I just read a comment on another blogger’s post about the neuroscience of sex addiction. The commenter just couldn’t understand why an addict’s behavior could be rationalized by neuroscience when so many other people have little problem, even when exposed to sex, drugs, or whatnot.

It seems simple to me, but I’ve been doing research on this stuff for almost ten years (not including my own time out there using). I want to try this analogy on you and hear what you have to say:

We’re all used to people speaking different languages. We think nothing of the fact that another person can make sounds that mean nothing to us but yet seem to mean so much to others who understand. Our brains are quite the same. People look a lot alike, but small changes in brain structure -through genetics or exposure- can lead to some very significant changes in actual behavior.Our brains all speak slightly different languages.

To me, this makes complete sense, but I’d love to get an idea of what others out there think. For more reading on how our brains differ, check out other AllAboutAddiction posts.

Also, check out this video lecture (it’s long) on the neuroscience of emotions: