Neuroscience of Internet Pornography Addiction: A Review and Update

Love, Todd; Laier, Christian; Brand, Matthias; Hatch, Linda; Hajela, Raju

doi:10.3390/bs5030388

Cited by 262Sexuality, Behavior, and TechnologyImpact of Technology on AdolescentsGambling Behavior and Treatments

Neuroscience of Internet Pornography Addiction: A Review and Update

Open access

Love, Todd, Laier, Christian, Brand, Matthias, Hatch, Linda, Hajela, Raju·2015·Behavioral Sciences

DOI 10.3390/bs5030388PMC PMC4600144

Open this paper in CoChat — free account Open PDF

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.

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3390/bs5030388

Cites

310 of 310 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Recent studies indicate that compulsive sexual arousal may be addictive and hazardous to otherwise healthy people because it has neurological effects on the brain comparable to those of drugs.
“Recent studies indicate that compulsive sexual arousal may be addictive and hazardous to otherwise healthy people because it has neurological effects on the brain that are comparable to those of drugs (Love et al., 2015;Nestler, 2005;Phillips et al., 2015;Reisman, 2004;Voon et al., 2014).”
From “Your Addiction, her Sexual Suffering”—A Qualitative Inquiry into the Effects of Compulsive Sexual Behaviors on Intimate Female Partners (2025) · cites this paper as Love et al., 2015
The Neurobiology of Addictive Behaviors section reports overlapping sexual-cue and drug-cue brain responses in people with compulsive sexual behavior. It also reports correlations between pornography use and brain measures in healthy men. These passages support possible addiction-like neurological effects, but they do not establish that compulsive sexual arousal is hazardous to otherwise healthy people because of those effects; the review chiefly discusses compulsive sexual behavior and internet pornography use. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Behavioral addictions indirectly affect the brain's neurotransmitter system, especially the dopamine system, and function as a reinforcement comparable to pharmacological substances that directly affect this system.
“Behavioral addictions indirectly affect the brain's neurotransmitter system, especially the dopamine system, and function as a reinforcement comparable to pharmacological substances that directly affect this system.”
From Cybersex addiction: An overview of the development and treatment of a newly emerging disorder (2020) · cites this paper as [21]
Section 3.1 says drugs affect the mesolimbic dopamine pathway and naturally occurring behaviors activate the reward system. Section 3.2 reports that sexual behavior and drugs of abuse act on the same reward pathways, supporting the comparison. The copy does not establish the claim’s specific distinction that behavioral addictions affect neurotransmission indirectly while pharmacological substances affect it directly. (LLM, conf=0.78)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

