The reason I wanted to go over dopamine in that way is because people pushing the sex addiction model frame dopamine as *the* reward we’re getting when an orgasm happens instead of discussing the complexity and gaps in scientific knowledge. And when it comes to sex, dopamine has a very specific role in prepping for body for excitation but I haven’t found anything to suggest that dopamine is released during orgasm itself. (Honestly, we still don’t completely understand why the hell orgasms feel so good. I highly, highly recommend reading “The Science of Orgasm” if you want to get an in-depth look at what we do know.).

In no way am I writing off compulsive behaviors. In fact, I’m arguing that all compulsive behaviors should be grouped together because of the common dopamine involvement, whether or not they involve sex as the object of compulsion. (Relevant Snip: “While I completely disagree with the “sex addiction” concept, I do believe anxiety will cause people to engage in a variety of compulsive behaviors. But it could just as easily be compulsively polishing a rifle as it could be compulsive rest stop blow jobs. The issue is neither the gun nor the cock; the issue is anxiety.”)

I hope this makes sense! I’d also really like to check out your paper if you’re ok with sharing it. You can email me at thesexademic AT gmail

Cheers!

-Jessi

So the release of dopamine certainly can correspond with compulsive behaviors (as the article states) that may be unhealthy to the individual. This is evident in a wide range of behaviors like sex and porn that are usually associated with increased mental health. People may find that they continue to perform these behaviors despite consequences and that it is beyond their control – the hallmark of addictive behaviors. Consequences are usually related to harming important relationships in their life due to such time consuming use, which is rare and not to be confused with just “watching porn because porn is inherently bad.”

But sex and porn are not associated with neurobiological changes in the brain that correspond with the withdrawal that perpetuates use in substance dependent individuals. See, most addicted individuals don’t continue to use to gain pleasure, they do it relieve themselves of the pain they feel due to the changes the drug has made in the brain.

Obviously anyone should and I’m sure will take what I’m saying with a grain of salt, as I clearly don’t have expert science chops. But spending three months learning about addiction has given me a good base of knowledge surrounding these areas. I think that individuals who write off sexually healthy individuals who happen to be very sexually active as sex addicts and mentally unstable are obviously in the wrong. But writing off the potential existence of compulsive behaviors that can cause harm in a person’s life just for the sake of being sex positive isn’t good either, and I see a lot of that on blogs like these. I just want everyone to do all the research with an open mind, because too much of even a wonderfully healthy and natural thing can certainly become a bad thing.

Yikes, holy long comment batman!

I am also “more than deeply disappointed with NatGeo.”

I suspect this is the real cause of errors in NatGeo’s upcoming show. Not properly doing their research. While I will continue to respect the work of the Society so long as they don’t make a habit of this, every organization, as it grows larger, is bound to have some incompetents creep in, as it becomes more difficult to monitor all the activities of all the members.