circuits, neurochemicals, receptors and genes underlying a disorder.)
The 'compulsion' advocates never answer because, in fact, there is no physical difference at the
brain level between a gambling addiction and a compulsion to gamble. There is only one reward centre and one reward circuit. Core brain changes seen in behavioural addictions occur equally with drug addictions – and compulsions to use. These are the brain changes associated with addictive behaviour. (Of course, specific addictions each have unique characteristics as well. For example, heroin addiction drastically reduces opioid receptors, which produces particularly severe withdrawal symptoms.)
Here are some brain changes that show up in all addictions, whether substance or behavioural:
1. Desensitisation , or a numbed response to pleasure. Reduced dopamine signallin g[103] and other changes [104] leave the addict less sensitive to everyday pleasures and ‘hungry’ for dopamine-raising activities and substances. [105] The addict may neglect other interests and activities that were once high priorities.
Desensitisation is probably the first addiction-related brain change porn users notice. They need greater and greater stimulation to achieve the same buzz (‘tolerance’). They may spend more time online, prolonging sessions through edging, watching when not masturbating, or searching for the perfect video to end with. But desensitisation can also take the form of escalating to new genres, sometimes harder and stranger, or even disturbing. Remember: shock, surprise and anxiety can jack up dopamine.
2. Sensitisation , or an unconscious super-memory of pleasure that, when activated, triggers powerful cravings . Rewired nerve connections cause the reward circuit to buz z[106] in response to addiction-related cues or thoughts [107] – the ‘fire together wire together’ principle. This Pavlovian memory makes the addiction more compelling than other activities in the addict's life.
Cues, such as turning on the computer, seeing a pop-up, or being alone, trigger intense cravings
for porn. Are you suddenly much hornier (true libido) when your wife goes shopping? Unlikely. But perhaps you feel as if you are on autopilot, or someone else is controlling your brain. Some describe a sensitised porn response as ‘entering a tunnel that has only one escape: porn’. Maybe you feel a rush, rapid heartbeat, even trembling, and all you can think about is logging onto your favourite tube site. These are examples of sensitised addiction pathways activating your reward circuit, screaming, ‘Do it now!’
3. Hypofrontality , or reduced brain activity in the prefrontal regions, which weakens willpower in the face of strong subconscious cravings. Alterations [108] in the prefrontal regions' grey matter [109] and white matter [110] correlate with reduced impulse control [111] and the weakened ability to foresee consequences. [112] A recent German review of brain and psychological studies concluded that reduced brain function in internet addicts may be related to their loss of control over their internet use .[113]
Hypofrontality shows up as the feeling that two parts of your brain are engaged in a tug-of-war.
The sensitised addiction pathways are screaming ‘Yes!’ while your ‘higher brain’ is saying, ‘No, not again!’ While the executive-control portions of your brain are in a weakened condition the addiction pathways usually win.
4. Dysfunctional stress circuits , [114] which can make even minor stress lead to cravings and relapse because they activate powerful sensitised pathways.
To sum up, if these neuroplastic changes could speak, desensitisation would be moaning, ‘I can't get no satisfaction’. At the same time, sensitisation would be poking you in the ribs saying, ‘hey, I’ve got just what you need’, which happens to be the very thing that caused the desensitisation.
Hypofrontality would be shrugging
The 'compulsion' advocates never answer because, in fact, there is no physical difference at the
brain level between a gambling addiction and a compulsion to gamble. There is only one reward centre and one reward circuit. Core brain changes seen in behavioural addictions occur equally with drug addictions – and compulsions to use. These are the brain changes associated with addictive behaviour. (Of course, specific addictions each have unique characteristics as well. For example, heroin addiction drastically reduces opioid receptors, which produces particularly severe withdrawal symptoms.)
Here are some brain changes that show up in all addictions, whether substance or behavioural:
1. Desensitisation , or a numbed response to pleasure. Reduced dopamine signallin g[103] and other changes [104] leave the addict less sensitive to everyday pleasures and ‘hungry’ for dopamine-raising activities and substances. [105] The addict may neglect other interests and activities that were once high priorities.
Desensitisation is probably the first addiction-related brain change porn users notice. They need greater and greater stimulation to achieve the same buzz (‘tolerance’). They may spend more time online, prolonging sessions through edging, watching when not masturbating, or searching for the perfect video to end with. But desensitisation can also take the form of escalating to new genres, sometimes harder and stranger, or even disturbing. Remember: shock, surprise and anxiety can jack up dopamine.
2. Sensitisation , or an unconscious super-memory of pleasure that, when activated, triggers powerful cravings . Rewired nerve connections cause the reward circuit to buz z[106] in response to addiction-related cues or thoughts [107] – the ‘fire together wire together’ principle. This Pavlovian memory makes the addiction more compelling than other activities in the addict's life.
Cues, such as turning on the computer, seeing a pop-up, or being alone, trigger intense cravings
for porn. Are you suddenly much hornier (true libido) when your wife goes shopping? Unlikely. But perhaps you feel as if you are on autopilot, or someone else is controlling your brain. Some describe a sensitised porn response as ‘entering a tunnel that has only one escape: porn’. Maybe you feel a rush, rapid heartbeat, even trembling, and all you can think about is logging onto your favourite tube site. These are examples of sensitised addiction pathways activating your reward circuit, screaming, ‘Do it now!’
3. Hypofrontality , or reduced brain activity in the prefrontal regions, which weakens willpower in the face of strong subconscious cravings. Alterations [108] in the prefrontal regions' grey matter [109] and white matter [110] correlate with reduced impulse control [111] and the weakened ability to foresee consequences. [112] A recent German review of brain and psychological studies concluded that reduced brain function in internet addicts may be related to their loss of control over their internet use .[113]
Hypofrontality shows up as the feeling that two parts of your brain are engaged in a tug-of-war.
The sensitised addiction pathways are screaming ‘Yes!’ while your ‘higher brain’ is saying, ‘No, not again!’ While the executive-control portions of your brain are in a weakened condition the addiction pathways usually win.
4. Dysfunctional stress circuits , [114] which can make even minor stress lead to cravings and relapse because they activate powerful sensitised pathways.
To sum up, if these neuroplastic changes could speak, desensitisation would be moaning, ‘I can't get no satisfaction’. At the same time, sensitisation would be poking you in the ribs saying, ‘hey, I’ve got just what you need’, which happens to be the very thing that caused the desensitisation.
Hypofrontality would be shrugging
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