The self-check needs the paper’s full text.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
American Psychiatric Association (2013) · doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596 · Cited by 116,369 · see citing works
The Unity and Diversity of Executive Functions and Their Contributions to Complex “Frontal Lobe” Tasks: A Latent Variable Analysis
Miyake, A., Friedman, N. P., Emerson, M. J., Witzki, A. H., Howerter, A., & Wager, T. D. (2000) · Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.1006/cogp.1999.0734 · Cited by 15,798 · see citing works
The neural basis of drug craving: An incentive-sensitization theory of addiction
Robinson, T. (1993) · Brain Research Reviews · doi:10.1016/0165-0173(93)90013-p · Cited by 7,346 · see citing works
Neurocircuitry of Addiction
Koob, G. F., & Volkow, N. D. (2010) · Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1038/npp.2009.110 · Cited by 5,340 · see citing works
Neural systems of reinforcement for drug addiction: from actions to habits to compulsion
Everitt, B. J., & Robbins, T. W. (2005) · Nature Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/nn1579 · Cited by 3,785 · see citing works
A cognitive-behavioral model of pathological Internet use
Davis, R. A. (2001) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/s0747-5632(00)00041-8 · Cited by 3,010 · see citing works
Storage and Executive Processes in the Frontal Lobes
Smith, E. E., & Jonides, J. (1999) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.283.5408.1657 · Cited by 2,834 · see citing works
Dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex in addiction: neuroimaging findings and clinical implications
Goldstein, R. Z., & Volkow, N. D. (2011) · Nature Reviews Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/nrn3119 · Cited by 2,749 · see citing works
NEURAL MECHANISMS OF ADDICTION: The Role of Reward-Related Learning and Memory
Hyman, S. E., Malenka, R. C., & Nestler, E. J. (2006) · Annual Review of Neuroscience · doi:10.1146/annurev.neuro.29.051605.113009 · Cited by 2,647 · see citing works
Decision making, impulse control and loss of willpower to resist drugs: a neurocognitive perspective
Bechara, A. (2005) · Nature Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/nn1584 · Cited by 2,149 · cited 1× · see citing works
“This was taken into account to explain repeated drug administration and the preference for short-term reinforcement due to the drug despite severe negative consequences following drug use [280].”
Background
Dissecting components of reward: ‘liking’, ‘wanting’, and learning
Berridge, K. C., Robinson, T. E., & Aldridge, J. W. (2009) · Current Opinion in Pharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.coph.2008.12.014 · Cited by 1,942 · see citing works
Development of a Facebook Addiction Scale
Andreassen, C. S., Torsheim, T., Brunborg, G. S., & Pallesen, S. (2012) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.2466/02.09.18.pr0.110.2.501-517 · Cited by 1,884 · see citing works
The incentive sensitization theory of addiction: some current issues
Robinson, T. E., & Berridge, K. C. (2008) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0093 · Cited by 1,717 · see citing works
An opponent-process theory of motivation. I. Temporal dynamics of affect
Solomon, R. L., & Corbit, J. D. (1974) · Psychological Review · doi:10.1037/h0036128 · Cited by 1,704 · see citing works
The elusive nature of executive functions: a review of our current understanding.
Jurado, M. B., & Rosselli, M. (2007) · Neuropsychology Review · doi:10.1007/s11065-007-9040-z · Cited by 1,684 · see citing works
Assessment of executive functions: Review of instruments and identification of critical issues.
CHAN, R., SHUM, D., TOULOPOULOU, T., & CHEN, E. (2008) · Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology · doi:10.1016/j.acn.2007.08.010 · Cited by 1,401 · see citing works
Is there a common molecular pathway for addiction?
Nestler, E. J. (2005) · Nature Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/nn1578 · Cited by 1,388 · see citing works
Issues for DSM-V: Internet Addiction
Block, J. J. (2008) · American Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2007.07101556 · Cited by 1,385 · see citing works
Internet addiction: a systematic review of epidemiological research for the last decade
Kuss, D., Griffiths, M., Karila, L., & Billieux, J. (2014) · Current Pharmaceutical Design · doi:10.2174/13816128113199990617 · Cited by 1,374 · see citing works
Evidence for striatal dopamine release during a video game
Koepp, M. J., Gunn, R. N., Lawrence, A. D., Cunningham, V. J., Dagher, A., Jones, T., Brooks, D. J., Bench, C. J., & Grasby, P. M. (1998) · Nature · doi:10.1038/30498 · Cited by 1,279 · see citing works
Introduction to Behavioral Addictions
Grant, J. E., Potenza, M. N., Weinstein, A., & Gorelick, D. A. (2010) · The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse · doi:10.3109/00952990.2010.491884 · Cited by 1,242 · see citing works
Executive functions and the frontal lobes: a conceptual view
Stuss, D. T., & Alexander, M. P. (2000) · Psychological Research · doi:10.1007/s004269900007 · Cited by 1,159 · see citing works
Internet Gaming Addiction: A Systematic Review of Empirical Research
Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2012) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-011-9318-5 · Cited by 1,113 · cited 3× · see citing works
“subtypes [15,36,47,98–113].”
Background
Allelic Association of Human Dopamine D2 Receptor Gene in Alcoholism
Blum, K. (1990) · JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association · doi:10.1001/jama.1990.03440150063027 · Cited by 1,055 · see citing works
Transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of addiction
Robison, A. J., & Nestler, E. J. (2011) · Nature Reviews Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/nrn3111 · Cited by 993 · see citing works
The compulsive internet use scale (CIUS): some psychometric properties
Meerkerk, G.-J., Van Den Eijnden, R. J. J. M., Vermulst, A. A., & Garretsen, H. F. L. (2009) · CyberPsychology & Behavior · doi:10.1089/cpb.2008.0181 · Cited by 989 · see citing works
The Reward Deficiency Syndrome: A Biogenetic Model for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Impulsive, Addictive and Compulsive Behaviors
Blum, K., Braverman, E. R., Holder, J. M., Lubar, J. F., Monastra, V. J., Miller, D., Lubar, J. O., Chen, T. J. H., & Comings, D. E. (2000) · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs · doi:10.1080/02791072.2000.10736099 · Cited by 977 · see citing works
Addiction: Beyond dopamine reward circuitry
Volkow, N. D., Wang, G.-J., Fowler, J. S., Tomasi, D., & Telang, F. (2011) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1010654108 · Cited by 959 · see citing works
Internet Addiction or Excessive Internet Use
Weinstein, A., & Lejoyeux, M. (2010) · The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse · doi:10.3109/00952990.2010.491880 · Cited by 929 · see citing works
The association between Internet addiction and psychiatric disorder: A review of the literature
Ko, C.-H., Yen, J.-Y., Yen, C.-F., Chen, C.-S., & Chen, C.-C. (2012) · European Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2010.04.011 · Cited by 895 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Numerous neuroimaging studies substantiate this model [49,50], and”
Result
Social network site addiction - An overview
Andreassen, C., & Pallesen, S. (2014) · Current Pharmaceutical Design · doi:10.2174/13816128113199990616 · Cited by 840 · cited 1× · see citing works
“and thus not within the scope of this paper for further review [100,104,171,230–241].”
Background
Obesity and addiction: Neurobiological overlaps
Volkow, N. D., Wang, G. ‐., Tomasi, D., & Baler, R. D. (2013) · Obesity Reviews · doi:10.1111/j.1467-789x.2012.01031.x · Cited by 800 · see citing works
Executive Control Function
Royall, D. R., Lauterbach, E. C., Cummings, J. L., Reeve, A., Rummans, T. A., Kaufer, D., LaFrance, W. C., Jr., & Coffey, C. E. (2002) · Journal of Neuropsychiatry · doi:10.1176/jnp.14.4.377 · Cited by 790 · see citing works
The brain that changes itself: stories of personal triumph from the frontiers of brain science
(2008) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.45-5559 · Cited by 756 · see citing works
An overview of problematic Internet use
Spada, M. M. (2013) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.09.007 · Cited by 741 · see citing works
Drug Addiction as a Pathology of Staged Neuroplasticity
Kalivas, P. W., & O’Brien, C. P. (2007) · Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1038/sj.npp.1301564 · Cited by 735 · see citing works
Neurobiological mechanisms for opponent motivational processes in addiction
Koob, G. F., & Moal, M. L. (2008) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0094 · Cited by 702 · see citing works
Social networking on smartphones: When mobile phones become addictive
Salehan, M., & Negahban, A. (2013) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2013.07.003 · Cited by 700 · see citing works
From the ventral to the dorsal striatum: devolving views of their roles in drug addiction
Everitt, B. J., & Robbins, T. W. (2013) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.02.010 · Cited by 675 · see citing works
Brain activities associated with gaming urge of online gaming addiction
Ko, C.-H., Liu, G.-C., Hsiao, S., Yen, J.-Y., Yang, M.-J., Lin, W.-C., Yen, C.-F., & Chen, C.-S. (2009) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2008.09.012 · Cited by 666 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Categorized by technology, these brain studies comprise 44 fMRI studies [103,132,134,135,160–199],”
Method
Probing compulsive and impulsive behaviors, from animal models to endophenotypes: A narrative review
Fineberg, N. A., Potenza, M. N., Chamberlain, S. R., Berlin, H. A., Menzies, L., Bechara, A., Sahakian, B. J., Robbins, T. W., Bullmore, E. T., & Hollander, E. (2010) · Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1038/npp.2009.185 · Cited by 654 · see citing works
ΔFosB: A sustained molecular switch for addiction
Nestler, E. J., Barrot, M., & Self, D. W. (2001) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.191352698 · Cited by 640 · cited 1× · see citing works
“A large amount of research on the molecular explanation for addiction has emerged in the last decade, often focusing on the roles of CREB, DeltaFosB and glutamate [2,68–73].”
Background
The Association between Pathological Internet Use and Comorbid Psychopathology: A Systematic Review
Carli, V., Durkee, T., Wasserman, D., Hadlaczky, G., Despalins, R., Kramarz, E., Wasserman, C., Sarchiapone, M., Hoven, C. W., Brunner, R., et al. (2013) · Psychopathology · doi:10.1159/000337971 · Cited by 639 · see citing works
Reward deficiency syndrome: genetic aspects of behavioral disorders
Comings, D. E., & Blum, K. (2000) · Progress in Brain Research · doi:10.1016/s0079-6123(00)26022-6 · Cited by 621 · see citing works
Proposed diagnostic criteria for internet addiction
Tao, R., Huang, X., Wang, J., Zhang, H., Zhang, Y., & Li, M. (2010) · Addiction · doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02828.x · Cited by 614 · see citing works
Implicit cognition and addiction: a tool for explaining paradoxical behavior
Stacy, A. W., & Wiers, R. W. (2010) · Annual Review of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.121208.131444 · Cited by 607 · see citing works
Online video game addiction: identification of addicted adolescent gamers
van Rooij, A. J., Schoenmakers, T. M., Vermulst, A. A., van den Eijnden, R. J. J. M., & van de Mheen, D. (2010) · Addiction · doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03104.x · Cited by 574 · see citing works
Prefrontal Control and Internet Addiction: A Theoretical Model and Review of Neuropsychological and Neuroimaging Findings
Brand, M., Young, K. S., & Laier, C. (2014) · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00375 · Cited by 565 · cited 22× · see citing works
“Laier, C.; Pawlikowski, M.; Brand, M. Sexual picture processing interferes with decision making under ambiguity.”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialSelf-citation
Internet gaming disorder and the DSM ‐5
Petry, N. M., & O’Brien, C. P. (2013) · Addiction · doi:10.1111/add.12162 · Cited by 523 · see citing works
The neurobiology of pathological gambling and drug addiction: an overview and new findings
Potenza, M. N. (2008) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0100 · Cited by 508 · see citing works
New developments in human neurocognition: clinical, genetic and brain imaging correlates of impulsivity and compulsivity
Fineberg, N. A., Chamberlain, S. R., Goudriaan, A. E., Stein, D. J., Vanderschuren, L. J. M. J., Gillan, C. M., Shekar, S., Gorwood, P. A. P. M., Voon, V., Morein-Zamir, S., et al. (2014) · CNS Spectrums · doi:10.1017/s1092852913000801 · Cited by 488 · see citing works
Facebook addiction among Turkish college students: The role of psychological health, demographic, and usage characteristics
Koc, M., & Gulyagci, S. (2013) · Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2012.0249 · Cited by 487 · see citing works
Reward Deficiency Syndrome
Blum, K. (2017) · Sage eBooks · doi:10.4135/9781483365817.n1156 · Cited by 474 · see citing works
Is Facebook creating iDisorders? The link between clinical symptoms of psychiatric disorders and technology use, attitudes and anxiety
