Neuroscience of Internet Pornography Addiction: A Review and Update

Abstract

Many recognize that several behaviors potentially affecting the reward circuitry in human brains lead to a loss of control and other symptoms of addiction in at least some individuals. Regarding Internet addiction, neuroscientific research supports the assumption that underlying neural processes are similar to substance addiction. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has recognized one such Internet related behavior, Internet gaming, as a potential addictive disorder warranting further study, in the 2013 revision of their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Other Internet related behaviors, e.g., Internet pornography use, were not covered. Within this review, we give a summary of the concepts proposed underlying addiction and give an overview about neuroscientific studies on Internet addiction and Internet gaming disorder. Moreover, we reviewed available neuroscientific literature on Internet pornography addiction and connect the results to the addiction model. The review leads to the conclusion that Internet pornography addiction fits into the addiction framework and shares similar basic mechanisms with substance addiction. Together with studies on Internet addiction and Internet Gaming Disorder we see strong evidence for considering addictive Internet behaviors as behavioral addiction. Future research needs to address whether or not there are specific differences between substance and behavioral addiction.

Internet Addiction: A Review of the First Twenty Years

“…This leads to conceptualizing Internet-related disorders, such as IGD, online social networking addiction or online sexual addiction as a spectrum of behavioral addictions (Billieux 2012). In an extensive literature research review on Internet addiction and pornography addiction, Love et al (2015) concludes that Internet pornography addiction fits into the addiction framework and shares similar basic mechanisms with substance addiction. It stimulates the brain's reward system, and the person is searching for additional excitement online.…”

Eliminate Chronic Internet Pornography Use to Reveal Its Effects

“…They also often report withdrawal symptoms during the weeks (and even months) after quitting IP use, such as irritability, insomnia, mood swings, headaches, panic attacks, depression, sweating, lack of focus, lethargy, suicidal ideation, or uncontrollable cravings to use IP. Incidentally, functional magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychology studies published in the last few years lend strong support to the hypothesis that IP addiction exists and involves brain changes similar to those found in substance addicts (Kraus, Voon, & Potenza, 2016;Love, Laier, Brand, Hatch, & Hajela, 2015).…”

Digital Addiction: Increased Loneliness, Anxiety, and Depression

“…This provides the intermittent rewards which activate reward circuits in the brain and lead to behaviors that would be labeled internet addiction. The American Society for Addiction Medicine (ASAM) as well as the American Psychiatric Association (APA) have updated their definitions of addiction to include not only exposure to and dependency on a variety of substances but also exposure to and dependency on a variety of behaviors such as video gaming (Love, Laier, Brand, Hatch, & Hajela, 2015).…”