{"id":155,"date":"2014-05-07T04:47:47","date_gmt":"2014-05-07T04:47:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blsandbox1.wpengine.com\/?p=155"},"modified":"2019-08-07T16:31:07","modified_gmt":"2019-08-07T22:31:07","slug":"what-your-brain-looks-like-on-pornography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifestartherapy.com\/what-your-brain-looks-like-on-pornography\/","title":{"rendered":"What Your Brain Looks Like on Pornography"},"content":{"rendered":"
Less than 3 years ago the Surgical Neurology International Journal published\u00a0the article<\/a>, \u201cPornography Addiction: A Neuroscience Perspective.\u201d Take a look at some of the main points of the article in our summary below. Addictions don\u2019t only create chemical changes in the brain; they also create anatomical and pathological changes in the brain. Come again? That\u2019s right, addictions physically change the brain. Simply put, the frontal area of the brain (where the \u201cbraking system\u201d is located) becomes damaged.<\/p>\n Typically, hypofrontal syndromes are seen as a result of tumors, strokes, and trauma. However, Fowleret al. noted, \u201cstudies of addicts show reduced cellular activity in the orbitofrontal cortex, a brain area . . . [relied upon] . . . to make strategic, rather than impulsive, decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n A study in 2002 revealed that cocaine addiction results in \u201cmeasurable volume loss in several areas of the brain, including the frontal lobes.\u201d A study in 2004 on methamphetamine addiction produced similar results. These studies confirm that addiction can \u201cproduce measurable, anatomical change in the brain.\u201d<\/p>\n Just as the studies on cocaine and methamphetamine revealed physical damage to the frontal area of the brain, similar findings were seen when a normal biological behavior such as eating is abused, leading to addiction and obesity. The obesity study revealed that multiple areas of the brain suffered volume loss, especially the frontal lobes\u2014the judgment and control centers of the brain.<\/p>\n Another biological function that is necessary for survival?<\/strong><\/p>\n Sex.<\/p>\n Can sex be addictive in the neurological sense? In 2007, a study in Germany found for the first time that sexual compulsion can cause physical changes to the brain that are almost identical to those findings in the cocaine, methamphetamine and obesity studies.<\/p>\n Before this study was conducted, Dr. Eric Nestler wrote a revolutionary paper in 2005 in which he describes all addiction as \u201ca dysfunction of the mesolimbic reward centers of the brain.\u201d The pleasure\/reward pathways of the brain are essentially \u201chijacked\u201d by drugs such as cocaine or opioids, or by natural processes that are necessary for survival, such as eating and sex.<\/p>\n If you are\u00a0struggling with a pornography addiction<\/a>, or any other sexual addiction, you have physically changed your brain. It doesn\u2019t mean that the damage is permanent, but it will take a lot of effort and\u00a0sexual addiction treatment<\/a>\u00a0to fully reclaim the areas of your brain that have become dominated by pornography use or other sexual addiction.<\/p>\n Overcoming sexual addiction is a serious challenge, and you need guidance and support to know how to create the changes necessary to free yourself from the damage addiction has caused to your brain. Seeking sexual addiction treatment is the absolute best thing you can do to further understand and gain the\u00a0tools necessary to combat your addiction<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nThe Nature of Addiction<\/h2>\n
Abuse of Normal Biological Behavior<\/h2>\n
What Does This Mean for You?<\/h2>\n
How Can LifeStar Help?<\/h2>\n