There is a general lack of awareness among psychologists, teachers, many health care providers as well as the general public, of some of the recent brain science that has important implications for porn users.
The core of the brain’s reward circuitry is a portion of the brain called the limbic system, shared with other mammals. It has been around for more than 100 million years. This is covered in any basic science course and is fundamental to understanding the process of learning, addiction and brain plasticity.
See:
• “Pathways of sexual desire,” G. Pfaus, J Sex Med. 2009 Jun;6(6):1506-33. Epub 2009 Apr 30.
o “Brain dopamine systems (incertohypothalamic and mesolimbic) that link the hypothalamus and limbic system [old brain] appear to form the core of the excitatory system [reward circuitry].”
• The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge, MD
o “The same surge of dopamine that thrills us also consolidates the neuronal connections responsible for the behaviors that led us to accomplish our goal. … Dopamine is also released in sexual excitement, increasing the sex drive in both sexes, facilitating orgasm, and activating the brain's pleasure centers. Hence the addictive power of pornography.” (p. 107)
• “Conditioned preferences induced by sex and drugs: a comparison of the neural bases,” Coria-Avila GA, Pfaus JG, Miquel M, Pacheco P, Manzo J. Rev Neurol. 2008 Feb 16-29;46(4):213-8.
o “Sex and drug reward can induce the development of new preferences, leading to the idea that the partner preferences that develop after sexual encounters and drug consumption are, in part, consequences of classical conditioning.”
• “Internet sex addiction treated with naltrexone,” Bostwick JM, Bucci JA., Mayo Clin Proc. 2008 Feb;83(2):226-30.
o “Dopamine is the neurotransmitter driving both normal and addictive behavior. Other neurotransmitters modulate the amount of dopamine released in response to a stimulus, with the salience determined by the intensity of the dopamine pulse. Opiates (either endogenous or exogenous) exemplify such modulators. Prescribed for treating alcoholism, naltrexone blocks opiates' capacity to augment dopamine release. This article reviews naltrexone's mechanism of action in the reward center and describes a novel use for naltrexone in suppressing a euphorically compulsive and interpersonally devastating addiction to Internet pornography.” [This indicates the porn user treated successfully had an addiction, and that it was going on in the limbic system (old brain).]
o [From the full study] As neuroscience further elucidates addiction's neural underpinnings, it becomes increasingly clear that a malfunctioning reward center is common to all compulsive behaviors, whether drug abuse, overeating, gambling, or excessive sexual activity. Although impulsive-compulsive sexual behavior has been little studied, it makes intuitive sense that pharmacotherapies effective against one type of addictive behavior would also combat other types. Each behavior has specific triggers and manifestations, yet the final common pathway for all involves neurochemical modulation of dopaminergic activity via receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) [deep in the limbic system].
• “Drug Addiction as a Pathology of Staged Neuroplasticity,” Peter W Kalivas and Charles O'Brien, Neuropsychopharmacology (2008) 33, 166–180; doi:10.1038/sj.npp.1301564
o “The Nac [“nucleus accumbens” in the limbic system] has a well-established role in mediating the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse and natural rewards such as food and sexual behaviour.
Recent brain research reveals that unrestricted access to junk food (highly stimulating food) can dysregulate brains and appetites. (http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v13/n5/pdf/nn.2519.pdf)
IMPLICATIONS
Why do we need to know this?
Proper in depth research on porn's effects on the brain (at a neurochemical level) simply hasn't been done, but the research on unrestricted access to super-stimulating food (on the same part of the reward circuitry that drives sex - i.e., D2 receptors in the striatum) suggests that lingering changes may be dampening users' pleasure response and driving bingeing. This appears to be leading to erectile dysfunction in men in their 20s, at least vis-a-vis real partners.
Most men experiencing this have been using Internet porn for years. Pointing this out isn’t about fostering guilt; but rather that too much synthetic sexual stimulation can dysregulate brains and appetites. What people do with the information is a personal choice, but failing to understand it and educate young people about the risk seems as unwise as failing to elucidate the risks of junk food.
The brain evolved to drive eating and mating, not, for example, golf. Entire civilizations have survived without golf. Since genetic success drives evolution, the human brain is at risk for overvaluing super-stimulating food and sexual stimuli, not sports. Consider that 64% of Americans are overweight, and half of those obese. Britain is close behind. And no “porn virgins” could be found for a recent study to serve as a control group.