Rosen, L. D., Whaling, K., Rab, S., Carrier, L. M., & Cheever, N. A. (2013) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2012.11.012 · Cited by 472 · see citing works
Disentangling pleasure from incentive salience and learning signals in brain reward circuitry
Smith, K. S., Berridge, K. C., & Aldridge, J. W. (2011) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1101920108 · Cited by 464 · see citing works
Neural correlates of sexual cue reactivity in individuals with and without compulsive sexual behaviours
Voon, V., Mole, T. B., Banca, P., Porter, L., Morris, L., Mitchell, S., Lapa, T. R., Karr, J., Harrison, N. A., Potenza, M. N., et al. (2014) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0102419 · Cited by 462 · see citing works
An Opponent-Process Theory of Motivation
Solomon, R. L., & Corbit, J. D. (2008) · Cited by 461 · see citing works
Toward a consensus definition of pathological video-gaming: A systematic review of psychometric assessment tools
King, D. L., Haagsma, M. C., Delfabbro, P., Gradisar, M., & Griffiths, M. D. (2013) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2013.01.002 · Cited by 459 · see citing works
The Impact of Internet Pornography on Adolescents: A Review of the Research
Owens, E. W., Behun, R. J., Manning, J. C., & Reid, R. C. (2012) · Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity The Journal of Treatment and Prevention · doi:10.1080/10720162.2012.660431 · Cited by 445 · see citing works
Internet and Gaming Addiction: A Systematic Literature Review of Neuroimaging Studies
Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2012) · Brain Sciences · doi:10.3390/brainsci2030347 · Cited by 437 · see citing works
Brain activation and sexual arousal in healthy, heterosexual males
Arnow, B. A., Desmond, J. E., Banner, L. L., Glover, G. H., Solomon, A., Polan, M. L., Lue, T. F., & Atlas, S. W. (2002) · Brain · doi:10.1093/brain/awf108 · Cited by 425 · see citing works
Brain Activation during Human Male Ejaculation
Holstege, G., Georgiadis, J. R., Paans, A. M. J., Meiners, L. C., van der Graaf, F. H. C. E., & Reinders, A. A. T. S. (2003) · The Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.23-27-09185.2003 · Cited by 424 · see citing works
Internet Gaming Addiction, Problematic Use of the Internet, and Sleep Problems: A Systematic Review
Lam, L. T.-M. (2014) · Current Psychiatry Reports · doi:10.1007/s11920-014-0444-1 · Cited by 407 · see citing works
Treatment of internet addiction: a meta-analysis
Winkler, A., Dörsing, B., Rief, W., Shen, Y., & Glombiewski, J. A. (2013) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.12.005 · Cited by 404 · see citing works
The human sexual response cycle: Brain imaging evidence linking sex to other pleasures
Georgiadis, J. R., & Kringelbach, M. L. (2012) · Progress in Neurobiology · doi:10.1016/j.pneurobio.2012.05.004 · Cited by 399 · see citing works
Prelude to Passion: Limbic Activation by “Unseen” Drug and Sexual Cues
Childress, A. R., Ehrman, R. N., Wang, Z., Li, Y., Sciortino, N., Hakun, J. G., Jens, W., Suh, J. J., Listerud, J., Marquez, K., et al. (2008) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0001506 · Cited by 395 · see citing works
Transcriptional mechanisms of addiction: role of ΔFosB
Nestler, E. J. (2008) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0067 · Cited by 392 · see citing works
The Addictive Dimensionality of Obesity
Volkow, N. D., Wang, G.-J., Tomasi, D., & Baler, R. D. (2013) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.12.020 · Cited by 380 · see citing works
The Neurobiology of Substance and Behavioral Addictions
Grant, J. E., Brewer, J. A., & Potenza, M. N. (2006) · CNS Spectrums · doi:10.1017/s109285290001511x · Cited by 372 · see citing works
Microstructure Abnormalities in Adolescents with Internet Addiction Disorder
Yuan, K., Qin, W., Wang, G., Zeng, F., Zhao, L., Yang, X., Liu, P., Liu, J., Sun, J., von Deneen, K. M., et al. (2011) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0020708 · Cited by 367 · see citing works
Proposed Diagnostic Criteria of Internet Addiction for Adolescents
Ko, C., Yen, J., Chen, C., Chen, S., & Yen, C. (2005) · The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease · doi:10.1097/01.nmd.0000185891.13719.54 · Cited by 351 · see citing works
The effect of methylphenidate on Internet video game play in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Han, D. H., Lee, Y. S., Na, C., Ahn, J. Y., Chung, U., Daniels, M. A., Haws, C. A., & Renshaw, P. F. (2008) · Comprehensive Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2008.08.011 · Cited by 344 · see citing works
Natural rewards, neuroplasticity, and non-drug addictions
Olsen, C. M. (2011) · Neuropharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.03.010 · Cited by 339 · see citing works
Negative reinforcement in drug addiction: the darkness within
Koob, G. F. (2013) · Current Opinion in Neurobiology · doi:10.1016/j.conb.2013.03.011 · Cited by 338 · see citing works
Bupropion sustained release treatment decreases craving for video games and cue-induced brain activity in patients with Internet video game addiction.
Han, D. H., Hwang, J. W., & Renshaw, P. F. (2010) · Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1037/a0020023 · Cited by 324 · see citing works
Instant transformation of learned repulsion into motivational “wanting”
Robinson, M. J. F., & Berridge, K. C. (2013) · Current Biology · doi:10.1016/j.cub.2013.01.016 · Cited by 320 · see citing works
A Review of Internet Pornography Use Research: Methodology and Content from the Past 10 Years
Short, M. B., Black, L., Smith, A. H., Wetterneck, C. T., & Wells, D. E. (2011) · Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2010.0477 · Cited by 306 · see citing works
Gray matter abnormalities in internet addiction: a voxel-based morphometry study
Zhou, Y., Lin, F.-C., Du, Y.-S., Qin, L.-D., Zhao, Z.-M., Xu, J.-R., & Lei, H. (2011) · European Journal of Radiology · doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2009.10.025 · Cited by 301 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Of the 10 remaining articles, four studies referred to gaming as one of three subtypes of IA [34,116,123,124], one referenced gaming as one of ten subtypes [125], three made use of the terms “game” and “gaming” interwoven with other Internet related terms such as “gambling” and “pornography” [126–128], and two referre…”
Background
A psychometric comparison of the Internet Addiction Test, the Internet-Related Problem Scale, and self-diagnosis
Widyanto, L., Griffiths, M. D., & Brunsden, V. (2011) · Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2010.0151 · Cited by 298 · see citing works
Impulse inhibition in people with Internet addiction disorder: Electrophysiological evidence from a Go/NoGo study
Dong, G., Lu, Q., Zhou, H., & Zhao, X. (2010) · Neuroscience Letters · doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2010.09.002 · Cited by 296 · cited 15× · see citing works
“Yuan, K.; Cheng, P.; Dong, T.; Bi, Y.; Xing, L.; Yu, D.; Zhao, L.; Dong, M.; von Deneen, K.M.; Liu, Y.; Qin, W.; Tian, J. Cortical Thickness Abnormalities in Late Adolescence with Online Gaming Addiction.”
BackgroundInfluential
Reduced striatal dopamine D2 receptors in people with Internet addiction
Kim, S. H., Baik, S.-H., Park, C. S., Kim, S. J., Choi, S. W., & Kim, S. E. (2011) · NeuroReport · doi:10.1097/wnr.0b013e328346e16e · Cited by 295 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Of the 10 remaining articles, four studies referred to gaming as one of three subtypes of IA [34,116,123,124], one referenced gaming as one of ten subtypes [125], three made use of the terms “game” and “gaming” interwoven with other Internet related terms such as “gambling” and “pornography” [126–128], and two referre…”
Background
Trait impulsivity and impaired prefrontal impulse inhibition function in adolescents with internet gaming addiction revealed by a Go/No-Go fMRI study
Ding, W.-N., Sun, J.-H., Sun, Y.-W., Chen, X., Zhou, Y., Zhuang, Z.-G., Li, L., Zhang, Y., Xu, J.-R., & Du, Y.-S. (2014) · Behavioral and Brain Functions · doi:10.1186/1744-9081-10-20 · Cited by 294 · see citing works
Impaired inhibitory control in internet addiction disorder: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Dong, G., DeVito, E. E., Du, X., & Cui, Z. (2012) · Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging · doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2012.02.001 · Cited by 289 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Categorized by technology, these brain studies comprise 44 fMRI studies [103,132,134,135,160–199],”
Method
Assessing clinical trials of Internet addiction treatment: A systematic review and CONSORT evaluation
King, D. L., Delfabbro, P., Griffiths, M. D., & Gradisar, M. (2011) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2011.06.009 · Cited by 284 · see citing works
Abnormal White Matter Integrity in Adolescents with Internet Addiction Disorder: A Tract-Based Spatial Statistics Study
Lin, F., Zhou, Y. F., Du, Y., Qin, L.-D., Zhao, Z., Jian-rong, X., & Lei, H. C. (2012) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0030253 · Cited by 278 · see citing works
Computer and Video Game Addiction—A Comparison between Game Users and Non-Game Users
Weinstein, A. M. (2010) · The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse · doi:10.3109/00952990.2010.491879 · Cited by 277 · see citing works
Internet sex addiction: A review of empirical research
Griffiths, M. D. (2012) · Addiction Research & Theory · doi:10.3109/16066359.2011.588351 · Cited by 275 · see citing works
The Emperor Has No Clothes: A Review of the ‘Pornography Addiction’ Model
Ley, D., Prause, N., & Finn, P. (2014) · Current Sexual Health Reports · doi:10.1007/s11930-014-0016-8 · Cited by 272 · see citing works
Brain correlates of craving for online gaming under cue exposure in subjects with Internet gaming addiction and in remitted subjects
Ko, C., Liu, G., Yen, J., Chen, C., Yen, C., & Chen, C. (2011) · Addiction Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1369-1600.2011.00405.x · Cited by 271 · see citing works
Gambling Disorder and Other Behavioral Addictions: Recognition and Treatment
Yau, Y. H. C., & Potenza, M. N. (2015) · Harvard Review of Psychiatry · doi:10.1097/hrp.0000000000000051 · Cited by 267 · cited 4× · see citing works
“Yau, Potenza, Mayes and Crowley [151] employed a Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), and reported lower feedback-related negativity (FRN) and P300 amplitudes in “at risk problematic Internet users” compared to controls.”
BackgroundInfluential
Anticipation of novelty recruits reward system and hippocampus while promoting recollection
Wittmann, B. C., Bunzeck, N., Dolan, R. J., & Düzel, E. (2007) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2007.06.038 · Cited by 265 · see citing works
Dopamine modulates novelty seeking behavior during decision making.
Costa, V. D., Tran, V. L., Turchi, J., & Averbeck, B. B. (2014) · Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.1037/a0037128 · Cited by 263 · see citing works
Internet addiction: prevalence, discriminant validity and correlates among adolescents in Hong Kong
Fu, K., Chan, W. S. C., Wong, P. W. C., & YIP, P. S. F. (2010) · The British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.109.075002 · Cited by 260 · see citing works
Sex Differences in Response to Visual Sexual Stimuli: A Review
Rupp, H. A., & Wallen, K. (2007) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-007-9217-9 · Cited by 259 · see citing works
Cellular basis of memory for addiction
Nestler, E. J. (2013) · Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience · doi:10.31887/dcns.2013.15.4/enestler · Cited by 259 · see citing works
Enhanced reward sensitivity and decreased loss sensitivity in internet addicts: an fMRI study during a guessing task
Dong, G., Huang, J., & Du, X. (2011) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.06.017 · Cited by 258 · see citing works
Predicting Compulsive Internet Use: It's All about Sex!
Meerkerk, G.-J., Eijnden, R. J. J. M. V. D., & Garretsen, H. F. L. (2006) · CyberPsychology & Behavior · doi:10.1089/cpb.2006.9.95 · Cited by 257 · see citing works
Brain Structure and Functional Connectivity Associated With Pornography Consumption
Kühn, S., & Gallinat, J. (2014) · JAMA Psychiatry · doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.93 · Cited by 255 · see citing works
Family factors in Internet addiction among Chinese youth: A review of English- and Chinese-language studies
Li, W., Garland, E. L., & Howard, M. O. (2013) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2013.11.004 · Cited by 246 · see citing works
The naked truth: Positive, arousing distractors impair rapid target perception
Most, S. B., Smith, S. D., Cooter, A., Levy, B. N., & Zald, D. H. (2007) · Cognition & Emotion · doi:10.1080/02699930600959340 · Cited by 241 · see citing works
Dopamine genes and reward dependence in adolescents with excessive Internet video game play
Han, D. H., Lee, Y. S., Yang, K. C., Kim, E. Y., Lyoo, I. K., & Renshaw, P. F. (2007) · Journal of Addiction Medicine · doi:10.1097/adm.0b013e31811f465f · Cited by 240 · cited 1× · see citing works
“[138] found Internet addicted subjects to have significantly more prevalent Taq1A1 alleles, low activity COMT alleles and higher reward-dependence scores relative to controls.”
Behavioral Addictions: An Overview
Karim, R., & Chaudhri, P. (2012) · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs · doi:10.1080/02791072.2012.662859 · Cited by 239 · cited 2× · see citing works
