a natural endogenous addiction, also showed volume loss, particularly in the frontal lobes. These findings suggest that addiction, whether related to substances or natural behaviors, can lead to visible damage in the brain.
Hypofrontal Syndromes and the "Braking System" of the Brain:
A significant postulate in understanding addiction is that it results in hypofrontal syndromes, characterized by impulsivity, compulsivity, emotional lability, and impaired judgment. These syndromes involve damage to the frontal control systems of the brain, often seen in conditions such as tumors, strokes, trauma, and addiction. Reduced cellular activity in the orbitofrontal cortex, a brain region involved in strategic decision-making, has been observed in addicts. Patients with traumatic injuries to this area of the brain exhibit problems similar to those observed in substance abusers, including aggressiveness, poor judgment of future consequences, and inability to inhibit inappropriate responses.
Neuroplasticity and DeltaFosB:
Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize itself, plays a significant role in addiction. DeltaFosB, a protein implicated in addiction, is overexpressed in the neurons of addicted individuals]. Initially identified in drug addiction, DeltaFosB has also been found in the nucleus accumbens in relation to over-consumption of natural rewards, such as food and sexuality. Sexual experiences have been shown to induce alterations in medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens, similar to the changes observed with drug abuse [21]. Moreover, DeltaFosB induction in the nucleus accumbens may mediate key aspects of both drug addiction and natural addictions, including compulsive consumption of natural rewards.
Medical Evidence and Recognition of Sex Addiction:
The growing understanding of addiction, including natural addictions, has led to increased recognition of sex addiction within the medical community. In 2007, a study utilizing voxel-based morphometry demonstrated anatomical changes in the brains of individuals with pedophilic behavior, similar to those observed in other addictions. Additionally, preliminary studies using diffusion MRI have highlighted frontal dysfunction in patients unable to control their sexual behavior. These findings provide valuable evidence of the neurological basis of sex addiction.
Neurological research has shed light on the similarities between sex addiction and other addictions, both substance-related and process-related. The presence of anatomical and pathological changes in the brains of individuals with sex addiction, comparable to those observed in substance addictions, supports the notion that it is a genuine neurological disorder. Understanding the neurobiology of sex addiction is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies and reducing the stigma associated with this condition. Further research is needed to unravel the intricate neural mechanisms underlying sex addiction fully.
Book an Appointment to suffer less!
Sexual Addiction Treatment in or near Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Columbus, and Cincinnati
Call us at (216) 868-4841
Email us at info@mindtrekcounseling.com
Available Monday to Sunday!
(Please call 911 or 988 if in an emergency)
Sources:
[1] Hilton, D. L., & Watts, C. (2011). Pornography addiction: A neuroscience perspective. Surgical neurology international, 2, 19.
[2] Goldstein, R. Z., & Volkow, N. D. (2011). Dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex in addiction: neuroimaging findings and clinical implications. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 12(11), 652-669.
[3] Matochik, J. A., London, E. D., Eldreth, D. A., Cadet, J. L., & Bolla, K. I. (2003). Frontal cortical tissue composition in abstinent cocaine abusers: a magnetic resonance imaging study. NeuroImage, 19(3), 1095-1102.
[4] Schiffer, B., et al. (2007). Structural brain abnormalities in the frontostriatal system and cerebellum in pedophilia. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 41(9), 753-762.
[5] Shaffer, H. J., et al. (2004). Neurobiological and clinical contribution to understanding pathological gambling. Clinical Neuroscience Research, 4(5-6), 290-302.
[6] Nestler, E. J. (2005). Is there a common molecular pathway for addiction? Nature Neuroscience, 8(11), 1445-1449.
[7] Blum, K., et al. (2012). Hypothesizing dark side of addiction: expecting neuroadaptations in brains reward circuitry responsible for compulsive drug seeking or relapse. Journal of reward deficiency syndrome, 1(1), 1-22.
[8] Pannacciulli, N., et al. (2006). Neuroimaging of the appetitive motivation system in obesity: response to 'higher brain' critique. International Journal of Obesity, 30(5), 763-771.
[9] Pitchers, K. K., et al. (2010). Natural and drug rewards act on common neural plasticity mechanisms with ΔFosB as a key mediator. Journal of Neuroscience, 30(20), 7302-7310.
[10] Vialou, V., et al. (2015). ΔFosB in brain reward circuits mediates resilience to stress and antidepressant responses. Nature Neuroscience, 18(6), 855-862.
[11] Shaffer, H. J., et al. (2002). Toward a syndrome model of addiction: multiple expressions, common etiology. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 10(6), 367-374.
[12] Franklin, T. R., et al. (2002). Decreased gray matter concentration in the insular, orbitofrontal, cingulate, and temporal cortices of cocaine patients. Biological Psychiatry, 51(2), 134-142