Psychiatrists developing the upcoming DSM V include a hypersexuality diagnosis, which includes porn use: http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=415
Thursday, 1 July 2010
NOTE re Brain Function and evolution-part 2
How does this ancient reward centre undermine the power of reason and urge us toward its priorities? Primarily with surges of a neurochemical called ‘dopamine’. The intensity of the surge is related to the evolutionary importance of the anticipated goal. When a new mate is in the offing, then, as Romeo and Juliet would attest, these surges can override sound judgment. Dopamine can be considered the “I’ve got to have it” neurochemical. How compelling is the drive to mate? A Dutch scientist recently reported that brain activity at the peak of the sexual crescendo looks a lot like the brain activity of someone shooting heroin.(i)
This mechanism of the brain has no power to analyse what causes a dopamine surge. It simply urges us toward whatever sends dopamine soaring. Half a century ago scientists discovered that when they planted an electrode in the reward centre of a rat so that it could hit a lever to reproduce the effects of dopamine, it kept hitting the lever until it dropped.(ii) Not even food would distract it from this “rewarding,” but self-destructive, activity. When dopamine is high, humans, too, may become unnaturally goal-oriented, and feel strangely impervious to probable repercussions.
Anyone who can create in another the anticipation of a reward that sends dopamine soaring, gains a powerful hold over him or her. For addicts the desired reward might be a substance or activity, but for a deeply religious person that highly coveted reward might be union with his Creator. Targets can be manipulated to put these desires before their wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.
According to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, ‘wanting’ and ‘liking’ are actually separate urges in the brain, controlled by different circuits. Unfortunately the drive to ‘want’ is stronger than the drive to ‘enjoy.’(iii) This means that people can be driven to crave activities or substances that are, in fact, no longer pleasurable to them, but do offer temporary relief from the cravings themselves.People often self medicate with a stimulant or compulsive behaviour, to stay a step ahead of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. The reward centre is thus implicated in all addictions. When people use cocaine or alcohol, or even become entranced with titillating two-dimensional computer images, they hijack the reward centre. That is, they exploit a survival mechanism that works to decrease their chances of survival.
Unfortunately, when dopamine has been extremely high, it does not just drop back to normal levels. It falls even lower (down-regulates), below base line levels as if the body needs to recover after over-stimulation. Until it returns to normal, the user suffers an uncomfortable withdrawal phase. At this point in the cycle, he is especially susceptible to any suggestion, substance or activity that will bring his dopamine back up so he feels better again. It is actually the recurring drops in dopamine, combined with the promise of relief (rather than true wellbeing), which keep people locked in addictive behaviour. Anyone who has ever fanaticised about a lover knows how compelling, yet empty, an exercise it can be. True contentment lies in equilibrium, not this neurochemical cycle of highs and lows.
NOTES
i. G. Holstege, J.R. Georgiadis, A.M.J. Paans, L.C. Meiners, F.H.C.E. van der Graaf, & A.A.T.S. Reinders, Brain Activation during Human Male Ejaculation, The Journal of Neuroscience, 23(27) (2003), 9185-9193. (parallel drawn between brain scans of ejaculation and heroin rush)
ii. J. Olds & P. Milner, Positive reinforcement produced by electrical stimulation of the septal area and other regions of rat brain, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 47 (1954), 419-427.
iii. K.S. Smith & K.C. Berridge, (2007). Opioid Limbic Circuit for Reward: Interaction between Hedonic Hotspots of Nucleus Accumbens and Ventral Pallidum, The Journal of Neuroscience, 27(7) (2007), 1594-1605.
This mechanism of the brain has no power to analyse what causes a dopamine surge. It simply urges us toward whatever sends dopamine soaring. Half a century ago scientists discovered that when they planted an electrode in the reward centre of a rat so that it could hit a lever to reproduce the effects of dopamine, it kept hitting the lever until it dropped.(ii) Not even food would distract it from this “rewarding,” but self-destructive, activity. When dopamine is high, humans, too, may become unnaturally goal-oriented, and feel strangely impervious to probable repercussions.
Anyone who can create in another the anticipation of a reward that sends dopamine soaring, gains a powerful hold over him or her. For addicts the desired reward might be a substance or activity, but for a deeply religious person that highly coveted reward might be union with his Creator. Targets can be manipulated to put these desires before their wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.
According to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, ‘wanting’ and ‘liking’ are actually separate urges in the brain, controlled by different circuits. Unfortunately the drive to ‘want’ is stronger than the drive to ‘enjoy.’(iii) This means that people can be driven to crave activities or substances that are, in fact, no longer pleasurable to them, but do offer temporary relief from the cravings themselves.People often self medicate with a stimulant or compulsive behaviour, to stay a step ahead of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. The reward centre is thus implicated in all addictions. When people use cocaine or alcohol, or even become entranced with titillating two-dimensional computer images, they hijack the reward centre. That is, they exploit a survival mechanism that works to decrease their chances of survival.