“For example, in their literature review of the epidemiology, neurobiology, and treatment options of “behavioral addictions” [9], Karim and Chaudhri indicated an increased legitimacy of”
Background
NOW vs LATER brain circuits: implications for obesity and addiction
Volkow, N. D., & Baler, R. D. (2015) · Trends in Neurosciences · doi:10.1016/j.tins.2015.04.002 · Cited by 237 · see citing works
A critical review of “Internet addiction” criteria with suggestions for the future
van Rooij, A. J., & Prause, N. (2014) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/jba.3.2014.4.1 · Cited by 237 · see citing works
A Targeted Review of the Neurobiology and Genetics of Behavioural Addictions: An Emerging Area of Research
Leeman, R. F., & Potenza, M. N. (2013) · The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/070674371305800503 · Cited by 235 · see citing works
Non-substance addictive behaviors in the context of DSM-5
Potenza, M. N. (2013) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.09.004 · Cited by 228 · see citing works
Internet Sex Addiction: Risk Factors, Stages of Development, and Treatment
Young, K. S. (2008) · American Behavioral Scientist · doi:10.1177/0002764208321339 · Cited by 227 · see citing works
Problematic Internet Use Among US Youth
Moreno, M. A. (2011) · Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine · doi:10.1001/archpediatrics.2011.58 · Cited by 222 · see citing works
Compulsive sexual behavior: A review of the literature
Derbyshire, K. L., & Grant, J. E. (2015) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.4.2015.003 · Cited by 219 · see citing works
&#x201C;Liking&#x201D; and &#x201C;Wanting&#x201D; Linked to Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS): Hypothesizing Differential Responsivity in Brain Reward Circuitry
Blum, K., Gardner, E., Oscar-Berman, M., & Gold, M. (2012) · Current Pharmaceutical Design · doi:10.2174/138161212798919110 · Cited by 218 · see citing works
Watching Pornographic Pictures on the Internet: Role of Sexual Arousal Ratings and Psychological–Psychiatric Symptoms for Using Internet Sex Sites Excessively
Brand, M., Laier, C., Pawlikowski, M., Schaechtle, U., Schöler, T., & Altstötter–Gleich, C. (2010) · Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2010.0222 · Cited by 212 · see citing works
Self-citation
Specific cue reactivity on computer game-related cues in excessive gamers.
Thalemann, R., Wölfling, K., & Grüsser, S. M. (2007) · Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.1037/0735-7044.121.3.614 · Cited by 210 · see citing works
Monetary Reward Processing in Obese Individuals With and Without Binge Eating Disorder
Balodis, I. M., Hedy Kober, A., Worhunsky, P. D., White, M. A., Stevens, M. C. G., Pearlson, G. D., Sinha, R., Grilo, C. M., & Potenza, M. N. (2013) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.01.014 · Cited by 210 · see citing works
Cognitive flexibility in internet addicts: fmri evidence from difficult-to-easy and easy-to-difficult switching situations.
Dong, G., Lin, X., Zhou, H., & Lu, Q. (2014) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.11.028 · Cited by 206 · see citing works
Examination of neural systems sub-serving facebook addiction
Turel, O., He, Q., Xue, G., Xiao, L., & Bechara, A. (2014) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.2466/18.pr0.115c31z8 · Cited by 206 · see citing works
Cybersex addiction: Experienced sexual arousal when watching pornography and not real-life sexual contacts makes the difference
Laier, C., Pawlikowski, M., Pekal, J., Schulte, F. P., & Brand, M. (2013) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/jba.2.2013.002 · Cited by 205 · see citing works
Self-citation
The neural basis of video gaming
Kühn, S., Romanowski, A., Schilling, C., Lorenz, R., Mörsen, C., Seiferth, N., Banaschewski, T., Barbot, A., Barker, G. J., Büchel, C., et al. (2011) · Translational Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/tp.2011.53 · Cited by 201 · see citing works
Supernormal Stimuli: How Primal Urges Overran Their Evolutionary Purpose
Barrett, D. (2011) · Southeastern Naturalist · doi:10.1656/058.010.0121 · Cited by 198 · see citing works
The genetics of addiction—a translational perspective
Arpana Agrawal, A., Verweij, K. J. H., Gillespie, N. A., Heath, A. C., Lessov‐Schlaggar, C. N., Martin, N. G., Nelson, E. C., Slutske, W. S., Whitfield, J. B., & Lynskey, M. T. (2012) · Translational Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/tp.2012.54 · Cited by 198 · see citing works
Ventral striatum activity when watching preferred pornographic pictures is correlated with symptoms of internet pornography addiction
Brand, M., Snagowski, J., Laier, C., & Maderwald, S. (2016) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.01.033 · Cited by 198 · see citing works
Self-citation
The prefrontal dysfunction in individuals with Internet gaming disorder: a meta-analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging studies
Meng, Y., Deng, W., Wang, H., Guo, W., & Li, T. (2015) · Addiction Biology · doi:10.1111/adb.12154 · Cited by 197 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Meng and colleagues [114] conducted the first literature review/meta-analysis combination of fMRI”
BackgroundResult
Is compulsive internet use related to sensitivity to reward and punishment, and impulsivity?
Meerkerk, G., van den Eijnden, R. J. J. M., Franken, I. H. A., & Garretsen, H. F. L. (2010) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2010.01.009 · Cited by 196 · see citing works
Addiction science: Uncovering neurobiological complexity
Volkow, N. D., & Baler, R. (2013) · Neuropharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.05.007 · Cited by 194 · see citing works
Clinical Implications and Methodological Challenges in the Study of the Neuropsychological Correlates of Cannabis, Stimulant, and Opioid Abuse
Verdéjo-Garcia, A., López-Torrecillas, F., Giménez, C. O., & Pérez-García, M. (2004) · Neuropsychology Review · doi:10.1023/b:nerv.0000026647.71528.83 · Cited by 193 · see citing works
Decreased functional connectivity in an executive control network is related to impaired executive function in Internet gaming disorder
Dong, G., Lin, X., & Potenza, M. N. (2014) · Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.10.012 · Cited by 193 · see citing works
Shared brain vulnerabilities open the way for nonsubstance addictions: Carving addiction at a new joint?
Frascella, J., Potenza, M. N., Brown, L. L., & Childress, A. R. (2010) · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05420.x · Cited by 191 · see citing works
FosB differentially modulates nucleus accumbens direct and indirect pathway function
Grueter, B. A., Robison, A. J., Neve, R. L., Nestler, E. J., & Malenka, R. C. (2013) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1221742110 · Cited by 191 · see citing works
Behavioral and Structural Responses to Chronic Cocaine Require a Feedforward Loop Involving ΔFosB and Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II in the Nucleus Accumbens Shell
Robison, A. J., Vialou, V., Mazei-Robison, M., Feng, J., Kourrich, S., Collins, M., Wee, S., Koob, G., Turecki, G., Neve, R., et al. (2013) · The Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.5192-12.2013 · Cited by 190 · see citing works
Imbalance in the sensitivity to different types of rewards in pathological gambling
Sescousse, G., Barbalat, G., Domenech, P., & Dreher, J. (2013) · Brain · doi:10.1093/brain/awt126 · Cited by 189 · see citing works
Depression like characteristics of 5HTTLPR polymorphism and temperament in excessive internet users
Lee, Y. S., Han, D. H., Yang, K. C., Daniels, M. A., Na, C., Kee, B. S., & Renshaw, P. F. (2008) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2007.10.020 · Cited by 188 · see citing works
Internet Gaming Disorder Treatment: A Review of Definitions of Diagnosis and Treatment Outcome
King, D. L., & Delfabbro, P. (2014) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.22097 · Cited by 187 · see citing works
Brain fMRI study of crave induced by cue pictures in online game addicts (male adolescents)
Sun, Y., Huang, Y., Seetohul, R. M., Xuemei, W., Ya, Z., Qian, L., Guo-qing, X., & Ye, S. (2012) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2012.05.005 · Cited by 186 · see citing works
The brain activations for both cue-induced gaming urge and smoking craving among subjects comorbid with Internet gaming addiction and nicotine dependence
Ko, C., Liu, G., Yen, J., Yen, C., Chen, C., & Lin, W. (2012) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.11.008 · Cited by 186 · see citing works
Cortical Thickness Abnormalities in Late Adolescence with Online Gaming Addiction
Yuan, K., Cheng, P., Dong, T., Bi, Y., Xing, L., Yu, D., Zhao, L., Dong, M., von Deneen, K. M., Liu, Y., et al. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0053055 · Cited by 185 · see citing works
Untitled work
(2012) · The turkish online journal of educational technology · Cited by 182 · see citing works
DSM-5 internet gaming disorder needs a unified approach to assessment
Griffiths, M. D., King, D. L., & Demetrovics, Z. (2014) · Neuropsychiatry · doi:10.2217/npy.13.82 · Cited by 181 · see citing works
Neurobiology of gambling behaviors
Potenza, M. N. (2013) · Current Opinion in Neurobiology · doi:10.1016/j.conb.2013.03.004 · Cited by 179 · see citing works
Relationship between Facebook use and problematic Internet use among college students
Kittinger, R., Correia, C. J., & Irons, J. G. (2012) · Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2010.0410 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
P02-232 - Social Network Addiction : a New Clinical Disorder?
Karaiskos, D., Tzavellas, E., Balta, G., & Paparrigopoulos, T. (2010) · European Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/s0924-9338(10)70846-4 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
Decreased Functional Brain Connectivity in Adolescents with Internet Addiction
Hong, S.-B., Zalesky, A., Cocchi, L., Fornito, A., Choi, E.-J., Kim, H.-H., Suh, J.-E., Kim, C.-D., Kim, J.-W., & Yi, S.-H. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057831 · Cited by 175 · see citing works
Altered brain activation during response inhibition and error processing in subjects with Internet gaming disorder: a functional magnetic imaging study
Ko, C., Hsieh, T.-J., Chen, C., Yen, C., Chen, C., Yen, J., Wang, P., & Liu, G. (2014) · European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience · doi:10.1007/s00406-013-0483-3 · Cited by 174 · see citing works
Error processing and response inhibition in excessive computer game players: an event‐related potential study
Littel, M., van den Berg, I., Luijten, M., van Rooij, A. J., Keemink, L. M., & Franken, I. (2012) · Addiction Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1369-1600.2012.00467.x · Cited by 171 · see citing works
Brain activation for response inhibition under gaming cue distraction in internet gaming disorder
Liu, G., Yen, J., Chen, C., Yen, C., Chen, C., Lin, W., & Ko, C. (2013) · The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.kjms.2013.08.005 · Cited by 169 · see citing works
New developments on the neurobiological and pharmaco-genetic mechanisms underlying internet and videogame addiction
Weinstein, A. M., & Lejoyeux, M. (2013) · American Journal on Addictions · doi:10.1111/ajad.12110 · Cited by 168 · see citing works
Changes in Cue-Induced, Prefrontal Cortex Activity with Video-Game Play
Han, D. H., Kim, Y., Lee, Y. S., Min, K. J., & Renshaw, P. F. (2010) · Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2009.0327 · Cited by 168 · see citing works
Male Internet addicts show impaired executive control ability: Evidence from a color-word Stroop task
Dong, G., Zhou, H., & Zhao, X. (2011) · Neuroscience Letters · doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2011.05.047 · Cited by 167 · see citing works
The Influence of ΔFosB in the Nucleus Accumbens on Natural Reward-Related Behavior
Wallace, D. L., Vialou, V., Rios, L., Carle-Florence, T. L., Chakravarty, S., Kumar, A., Graham, D. L., Green, T. A., Kirk, A., Iñiguez, S. D., et al. (2008) · Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.1531-08.2008 · Cited by 166 · see citing works
Reduced Striatal Dopamine Transporters in People with Internet Addiction Disorder
Hou, H., Jia, S., Hu, S., Fan, R., Sun, W., Sun, T., & Zhang, H. (2012) · Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology · doi:10.1155/2012/854524 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Brain activity and desire for Internet video game play
Han, D. H., Bolo, N., Daniels, M. A., Arenella, L., Lyoo, I. K., & Renshaw, P. F. (2011) · Comprehensive Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2010.04.004 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
The functions of nonsuicidal self-injury: Support for cognitive–affective regulation and opponent processes from a novel psychophysiological paradigm.
Franklin, J. C., Hessel, E. T., Aaron, R. V., Arthur, M. S., Heilbron, N., & Prinstein, M. J. (2010) · Journal of Abnormal Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0020896 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
Determinants of Internet Addiction among Adolescents: A Case-Control Study
Τσίτσικα, Ά., Critselis, E., Louizou, A., Janikian, M., Freskou, A., Marangou, E., Kormas, G., & Kafetzis, D. A. (2011) · The Scientific World JOURNAL · doi:10.1100/tsw.2011.85 · Cited by 162 · see citing works
