Sexual Addiction and Pornography Addiction A. Tom Horvath, Ph. Epner, Ph. Zupanick, Psy. Sexual activity, like alcohol, drugs, and gambling, increases levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is the primary neurotransmitter in the brain's reward system. Because sex is an activity that promotes the survival of the species, the brain rewards this activity with dopamine.

Motivation 24 comments. Every type of reward that has been studied, in fact, increases the level of dopamine in the limbic system of the brain. The limbic system is the primitive part of the brain that ensures survival, governs emotions, and is the seat of all desires and drives. This is the area of the brain where all addiction happens.

While some of these addictions, like gambling addiction , are much more accepted than others, like sex addiction, there is still a great deal of controversy from medical professionals on where addictions end and compulsions begin. Regardless, there are people suffering. So, whether it is an addiction or compulsion, people should still need help.