Unfortunately, when dopamine has been extremely high, it does not just drop back to normal levels. It falls even lower (down-regulates), below base line levels as if the body needs to recover after over-stimulation. Until it returns to normal, the user suffers an uncomfortable withdrawal phase. At this point in the cycle, he is especially susceptible to any suggestion, substance or activity that will bring his dopamine back up so he feels better again. It is actually the recurring drops in dopamine, combined with the promise of relief (rather than true wellbeing), which keep people locked in addictive behaviour. Anyone who has ever fanaticised about a lover knows how compelling, yet empty, an exercise it can be. True contentment lies in equilibrium, not this neurochemical cycle of highs and lows.
NOTES
i. G. Holstege, J.R. Georgiadis, A.M.J. Paans, L.C. Meiners, F.H.C.E. van der Graaf, & A.A.T.S. Reinders, Brain Activation during Human Male Ejaculation, The Journal of Neuroscience, 23(27) (2003), 9185-9193. (parallel drawn between brain scans of ejaculation and heroin rush)
ii. J. Olds & P. Milner, Positive reinforcement produced by electrical stimulation of the septal area and other regions of rat brain, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 47 (1954), 419-427.
iii. K.S. Smith & K.C. Berridge, (2007). Opioid Limbic Circuit for Reward: Interaction between Hedonic Hotspots of Nucleus Accumbens and Ventral Pallidum, The Journal of Neuroscience, 27(7) (2007), 1594-1605.
NOTE re Brain Function and evolution-part 1
The neo-cortex or “new brain” is the source of rational thought. However, older structures in the brain, also present in reptiles and mammals, still regulate bodily functions and control important aspects of human behaviour without rational thought. They operate subconsciously.
For example, the primitive part of the brain known as the limbic system arose as mammals evolved from reptiles. One of its prime functions was to enable mammals to bond emotionally with their offspring, which, unlike reptile hatchlings, needed longer periods of nurturing to survive to maturity.
This limbic system is the seat of emotions and desires in both animals and humans. It still drives us toward the activities that helped our ancestors survive and pass on their genes by means of a mechanism known as the reward centre. The reward centre comprises several relatively small, interconnected brain structures. Although successful from evolution’s perspective it is also perilous.
1. First, we rely on it instinctively to make daily decisions. It tells us when to eat and drink and which courses of action are likely to prove rewarding – hence its name. Because these urges are subconscious they often go unexamined by the rational mind. They simply feel right and we assume they are our rational will.
2. Second, the top priority of this centre is the survival of our genes – not necessarily our wellbeing, not the happiness of our marriages, and definitely not our moral or spiritual improvement.
3. Third, modern life is vastly different from the life of our distant ancestors. Therefore, this centre’s priorities are often patently erroneous, even though they still feel entirely valid. For example, on a severely over-crowded planet, reckless procreation equates with wretchedness not survival, yet the reward centre encourages it.
4. Fourth, the reward centre does not point the way to satisfaction. In fact, its biological job is to create dissatisfaction, always pushing us from one thing to the next by promising satisfaction. For example, it is programmed to draw us to new mates, or repel us from our current mate, even though trusted companionship is best for health and longevity. Why? To increase the genetic variety of our offspring. In short, we are programmed to be susceptible to temptation.
5. Finally, when the reward centre is intensely stimulated, it subverts our ability to make sound decisions. It overrides our ability to use the neo-cortex to analyse our true circumstances. Then we are vulnerable to exploitation by charismatic leaders (good or bad), religious authorities, politicians, and advertisers.
NOTES:
i. T. Burnham, & J. Phelan, Mean Genes: From Sex, to Money to Food, Taming our Primal Instincts, Penguin Books, 2000.
ii. J. Young, S. De Geest, R. Spirig, M. Flepp, M. Rickenbach, H. Furrer, E. Bernasconi, B. Hirschel, A. Telenti, P. Vernazza, M. Battegay, & H.C. Bucher, Stable partnership and progression to AIDS or death in HIV infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy: Swiss HIV cohort study, BMJ (British Medical Journal), 328(7430) (2004), 15.
For example, the primitive part of the brain known as the limbic system arose as mammals evolved from reptiles. One of its prime functions was to enable mammals to bond emotionally with their offspring, which, unlike reptile hatchlings, needed longer periods of nurturing to survive to maturity.