Sex Differences in Visual Attention to Erotic and Non-Erotic Stimuli
Lykins, A. D., Meana, M., & Strauss, G. P. (2007) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-007-9208-x · Cited by 161 · see citing works
Altered Default Network Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Adolescents with Internet Gaming Addiction
Ding, W., Sun, J., Sun, Y., Zhou, Y., Li, L., Xu, J., & Du, Y. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0059902 · Cited by 161 · see citing works
An Overview of and Rationale for Changes Proposed for Pathological Gambling in DSM-5
Petry, N. M., Blanco, C., Auriacombe, M., Borges, G. L. G., Bucholz, K. K., Crowley, T. J., Grant, B. F., Hasin, D. S., & O’Brien, C. P. (2013) · Journal of Gambling Studies · doi:10.1007/s10899-013-9370-0 · Cited by 160 · see citing works
Validation of the Yale Food Addiction Scale among a weight-loss surgery population
Clark, S. M., & Saules, K. K. (2013) · Eating Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2013.01.002 · Cited by 160 · see citing works
What makes Internet addicts continue playing online even when faced by severe negative consequences? Possible explanations from an fMRI study
Dong, G., Hu, Y., Lin, X., & Lu, Q. (2013) · Biological Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2013.07.009 · Cited by 159 · see citing works
Gray matter and white matter abnormalities in online game addiction
Weng, C.-B., Qian, R.-B., Fu, X.-M., Lin, B., Han, X.-P., Niu, C.-S., & Wang, Y.-H. (2013) · European Journal of Radiology · doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2013.01.031 · Cited by 158 · see citing works
Core brain networks interactions and cognitive control in internet gaming disorder individuals in late adolescence/early adulthood
Yuan, K., Qin, W., Yu, D., Bi, Y., Xing, L., Jin, C., & Tian, J. (2015) · Brain Structure and Function · doi:10.1007/s00429-014-0982-7 · Cited by 157 · see citing works
The effect of family therapy on the changes in the severity of on-line game play and brain activity in adolescents with on-line game addiction
Han, D. H., Kim, S. M., Lee, Y. S., & Renshaw, P. F. (2012) · Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging · doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2012.02.011 · Cited by 157 · see citing works
Transcriptional Mechanisms of Drug Addiction
Nestler, E. J. (2012) · Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience · doi:10.9758/cpn.2012.10.3.136 · Cited by 156 · see citing works
Differential regional gray matter volumes in patients with on-line game addiction and professional gamers
Han, D. H., Lyoo, I. K., & Renshaw, P. F. (2012) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.01.004 · Cited by 156 · see citing works
Resting-state beta and gamma activity in Internet addiction
Choi, J., Park, S. M., Lee, J., Hwang, J. Y., Jung, H. Y., Choi, S., Kim, D., Oh, S., & Lee, J. (2013) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2013.06.007 · Cited by 153 · see citing works
An empirical evaluation of proposed changes for gambling diagnosis in the DSM-5
Petry, N., Blanco, C., Stinchfield, R., & Volberg, R. (2012) · Addiction · doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.04087.x · Cited by 152 · see citing works
Viewing sexual stimuli associated with greater sexual responsiveness, not erectile dysfunction
Prause, N., & Pfaus, J. (2015) · Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1002/sm2.58 · Cited by 150 · see citing works
The Addictive Brain: All Roads Lead to Dopamine
Blum, K., Chen, A. L., Giordano, J., Borsten, J., Chen, T. J. H., Hauser, M., Simpatico, T. A., Femino, J., Braverman, E. R., & Barh, D. (2012) · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs · doi:10.1080/02791072.2012.685407 · Cited by 150 · see citing works
Editor's Note: The Process Addictions and the New ASAM Definition of Addiction
Smith, D. E. (2012) · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs · doi:10.1080/02791072.2012.662105 · Cited by 147 · see citing works
Electrophysiological indices of biased cognitive processing of substance-related cues: A meta-analysis
Littel, M., Euser, A. S., Munafo, M. R., & Franken, I. H. A. (2012) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.05.001 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
Altered gray matter density and disrupted functional connectivity of the amygdala in adults with Internet gaming disorder
Ko, C., Hsieh, T.-J., Wang, P., Lin, W., Yen, C., Chen, C., & Yen, J. (2014) · Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.11.003 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
Sugar addiction
Ahmed, S. H., Guillem, K., & Vandaele, Y. (2013) · Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care · doi:10.1097/mco.0b013e328361c8b8 · Cited by 144 · see citing works
Internet Addiction Symptoms, Disordered Eating, and Body Image Avoidance
Rodgers, R. F., Melioli, T., Laconi, S., Bui, É., & Chabrol, H. (2013) · Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2012.1570 · Cited by 143 · see citing works
Fronto-striatal dysregulation in drug addiction and pathological gambling: consistent inconsistencies?
Limbrick-Oldfield, E. H., van Holst, R. J., & Clark, L. (2013) · NeuroImage: Clinical · doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2013.02.005 · Cited by 143 · see citing works
Diffusion tensor imaging reveals thalamus and posterior cingulate cortex abnormalities in internet gaming addicts
Dong, G., DeVito, E. E., Huang, J., & Du, X. (2012) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.05.015 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Higher Media Multi-Tasking Activity Is Associated with Smaller Gray-Matter Density in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex
Loh, K. K., & Kanai, R. (2014) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0106698 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
Attention and Emotional Responses to Sexual Stimuli and Their Relationship to Sexual Desire
Prause, N., Janssen, E., & Hetrick, W. P. (2007) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-007-9236-6 · Cited by 140 · see citing works
Abnormal gray matter and white matter volume in 'Internet gaming addicts'.
Lin, X., Dong, G., Wang, Q.-D., & Du, X.-X. (2015) · Addictive Behaviours · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2014.09.010 · Cited by 139 · see citing works
A Conceptual Review of Research on the Pathological Use of Computers, Video Games, and the Internet
Sim, T., Gentile, D. A., Bricolo, F., Serpelloni, G., & Gulamoydeen, F. (2012) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-011-9369-7 · Cited by 139 · see citing works
Neurophysiological features of Internet gaming disorder and alcohol use disorder: a resting-state EEG study
Son, K.-L., Choi, J.-S., Lee, J., Park, S. M., Lim, J.-A., Lee, J., Kim, S. N., Oh, S., Kim, D. J., & Kwon, J. S. (2015) · Translational Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/tp.2015.124 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Modulation of late positive potentials by sexual images in problem users and controls inconsistent with “porn addiction”
Prause, N., Steele, V. R., Staley, C., Sabatinelli, D., & Hajcak, G. (2015) · Biological Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2015.06.005 · Cited by 136 · see citing works
Reduced orbitofrontal cortical thickness in male adolescents with internet addiction
Hong, S.-B., Kim, J.-W., Choi, E.-J., Kim, H.-H., Suh, J.-E., Kim, C.-D., Klauser, P., Whittle, S., Yűcel, M., Pantelis, C., et al. (2013) · Behavioral and Brain Functions · doi:10.1186/1744-9081-9-11 · Cited by 136 · see citing works
Evaluation of an Internet addiction treatment program for Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong.
Shek, D. T. L., Tang, V. M. Y., & Lo, C.-P. (2009) · PubMed · Cited by 135 · see citing works
Brain correlates of response inhibition in I nternet gaming disorder
Chen, C., Huang, M., Yen, J., Chen, C., Liu, G., Yen, C., & Ko, C. (2014) · Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences · doi:10.1111/pcn.12224 · Cited by 135 · see citing works
The Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS) for adolescents and young adults: Scale development and refinement
Jelenchick, L. A., Eickhoff, J. C., Christakis, D., Brown, R. L., Zhang, C., Benson, M., & Moreno, M. A. (2014) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2014.01.035 · Cited by 135 · see citing works
Internet sex addiction: a review of empirical research
Griffiths, M. D. (2012) · Cited by 135 · see citing works
Malaysian Facebookers: Motives and addictive behaviours unraveled
Balakrishnan, V., & Shamim, A. (2013) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2013.01.010 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
Impaired risk evaluation in people with Internet gaming disorder: fMRI evidence from a probability discounting task
Lin, X., Zhou, H., Dong, G., & Du, X. (2014) · Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.08.016 · Cited by 133 · see citing works
Compulsive features in behavioural addictions: the case of pathological gambling
el‐Guebaly, N., Mudry, T., Zohar, J., Tavares, H., & Potenza, M. N. (2011) · Addiction · doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03546.x · Cited by 130 · see citing works
Are Internet use and video-game-playing addictive behaviors? Biological, clinical and public health implications for youths and adults.
Yau, Y. H. C., Crowley, M. J., Mayes, L. C., & Potenza, M. N. (2012) · PubMed · Cited by 127 · see citing works
Cue reactivity and its inhibition in pathological computer game players
Lorenz, R. C., Krüger, J., Neumann, B., Schott, B. H., Kaufmann, C., Heinz, A., & Wüstenberg, T. (2012) · Addiction Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1369-1600.2012.00491.x · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Self-Reported Differences on Measures of Executive Function and Hypersexual Behavior in a Patient and Community Sample of Men
Reid, R. C., Karim, R., McCrory, E., & Carpenter, B. N. (2010) · International Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.3109/00207450903165577 · Cited by 124 · see citing works
NEUROPLASTICITY IN THE MESOLIMBIC SYSTEM INDUCED BY NATURAL REWARD AND SUBSEQUENT REWARD ABSTINENCE
Pitchers, K., Balfour, M., Lehman, M., Richtand, N., Yu, L., & Coolen, L. (2009) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.09.036 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
Enhanced Attentional Bias towards Sexually Explicit Cues in Individuals with and without Compulsive Sexual Behaviours
Mechelmans, D. J., Irvine, M. A., Banca, P., Porter, L., Mitchell, S., Mole, T. B., Lapa, T. R., Harrison, N. A., Potenza, M. N., & Voon, V. (2014) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105476 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
Reward/punishment sensitivities among internet addicts: Implications for their addictive behaviors
Dong, G., Hu, Y., & Lin, X. (2013) · Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.07.007 · Cited by 117 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Categorized by technology, these brain studies comprise 44 fMRI studies [103,132,134,135,160–199],”
BackgroundMethod
Altered Regional Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Internet Game Overusers: <i>A <sup>18</sup>F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Study</i>
Park, H. S., Kim, S. H., Bang, S. A., Yoon, E. J., Cho, S. S., & Kim, S. E. (2010) · CNS Spectrums · doi:10.1017/s1092852900027437 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
Alterations in regional homogeneity of resting-state brain activity in internet gaming addicts
Dong, G., Huang, J., & Du, X. (2012) · Behavioral and Brain Functions · doi:10.1186/1744-9081-8-41 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Natural and Drug Rewards Act on Common Neural Plasticity Mechanisms with ΔFosB as a Key Mediator
Pitchers, K. K., Vialou, V., Nestler, E. J., Laviolette, S. R., Lehman, M. N., & Coolen, L. M. (2013) · Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.4881-12.2013 · Cited by 114 · see citing works
A Surprising Finding Related to Executive Control in a Patient Sample of Hypersexual Men
Reid, R. C., Garos, S., Carpenter, B. N., & Coleman, E. (2011) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02314.x · Cited by 114 · see citing works
Overlapping patterns of brain activation to food and cocaine cues in cocaine abusers
Tomasi, D. G., Wang, G., Wang, R., Caparelli, E. C., Logan, J., & Volkow, N. D. (2014) · Human Brain Mapping · doi:10.1002/hbm.22617 · Cited by 112 · see citing works
Activation of neural pathways associated with sexual arousal in non‐human primates
Ferris, C. F., Snowdon, C. T., King, J. A., Sullivan, J. M., Ziegler, T. E., Olson, D. P., SCHULTZ‐DARKEN, N. J., Tannenbaum, P. L., Ludwig, R., Wu, Z., et al. (2004) · Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging · doi:10.1002/jmri.10456 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
PET imaging reveals brain functional changes in internet gaming disorder
Tian, M., Chen, Q., Zhang, Y., Du, F., Hou, H., Chao, F., & Zhang, H. (2014) · European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging · doi:10.1007/s00259-014-2708-8 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Increased regional homogeneity in internet addiction disorder: a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging study.
Liu, J., Gao, X.-P., Osunde, I., Li, X., Zhou, S., Zheng, H., & Li, L. (2010) · PubMed · Cited by 108 · see citing works

