User:Anastasia.Shylnov/sandbox

Neuroscience of Porn Addiction
In a BOLD fMRI study conducted on 28 heterosexual males seeking treatment for self-diagnosed problematic pornography use and 24 males who did not self diagnose themselves with PPU, the individuals with PPU showed increased "ventral striatal reactivity for cues signaling erotic pictures (but not for erotic pictures per se)". This can be compared to a cigarette smoker who has strong reactivity to the sight of a cigarette. Cue reactivity in self-diagnosed PPU subjects had a strong correlation with self reported compulsive sexual behavior.

Men without CSB who had a long history of viewing pornography exhibited a less intense response to pornographic images in the left ventral putamen, possibly suggestive of desensitization. Another fMRI study conducted by Voon, et al presented similar findings that provide additional evidence of increased cue reactivity in individuals with CSB.

BOLD fMRI results have shown that individuals diagnosed with compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) show enhanced cue reactivity in brain regions associated traditionally with drug-cue reactivity. These regions include the amygdala and the ventral striatum.

Effects on life functioning
In an internet based survey of 911 Croatian and 210 German men in relationships, hypersexuality was found to have a correlation with erectile dysfunction.

60% of individuals with compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) reported having trouble becoming erect and maintaining an erection due to the use of sexually explicit material.

Treatment
Compulsive sexual behavior has been treated with antidepressants including SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, naltrexone, a medication used to inhibit reward mechanisms in opiate or alcohol addictions, other mood-stabilizers, and anti-androgens.

Support Groups
Fight the New Drug, a Salt Lake City based non-profit, is a non-religious and non-legislative organization, which seeks to inform and educate individuals regarding pornography usage with science and personal stories. It is aimed at the youth demographic to raise awareness of potential problems with pornography.