Why Sex is Addictive?

1 The powerful chemicals released

Many powerful feel good chemicals are released during sex. Those chemicals can motivate the person to seek the same experience over and over again. See why sex sometimes decreases after marriage.

2 Sexual abuse or trauma

According to a study done in the USA, 80% of those who suffered from sex addiction have been through some kind of trauma or sexual abuse during their childhood.

3 Sensation-seeking behavior

Those who display sensation-seeking behavior are more at risk of developing sex addiction. The sensation-seeking behavior can be connected to a person's genes.

4 Impulsive and emotional dysregulation problems

Those who have impulsive behavior and emotional dysregulation problems are at a higher risk of developing sex addiction. Sex addicts might thus also suffer from other kinds of addiction.

5 Higher levels of sex hormones

Higher levels of sex hormones such as testosterone or estrogen can increase sexual desire and make the person more likely to become a sex addict. See why men think about sex all the time.

6 Depression causes sex addiction

Depression can be one of the factors contributing to sex addiction. In such a case, sex is used as a mood regulation method. See why do people get depressed.

7 Performance anxiety

Performance anxiety can motivate some people to become sex addicts. In such a case, the person becomes addicted to sex as a means of compensation.

8 Emotional rejection

When a person suffers from emotional rejection, they might seek other ways to compensate for their emotional needs. In such a case, that person might become a sex addict, as the person believes that getting sex represents getting emotional gratification from others.

9 Biochemical abnormality

Sex addiction is not fully understood but it is believed that biochemical abnormality or other brain changes increase the risk. See why some people are addicted to porn.

10 Dysfunctional families

Research has shown that sex addicts usually come from dysfunctional families. Sex addicts usually describe their parents as rigid or uncaring.

11 Family history of addiction

According to one study, 80% of sex addicts reported some time of addiction that was present in their family members.

12 Brain damage

Some disorders that can cause damage to some parts of the brain, such as dementia, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease, can cause sex addiction.