Flagged first, then by citations

9 of the 319 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 1

[25]Tinbergen N. The Study of Instinct Clarendon Press Oxford, UK 1989

Sorted by citations

Adverse physiological and psychological effects of screen time on children and adolescents: literature review and case study.
Lissak, G. (2018) · Environmental Research · doi:10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.015 · Cited by 1,024 · see citing works
Online Porn Addiction: What We Know and What We Don’t—A Systematic Review
de Alarcón, R., de la Iglesia, J., Casado‐Espada, N. M., & Montejo, A. L. (2019) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm8010091 · Cited by 267 · see citing works
Ventral striatum activity when watching preferred pornographic pictures is correlated with symptoms of internet pornography addiction
Brand, M., Snagowski, J., Laier, C., & Maderwald, S. (2016) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.01.033 · Cited by 198 · see citing works
Self-citation
Is internet pornography causing sexual dysfunctions? A review with clinical reports
Park, B., Wilson, G., Berger, J., Christman, M., Reina, B., Bishop, F., Klam, W., & Doan, A. (2016) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs6030017 · Cited by 187 · see citing works
A Current Understanding of the Behavioral Neuroscience of Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder and Problematic Pornography Use
Stark, R. M., Klucken, T., Potenza, M. N., Brand, M., & Strahler, J. (2018) · Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports · doi:10.1007/s40473-018-0162-9 · Cited by 192 · see citing works
Self-citation
Unintended Side Effects of the Digital Transition: European Scientists’ Messages from a Proposition-Based Expert Round Table
Scholz, R. W., Bartelsman, E. J., Diefenbach, S., Franke, L., Grünwald, A., Helbing, D., Hill, R. C., Hilty, L. M., Höjer, M., Klauser, S., et al. (2018) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su10062001 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Problematic internet pornography use: The role of craving, desire thinking, and metacognition
Allen, A., Kannis‐Dymand, L., & Katsikitis, M. (2017) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.02.001 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Digital Addiction: Increased Loneliness, Anxiety, and Depression
Peper, E., & Harvey, R. (2018) · NeuroRegulation · doi:10.15540/nr.5.1.3 · Cited by 137 · see citing works
Visual Sexual Stimuli—Cue or Reward? A Perspective for Interpreting Brain Imaging Findings on Human Sexual Behaviors
Gola, M. K., Draps, M., Marchewka, A., & Sescousse, G. (2016) · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnhum.2016.00402 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Pornography use and loneliness: a bidirectional recursive model and pilot investigation
Butler, M. H., Pereyra, S. A., Draper, T. W., Leonhardt, N. D., & Skinner, K. B. (2018) · Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy · doi:10.1080/0092623x.2017.1321601 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
The assessment and treatment of adult heterosexual men with self-perceived problematic pornography use: A review
Sniewski, L., Farvid, P., & Carter, P. (2018) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.10.010 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
The Potential Associations of Pornography Use with Sexual Dysfunctions: An Integrative Literature Review of Observational Studies
Dwulit, A. D., & Rzymski, P. (2019) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm8070914 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
Prevalence, patterns and self-perceived effects of pornography consumption in polish university students: A cross-sectional study
Dwulit, A. D., & Rzymski, P. (2019) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph16101861 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
The Effect of Early Life Trauma on Compulsive Sexual Behavior Among Members of a 12-Step Group
Efrati, Y., & Gola, M. K. (2019) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.03.272 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
The Role of Religiosity in Adolescents' Compulsive Pornography Use: A Longitudinal Assessment
Kohut, T., & Štulhofer, A. (2018) · Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy · doi:10.1080/0092623x.2018.1466012 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Increase in the Prevalence of Online Pornography Use: Objective Data Analysis from the Period Between 2004 and 2016 in Poland
Lewczuk, K., Wójcik, A. D., & Gola, M. K. (2021) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-021-02090-w · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Pornography and Impersonal Sex
Tokunaga, R. S., Wright, P. J., & Roskos, J. E. (2018) · Human Communication Research · doi:10.1093/hcr/hqy014 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
From “online brains” to “online lives”: understanding the individualized impacts of Internet use across psychological, cognitive and social dimensions
Firth, J., Torous, J. B., López‐Gil, J. F., Linardon, J., Milton, A. C., Lambert, J. D., Smith, L., Jarić, I., Fabian, H., Vancampfort, D., et al. (2024) · World Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/wps.21188 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Child and Adolescent Pornography Exposure
Hornor, G. (2020) · Journal of Pediatric Health Care · doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2019.10.001 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Adolescents’ Online Pornography Exposure and Its Relationship to Sociodemographic and Psychopathological Correlates: A Cross-Sectional Study in Six European Countries
Andrie, E. K., Sakou, I. I., Tzavela, E. C., Richardson, C., & Τσίτσικα, Ά. (2021) · Children · doi:10.3390/children8100925 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Internet and Pornography Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Presumed Impact and What Can Be Done
Awan, H. A., Aamir, A., Diwan, M. N., Ullah, I., Pereira-Sánchez, V., Ramalho, R., Orsolini, L., de Filippis, R., Ojeahere, M. I., Ransing, R. S., et al. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.623508 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Mood changes after watching pornography on the Internet are linked to tendencies towards Internet-pornography-viewing disorder
Laier, C., & Brand, M. (2016) · Addictive Behaviors Reports · doi:10.1016/j.abrep.2016.11.003 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Self-citation
Compulsive sexual behavior: A twelve-step therapeutic approach
Efrati, Y., & Gola, M. (2018) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.7.2018.26 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Understanding and predicting profiles of compulsive sexual behavior among adolescents
Efrati, Y., & Gola, M. K. (2018) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.7.2018.100 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Facets of impulsivity and related aspects differentiate among recreational and unregulated use of Internet pornography
Antons, S., Müller, S. M., Wegmann, E., Trotzke, P., Schulte, M. M., & Brand, M. (2019) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.8.2019.22 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Self-citation
Treating Compulsive Sexual Behavior
Efrati, Y., & Gola, M. K. (2018) · Current Sexual Health Reports · doi:10.1007/s11930-018-0143-8 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Do Cyber Pornography Use Inventory-9 Scores Reflect Actual Compulsivity in Internet Pornography Use? Exploring the Role of Abstinence Effort
Fernandez, D. P., Tee, E. Y. J., & Fernandez, E. F. (2017) · Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity The Journal of Treatment and Prevention · doi:10.1080/10720162.2017.1344166 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Hooked on the metaverse? Exploring the prevalence of addiction to virtual reality applications
Barreda-Ángeles, M., & Hartmann, T. (2022) · Frontiers in Virtual Reality · doi:10.3389/frvir.2022.1031697 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
A clinical evaluation of the DSM-5 criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder and a pilot study on their applicability to further Internet-related disorders
Müller, K. W., Beutel, M. E., Dreier, M., & Wölfling, K. (2019) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.7.2018.140 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Prevalence and Determinants of Problematic Online Pornography Use in a Sample of German Women
Baranowski, A., Vogl, R., & Stark, R. M. (2019) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.05.010 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Understanding Differences in Problematic Pornography Use: Considerations for Gender and Sexual Orientation
Borgogna, N. C., Griffin, K. R., Grubbs, J. B., & Kraus, S. W. (2022) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.05.144 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
The relationship between frequent pornography consumption, behaviours, and sexual preoccupancy among male adolescents in Sweden
Donevan, M., & Mattebo, M. (2017) · Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare · doi:10.1016/j.srhc.2017.03.002 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Hidden in shame: Heterosexual men’s experiences of self-perceived problematic pornography use.
Sniewski, L., & Farvid, P. (2019) · Psychology of Men & Masculinity · doi:10.1037/men0000232 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Neurobiological basis of hypersexuality
Kühn, S., & Gallinat, J. (2016) · International Review of Neurobiology · doi:10.1016/bs.irn.2016.04.002 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Compensatory Usage of the Internet: The Case of Mukbang Watching on YouTube
Kırcaburun, K., Balta, S., Emirtekin, E., Tosuntaş, Ş. B., Demetrovics, Z., & Griffiths, M. D. (2021) · Psychiatry Investigation · doi:10.30773/pi.2019.0340 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Pleasure junkies all around! Why it matters and why ‘the arts’ might be the answer: a biopsychological perspective
Christensen, J. F. (2017) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.2016.2837 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Subjective Craving for Pornography and Associative Learning Predict Tendencies Towards Cybersex Addiction in a Sample of Regular Cybersex Users
Snagowski, J., Laier, C., Duka, T., & Brand, M. (2016) · Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity The Journal of Treatment and Prevention · doi:10.1080/10720162.2016.1151390 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Self-citation
Self-Perceived Problematic Use of Online Pornography Is Linked to Clinically Relevant Levels of Psychological Distress and Psychopathological Symptoms
Mennig, M., Tennie, S., & Barke, A. (2021) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-021-02101-w · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Problematic Internet Use Was Associated With Psychological Problems Among University Students During COVID-19 Outbreak in China
Xie, X., Zhu, K.-H., Xue, Q., Zhou, Y., Liu, Q., Wu, H., Wan, Z.-H., Zhang, J.-J., Meng, H., Zhu, B., et al. (2021) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.675380 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Closed Loop Deep Brain Stimulation for PTSD, Addiction, and Disorders of Affective Facial Interpretation: Review and Discussion of Potential Biomarkers and Stimulation Paradigms
Bina, R. W., & Langevin, J. (2018) · Frontiers in Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnins.2018.00300 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Internet Addiction Management: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Interventions and Modalities
Chadha, Y., Patil, R., Toshniwal, S. S., & Sinha, N. (2024) · Cureus · doi:10.7759/cureus.55466 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
VIDEO-TERMINAL DISSOCIATIVE TRANCE:TOWARD A PSYCHODYNAMIC UNDERSTANDING OF PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USE
Schimmenti, A., & Caretti, V. (2017) · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Lawless space theory for online child sexual exploitation material offending
Steel, C. M. S., Newman, E., O’Rourke, S., & Quayle, E. (2023) · Aggression and Violent Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.avb.2022.101809 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Effects of outcome on the covariance between risk level and brain activity in adolescents with internet gaming disorder
Qi, X., Yang, Y., Dai, S., Gao, P., Du, X., Zhang, Y., Du, G., Li, X., & Zhang, Q. (2016) · NeuroImage Clinical · doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2016.10.024 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Internet addiction in students from an educational institution in Southern Brazil: prevalence and associated factors
de Ávila, G. B., dos Santos, É. N., Jansen, K., & Barros, F. C. (2020) · Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy · doi:10.1590/2237-6089-2019-0098 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Exploring the Lived Experience of Problematic Users of Internet Pornography: A Qualitative Study
Palazzolo, F., & Bettman, C. (2020) · Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity The Journal of Treatment and Prevention · doi:10.1080/10720162.2020.1766610 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Pornography Problems Due to Moral Incongruence
Fisher, W. A., Montgomery-Graham, S., & Kohut, T. (2018) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-018-1291-7 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Computational models of behavioral addictions: State of the art and future directions
Kato, A., Shimomura, K., Ognibene, D., Parvaz, M. A., Berner, L. A., Morita, K., & Fiore, V. G. (2022) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107595 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept
Toates, F. (2022) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104872 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“…notion of sex addiction (SA) has garnered considerable support and provided explanatory insight (Birchard and Benfield, 2018; Firoozikhojastehfar et al., 2021; Garcia and Thibaut, 2010; Kasl, 1989; Love et al., 2015; Park et al., 2016; Schneider, 1991, 1994; Sunderwirth et al., 1996; Wilson, 2017).”