This limbic system is the seat of emotions and desires in both animals and humans. It still drives us toward the activities that helped our ancestors survive and pass on their genes by means of a mechanism known as the reward centre. The reward centre comprises several relatively small, interconnected brain structures. Although successful from evolution’s perspective it is also perilous.
1. First, we rely on it instinctively to make daily decisions. It tells us when to eat and drink and which courses of action are likely to prove rewarding – hence its name. Because these urges are subconscious they often go unexamined by the rational mind. They simply feel right and we assume they are our rational will.
2. Second, the top priority of this centre is the survival of our genes – not necessarily our wellbeing, not the happiness of our marriages, and definitely not our moral or spiritual improvement.
3. Third, modern life is vastly different from the life of our distant ancestors. Therefore, this centre’s priorities are often patently erroneous, even though they still feel entirely valid. For example, on a severely over-crowded planet, reckless procreation equates with wretchedness not survival, yet the reward centre encourages it.
4. Fourth, the reward centre does not point the way to satisfaction. In fact, its biological job is to create dissatisfaction, always pushing us from one thing to the next by promising satisfaction. For example, it is programmed to draw us to new mates, or repel us from our current mate, even though trusted companionship is best for health and longevity. Why? To increase the genetic variety of our offspring. In short, we are programmed to be susceptible to temptation.
5. Finally, when the reward centre is intensely stimulated, it subverts our ability to make sound decisions. It overrides our ability to use the neo-cortex to analyse our true circumstances. Then we are vulnerable to exploitation by charismatic leaders (good or bad), religious authorities, politicians, and advertisers.
NOTES:
i. T. Burnham, & J. Phelan, Mean Genes: From Sex, to Money to Food, Taming our Primal Instincts, Penguin Books, 2000.
ii. J. Young, S. De Geest, R. Spirig, M. Flepp, M. Rickenbach, H. Furrer, E. Bernasconi, B. Hirschel, A. Telenti, P. Vernazza, M. Battegay, & H.C. Bucher, Stable partnership and progression to AIDS or death in HIV infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy: Swiss HIV cohort study, BMJ (British Medical Journal), 328(7430) (2004), 15.
Consultation paper on sex relationships and alcohol in schools
For UK readers, there is currently an opportunity to comment on the consultation paper from the NHS National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) on PHSE (personal, health and social education), focusing on Sex and Relationships and Alcohol. It is open from 17 June to 15 July 2010.
All the documents can be found here.
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=folder&o=49239
The focus of NICE is on the role of the parents in delivering relationship education. Feel free to share this information with parents or teachers or healthcare providers who may be interested in contributing.
All the documents can be found here.
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=folder&o=49239
The focus of NICE is on the role of the parents in delivering relationship education. Feel free to share this information with parents or teachers or healthcare providers who may be interested in contributing.
Channel 4- part 2
On Thursday 24 June, I attended the Channel 4 summer education conference, this time as a participant rather than as a guest speaker on the panel as last year.
I was in slight trepidation as the general mood then had been one of the IT world as nigh perfect and a force only for good. The suggestion that it might be potentially detrimental to cognitive and social development via the constant access and addictiveness of internet porn, was not warmly received by the mainly male audience. So it was with relief this year when Samira Ahmed, journalist and broadcaster, the excellent facilitator for the day, set a different tone and one more conducive to open discussion about it.
It came up indirectly at first- the elephant in the room. One presenter who funds creative projects in deprived areas, asked us “to leave our morality at the door” while he raved about a poor, under educated, black guy, who had learned to use cheap technology in a sophisticated and successful way. He spoke of this recently released convict who applied his knowledge to wreak revenge on his ex partner and her new boyfriend. He had forced the couple to perform a demeaning sexual act on each other which he proceeded to film on his phone then sent it viral via Blue Tooth in the East London (Deptford and Brixton) locality for everyone to receive on their mobile phones. Apparently it was a huge sensation in the area, delivered in 3 episodes.
The issues of the sexual abuse and criminal assault perpetrated on the woman and her boyfriend were not even mentioned. Several of us were concerned and disappointed at this omission, including Samira Ahmed. We got speaking over lunch. She remarked how women’s rights and the negative social implications of technology were being totally ignored. So afterwards, she called back the presenter of the earlier item and gave the matter an airing.
Samira has shown great interest in our work on education about porn material and has suggested follow up meetings over the summer with a view to doing an item on Channel 4 itself. This works well with the earlier interest from Jill Burridge, editor of Women's Hour on BBC Radio 4.
I was in slight trepidation as the general mood then had been one of the IT world as nigh perfect and a force only for good. The suggestion that it might be potentially detrimental to cognitive and social development via the constant access and addictiveness of internet porn, was not warmly received by the mainly male audience. So it was with relief this year when Samira Ahmed, journalist and broadcaster, the excellent facilitator for the day, set a different tone and one more conducive to open discussion about it.
It came up indirectly at first- the elephant in the room. One presenter who funds creative projects in deprived areas, asked us “to leave our morality at the door” while he raved about a poor, under educated, black guy, who had learned to use cheap technology in a sophisticated and successful way. He spoke of this recently released convict who applied his knowledge to wreak revenge on his ex partner and her new boyfriend. He had forced the couple to perform a demeaning sexual act on each other which he proceeded to film on his phone then sent it viral via Blue Tooth in the East London (Deptford and Brixton) locality for everyone to receive on their mobile phones. Apparently it was a huge sensation in the area, delivered in 3 episodes.
The issues of the sexual abuse and criminal assault perpetrated on the woman and her boyfriend were not even mentioned. Several of us were concerned and disappointed at this omission, including Samira Ahmed. We got speaking over lunch. She remarked how women’s rights and the negative social implications of technology were being totally ignored. So afterwards, she called back the presenter of the earlier item and gave the matter an airing.
Samira has shown great interest in our work on education about porn material and has suggested follow up meetings over the summer with a view to doing an item on Channel 4 itself. This works well with the earlier interest from Jill Burridge, editor of Women's Hour on BBC Radio 4.
Channel 4- part 1
On Thursday 24 June, I attended the Channel 4 summer education conference, this time as a participant rather than as a guest speaker on the panel as last year.
I was in slight trepidation as the general mood then had been one of the IT world as nigh perfect and a force only for good. The suggestion that it might be potentially detrimental to cognitive and social development via the constant access and addictiveness of internet porn, was not warmly received by the mainly male audience. So it was with relief this year when Samira Ahmed, journalist and broadcaster, the excellent facilitator for the day, set a different tone and one more conducive to open discussion about it.
It came up indirectly at first- the elephant in the room. One presenter who funds creative projects in deprived areas, asked us “to leave our morality at the door” while he raved about a poor, under educated, black guy, who had learned to use cheap technology in a sophisticated and successful way. He spoke of this recently released convict who applied his knowledge to wreak revenge on his ex partner and her new boyfriend. He had forced the couple to perform a demeaning sexual act on each other which he proceeded to film on his phone then sent it viral via Blue Tooth in the East London (Deptford and Brixton) locality for everyone to receive on their mobile phones. Apparently it was a huge sensation in the area, delivered in 3 episodes.
The issues of the sexual abuse and criminal assault perpetrated on the woman and her boyfriend were not even mentioned. Several of us were concerned and disappointed at this omission, including Samira Ahmed. We got speaking over lunch. She remarked how women’s rights and the negative social implications of technology were being totally ignored. So afterwards, she called back the presenter of the earlier item and gave the matter an airing.
Samira has shown great interest in our work on education about porn material and has suggested follow up meetings over the summer with a view to doing an item on Channel 4 itself. This works well with the earlier interest from Jill Burridge, editor of Women's Hour on BBC Radio 4.
I was in slight trepidation as the general mood then had been one of the IT world as nigh perfect and a force only for good. The suggestion that it might be potentially detrimental to cognitive and social development via the constant access and addictiveness of internet porn, was not warmly received by the mainly male audience. So it was with relief this year when Samira Ahmed, journalist and broadcaster, the excellent facilitator for the day, set a different tone and one more conducive to open discussion about it.
It came up indirectly at first- the elephant in the room. One presenter who funds creative projects in deprived areas, asked us “to leave our morality at the door” while he raved about a poor, under educated, black guy, who had learned to use cheap technology in a sophisticated and successful way. He spoke of this recently released convict who applied his knowledge to wreak revenge on his ex partner and her new boyfriend. He had forced the couple to perform a demeaning sexual act on each other which he proceeded to film on his phone then sent it viral via Blue Tooth in the East London (Deptford and Brixton) locality for everyone to receive on their mobile phones. Apparently it was a huge sensation in the area, delivered in 3 episodes.
The issues of the sexual abuse and criminal assault perpetrated on the woman and her boyfriend were not even mentioned. Several of us were concerned and disappointed at this omission, including Samira Ahmed. We got speaking over lunch. She remarked how women’s rights and the negative social implications of technology were being totally ignored. So afterwards, she called back the presenter of the earlier item and gave the matter an airing.
Samira has shown great interest in our work on education about porn material and has suggested follow up meetings over the summer with a view to doing an item on Channel 4 itself. This works well with the earlier interest from Jill Burridge, editor of Women's Hour on BBC Radio 4.
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