Background
Problematic Pornography Use, Mental Health, and Suicidality among Young Adults
Altin, M., Leo, D. D., Tribbia, N., Ronconi, L., & Cipolletta, S. (2024) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph21091228 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Dampak Paparan Pornografi Pada Anak Usia Dini
Anggraini, T., & Maulidya, E. N. (2020) · Al-Athfaal Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini · doi:10.24042/ajipaud.v3i1.6546 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Desire thinking and craving as predictors of problematic Internet pornography use in women and men
Marino, C., Melodia, F., Pivetta, E., Mansueto, G., Palmieri, S., Caselli, G., Canale, N., Vieno, A., Conti, F., & Spada, M. M. (2022) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107469 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Decision-Making in Gambling Disorder, Problematic Pornography Use, and Binge-Eating Disorder: Similarities and Differences
Mestre‐Bach, G., Fernández‐Aranda, F., Jiménez‐Múrcia, S., & Potenza, M. N. (2020) · Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports · doi:10.1007/s40473-020-00212-7 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Sexual incentive delay in the scanner: Sexual cue and reward processing, and links to problematic porn consumption and sexual motivation
Markert, C., Klein, S., Strahler, J., Kruse, O., & Stark, R. M. (2021) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.2021.00018 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Does Consumer Promiscuity Influence Purchase Intent? The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Change Seeking, and Pride
van Esch, P., & Cui, Y. G. (2021) · Journal of the Association for Consumer Research · doi:10.1086/714503 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
The Psychological Impacts of Internet Pornography Addiction on Adolescents
Setyawati, R., Hartini, N., & Suryanto, S. (2020) · Humaniora · doi:10.21512/humaniora.v11i3.6682 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
The Role of Inhibitory Control Mechanisms in the Regulation of Sexual Behavior
Rodríguez‐Nieto, G., Emmerling, F., Dewitte, M. D., Sack, A. T., & Schuhmann, T. (2019) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-018-1283-7 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Exploring the clinical profile of problematic pornography use
Ince, C., Yücel, M., Albertella, L., & Fontenelle, L. F. (2020) · CNS Spectrums · doi:10.1017/s1092852920001686 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Clarifying and extending our understanding of problematic pornography use through descriptions of the lived experience
Ince, C., Fontenelle, L. F., Carter, A., Albertella, L., Tiego, J., Chamberlain, S. R., & Rotaru, K. (2023) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-45459-8 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Prevalence of Behavioral Addictions and Their Relationship With Stress and Anxiety Among Medical Students in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Hakami, A. Y., Ahmad, R. G., Alsharif, A., Ashqar, A., AlHarbi, F. A., Sayes, M., Bafail, A., Alqrni, A., & Khan, M. A. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.727798 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Relationship Between Atypical Sexual Fantasies, Behavior, and Pornography Consumption
Stefanska, E. B., Longpré, N., & Rogerson, H. (2022) · International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology · doi:10.1177/0306624x221086569 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Biopsychosocial Determinants of Problematic Pornography Use: A Systematic Review
Dalooyi, S. I. S., Sharbaf, H. A., Abdekhodaei, M. S., & Chamanabad, A. G. (2023) · Addiction and Health · doi:10.34172/ahj.2023.1395 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Studying internet addiction profile of university students with latent class analysis
Hussaın, İ., Çakır, Ö., & Özdemir, B. (2020) · Education and Information Technologies · doi:10.1007/s10639-020-10203-6 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Pornography Addiction: An Exploration of the Association Between Use, Perceived Addiction, Erectile Dysfunction, Premature (Early) Ejaculation, and Sexual Satisfaction in Males Aged 18-44 Years
Whelan, G., & Brown, J. (2021) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.06.014 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Sex Education, Public Opinion, and Pornography: A Conditional Process Analysis
Wright, P. J. (2018) · Journal of Health Communication · doi:10.1080/10810730.2018.1472316 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Problematic pornography use and novel patterns of escalating use: A cross-sectional network analysis with two independent samples
Ince, C., Albertella, L., Liu, C., Tiego, J., Fontenelle, L. F., Chamberlain, S. R., Yücel, M., & Rotaru, K. (2024) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108048 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) and problematic pornography use (PPU): A comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and expert-informed narrative review with suggested future directions
Ince, C., Antons, S., Ashton, S., Borgogna, N. C., Brand, M., Briken, P., Castro‐Calvo, J., Chen, L., Coleman, E., Efrati, Y., et al. (2026) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.2025.00337 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Self-citation
Association of Cyberbullying and Internet Use Disorder
Floros, G. D., & Mylona, I. (2022) · Current Addiction Reports · doi:10.1007/s40429-022-00440-9 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Neurobiology of Sex and Pornography Addictions: A Primer
Jha, A., & Banerjee, D. (2022) · Journal of Psychosexual Health · doi:10.1177/26318318221116042 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Physiological, Psychosocial and Substance Abuse Effects of Pornography Addiction: A Narrative Review
Qadri, H. M., Waheed, A., Munawar, A., Saeed, H., Abdullah, S., Munawar, T., Luqman, M. S., Saffi, J., Ahmad, M. A., & Babar, M. S. (2023) · Cureus · doi:10.7759/cureus.33703 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Loneliness and problematic pornography Use: What is the role of emotion regulation and interaction with content Creators?
Vescan, M., Flack, M., & Caudwell, K. M. (2024) · Addictive Behaviors Reports · doi:10.1016/j.abrep.2024.100550 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Internet Addiction
Talis, G. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-84834-7_7 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Decision making and executive functions in problematic pornography use
Müller, S. M., & Antons, S. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1191297 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
COMPLEXITY-BASED ANALYSIS OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE BRAIN RESPONSE OF PORN-ADDICTED AND HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS UNDER DIFFERENT FUNCTION TASKS
Pakniyat, N., Janarthanan, R., Karthikeyan, A., Penhaker, M., Krejcar, O., & NAMAZI, H. (2024) · Fractals · doi:10.1142/s0218348x24500907 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Separating Models Obscures the Scientific Underpinnings of Sex Addiction as a Disorder
Carnes, S., & Love, T. (2017) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-017-1072-8 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Self-citation
Erectile Dysfunction: A Review of Comprehensive Treatment Options for Optimal Outcome
Retzler, K. (2019) · Journal of Restorative Medicine · doi:10.14200/jrm.2019.0104 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Self-perceived Problematic Pornography Use: An Integrative Model from a Research Domain Criteria and Ecological Perspective
Alves, C. D. B., & Cavalhieri, K. E. (2019) · Sexuality & Culture · doi:10.1007/s12119-019-09680-w · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Effects of retrieval-extinction training on internet gaming disorder
Zhao, Q., Zhang, Y., Wang, M., Ren, J., Chen, Y., Chen, X., Wei, Z., Sun, J., & Zhang, X. (2022) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.2022.00006 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Profiles of Pornography Use Based on Addictive Mechanisms and Psychopathological Features
Hernandez-Mora, M., Bonnet, P., & Varescon, I. (2023) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-023-01087-x · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Clinical Practice Related to the Treatment of Pain. Influence on the Professional Activity and the Doctor-Patient Relationship
Fernández, J. M., Cenador, M. B. G., López‐Millán, J. M., Méndez, J. A. J., & Sánchez-Ledesma, M. J. (2017) · Journal of Medical Systems · doi:10.1007/s10916-017-0724-5 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Profiling of pornography addiction among children using EEG signals: A systematic literature review
Kang, X., Handayani, D. O. D., Chong, P. P., & Acharya, U. R. (2020) · Computers in Biology and Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.compbiomed.2020.103970 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Introduction - Becoming Sexual in Digital Times: The Risks and Harms of Online Pornography
Lemma, A. (2021) · The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child · doi:10.1080/00797308.2020.1859283 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Cybersex addiction: An overview of the development and treatment of a newly emerging disorder
Agastya, I. G. N., Siste, K., Nasrun, M. W. S., & Kusumadewi, I. (2020) · Medical Journal of Indonesia · doi:10.13181/mji.rev.203464 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
The mediating effect of emotional schemas in the relationship between online gaming addiction and life satisfaction
Makas, S., & Koç, M. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-024-84482-1 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Problematic consumption of online pornography during the COVID-19 pandemic: clinical recommendations
Marchi, N. C., Fara, L. S., Gross, L. D. S., Ornell, F. R., Diehl, A., & Kessler, F. H. P. (2021) · Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy · doi:10.47626/2237-6089-2020-0090 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Impacts of Sexual Addiction on Intimate Female Partners—The State of the Art
Seyed Aghamiri, F., Luetz, J. M., & Hills, K. (2022) · Sexual Health & Compulsivity · doi:10.1080/26929953.2022.2050862 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Emotional processing deficits in individuals with problematic pornography use: Unpleasant bias and pleasant blunting
Wang, J., & Li, H. (2023) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.2023.00058 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Psychosocial intervention for sexual addiction
Rao, T. S., George, M., Maheshwari, S., Chandran, S., Rao, S., & Manohar, S. (2018) · Indian Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.4103/psychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_38_18 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Nalmefene in the Treatment of Internet Pornography Addiction – A Case Report and Review of Literature
Yazdi, K., Fuchs, I., & Gerstgrasser, N. W. (2020) · Journal of Addiction Medicine · doi:10.1097/adm.0000000000000602 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Effects of a 7-Day Pornography Abstinence Period on Withdrawal-Related Symptoms in Regular Pornography Users: A Randomized Controlled Study
Fernandez, D. P., Kuss, D. J., Justice, L. V., Fernandez, E. F., & Griffiths, M. D. (2023) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-022-02519-w · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Love Is Not an Emotion
Burunat, E. (2016) · Psychology · doi:10.4236/psych.2016.714173 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Addressing Problematic Pornography Use in Adolescent/Young Adult Males: A Literature Review and Recommendations for Family Therapists
Gibbons, I., Bernards, J. C., Bean, R. A., Young, B. C., & Wolfgramm, M. R. (2020) · American Journal of Family Therapy · doi:10.1080/01926187.2020.1848481 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Sexual Addiction and Christian Education
Aghamiri, F. S., & Luetz, J. M. (2021) · Innovating Christian Education Research · doi:10.1007/978-981-15-8856-3_24 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
The pornography use and its addiction among emerging adults in Malaysia: Perceived realism as a mediator
Tan, S. A., Ng, S. H. L., Hoo, J. J. Y., Gan, S. W., Nainee, S., Yap, C. C., Lee, L. K., Zaharim, N. M., & Goh, Y. S. (2022) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0268724 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Making Sense of Jiese: An Interview Study of Members from a Porn-Free Self-Help Forum in China
Zou, W., Zhang, X., & He, J. (2022) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-022-02456-8 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Two subtypes of compulsive sexual behavior disorder
Golder, S., Markert, C., Psarros, R., Discher, J. P., Walter, B., & Stark, R. M. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1248900 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
The Social Representations of Pornography Consumers Among Individuals in Romantic Relationships: Exploring the Roles of Gender, Relationship Satisfaction, and Sexual Satisfaction in a Romanian Sample
Huțul, T., Huțul, A., & Holman, A. C. (2024) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-024-03025-x · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Bağ(ım)lı Bireyden Yorgun Bireye: Dijital İletişim Çağında Sosyal Ağ Yorgunluğu
Tuncer, R. Z., & Levendeli, Ş. T. (2023) · SELÇUK ÜNİVERSİTESİ İLETİŞİM FAKÜLTESİ AKADEMİK DERGİSİ · doi:10.18094/josc.1296833 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
What's Next in Love and Sex
Hatfield, E. C., Rapson, R. L., & Purvis, J. (2020) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190647162.001.0001 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Cyber-Syndrome: Concept, Theoretical Characterization, and Control Mechanism
Shi, F., Ning, H., Chen, L., & Dhelim, S. (2023) · Tsinghua Science & Technology · doi:10.26599/tst.2023.9010046 · Cited by 9 · see citing works

3rd International Conference on Behavioral Addictions March 14–16, 2016 Geneva, Switzerland
Sariyska, R., Lachmann, B., Reuter, M., Bey, K., Sha, P., Li, M., Y-F., C., W-Y., L., Zhu, Y.-K., C-B., L., et al. (2016) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/jba.5.2016.suppl.1 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Abstracts of the 3rd International Conference on Behavioral Addictions
Demetrovics, Z. (2016) · Repository of the Academy's Library (Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences)
Neural Mechanisms of the Reward System and the Cognitive Control System in Internet Addicts
Dossi, N., & Pesce, R. C. (2023) · Science Insights · doi:10.15354/si.23.re255 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
An Overview of Internet Pornography Addiction
Brahma, A., & Brahma, M. C. (2018) · Eastern Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.5005/ejp-20-1-3 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Internet and Gaming Addiction: A Systematic Literature Review of Neuroimaging Studies
Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2012) · Brain Sciences · doi:10.3390/brainsci2030347 · Cited by 437 · see citing works

Authors: Love, T., Laier, C., Brand, M., Hatch, L., & Hajela, R.
Affiliations: Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health, Ardmore, PA 19003, USA
University of Duisburg-Essen (DE)
Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DE)
Private Practice, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, USA
American Society of Addiction Medicine (US)
Corresponding author: Love, Todd
ORCID: Love, Todd
Brand, Matthias
Venue: Behavioral Sciences
Publisher: MDPI AG
Published: 2015-09-18
Volume: 5
Issue: 3
Pages: 388-433
ISSN: 2076-328X (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.3390/bs5030388
PMC: PMC4600144
OpenAlex: W1910854322
Cited by: 262
References: 319
Citations by year: 2026: 22 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 11
FWCI: 2.07
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: gold
dx.doi.org
Licence: cc-by
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (vor)
Locations: Behavioral Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
DuEPublico (University of Duisburg-Essen) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
Keywords: internet addiction, internet gaming disorder, behavioral addiction, substance addiction, reward systems, addiction models, neurobiology of addiction

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

Neuroscience of Internet Pornography Addiction: A Review and Update

Abstract

Integrity signals

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Self-check

Cites

Cited by

Related

Record

About these checks