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(https://www.psypost.org/quantitative-tolerance-emerges-as-key-factor-in-problematic-pornography-use/) Quantitative tolerance emerges as key factor in problematic pornography use
Dec 16th 2024, 08:00

New research published in (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108048) Addictive Behaviors examines how certain behaviors are associated with problematic pornography use. The study highlights that habits like binge-watching, escalating content, and switching between videos are linked to difficulties in controlling pornography use, with quantitative tolerance—a need for increased viewing time—playing a central role.
Problematic pornography use refers to a pattern of consuming pornography that becomes difficult to control despite recognizing its negative consequences. Individuals experiencing problematic pornography use may spend excessive amounts of time viewing pornography, struggle to reduce their consumption even when they want to, or use pornography as a way to cope with emotional distress. The phenomenon of problematic pornography use is distinct from casual or recreational consumption because it involves a loss of control and a sense of compulsion.
The researchers conducted the new study to explore how specific patterns of pornography consumption might contribute to problematic pornography use. While the broader topic of internet pornography use has been studied, little is known about the role of intensified consumption behaviors—such as prolonged sessions, frequent switching between content, or escalating to more extreme genres—in the development or maintenance of problematic pornography use.
For their study, the researchers recruited two independent samples of adult male pornography users from the United States and the United Kingdom. Participants were required to have consumed pornography at least once in the past year. A total of 1,356 participants from the the United States and 944 participants from the United Kingdom completed an anonymous online survey.
The survey measured several key aspects. Problematic pornography use was assessed using a standardized tool that evaluated behaviors like difficulty reducing use, frequent urges, and reliance on pornography to manage emotions. Participants also answered questions about escalating use, such as spending more time on pornography to achieve satisfaction (referred to as quantitative tolerance) and seeking more extreme content over time (qualitative tolerance). Additionally, the researchers examined behaviors like binge-watching pornography for prolonged sessions, frequently switching between videos or tabs (tab-jumping), and delaying climax to extend viewing (edging).
The results showed that certain intensified pornography use behaviors were closely linked to problematic pornography use, with quantitative tolerance emerging as a central factor. Needing to spend increasing amounts of time viewing pornography to achieve satisfaction was strongly connected to both other intensified consumption patterns and core features of problematic pornography use, such as difficulty resisting urges and using pornography to cope with emotional distress. This suggests that escalating time requirements may play a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of problematic pornography use.
The researchers also found that behaviors like binge-watching and tab-jumping were interconnected with tolerance, highlighting how individuals who engage in multiple intensified consumption patterns may be at greater risk of developing problematic pornography use. For instance, those who frequently switched between videos or extended sessions by delaying climax appeared more likely to experience diminished control over their viewing habits. Additionally, binge-watching sessions were directly linked to difficulty resisting urges and using pornography as an emotional coping mechanism, further emphasizing their relevance to problematic usage.
The study sheds new light on the relationship between intensified pornography use and problematic pornography use. But it is not without limitations. One key issue is its cross-sectional design, which captures data at a single point in time. This means that the study cannot establish causal relationships, leaving it unclear whether intensified behaviors lead to problematic pornography use or if problematic use drives these behaviors.
Future research could address this limitation by employing longitudinal designs to better understand how intensified pornography use behaviors and problematic pornography use develop and influence each other over time. Clinical research could also investigate how interventions targeting behaviors like tolerance or binge-watching influence outcomes for individuals struggling with problematic pornography use, providing practical insights for treatment.
The study, “(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306460324000972) Problematic pornography use and novel patterns of escalating use: A cross-sectional network analysis with two independent samples,” was authored by Campbell Ince, Lucy Albertella, Chang Liu, Jeggan Tiego, Leonardo F. Fontenelle, Samuel R. Chamberlain, Murat Yücel, and Kristian Rotaru.

(https://www.psypost.org/science-has-uncovered-the-role-of-light-in-mood-changes-and-mental-disorders/) Science has uncovered the role of light in mood changes and mental disorders
Dec 16th 2024, 06:00

It’s spring and you’ve probably noticed a change in when the Sun rises and sets. But have you also noticed a change in your mood?
We’ve known for a while that light plays a role in our wellbeing. Many of us tend to feel more positive when (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32925966/) spring returns.
But for others, big changes in light, such as at the start of spring, can be tough. And for many, bright light at night can be a problem. Here’s what’s going on.
An ancient rhythm of light and mood
In an (https://theconversation.com/how-light-tells-you-when-to-sleep-focus-and-poo-236780) earlier article in our series, we learned that light shining on the back of the eye sends “(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25451984/) timing signals” to the brain and the master clock of the circadian system. This clock coordinates our daily (circadian) rhythms.
“Clock genes” also regulate circadian rhythms. These genes control the timing of when many other genes (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31557726/) turn on and off during the 24-hour, light-dark cycle.
But how is this all linked with our mood and mental health?
Circadian rhythms can be disrupted. This can happen if there are problems with how the body clock develops or functions, or if someone is routinely exposed to bright light at night.
When circadian disruption happens, it increases the risk of certain (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33689801/) mental disorders. These include (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763422000744) bipolar disorder and (https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1741-7015-11-79) atypical depression (a type of depression when someone is extra sleepy and has problems with their energy and metabolism).
Light on the brain
Light may also affect circuits (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35687680/) in the brain that control mood, as (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23151476/) animal studies show.
There’s evidence this happens in humans. A brain-imaging study showed exposure to bright light in the daytime while inside the scanner (https://www.cell.com/fulltext/S0960-9822(06)01758-1) changed the activity of a brain region involved in mood and alertness.
Another brain-imaging study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22111663/) found a link between daily exposure to sunlight and how the neurotransmitter (or chemical messenger) serotonin binds to receptors in the brain. We see alterations in serotonin binding in several (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33651238/) mental disorders, including depression.
What happens when the seasons change?
Light can also affect mood and mental health as the seasons change. During autumn and winter, symptoms such as low mood and fatigue can develop. But often, once spring and summer come round, these symptoms go away. This is called “seasonality” or, when severe, “(https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/1201/p668.html) seasonal affective disorder”.
What is less well known is that for other people, the change to spring and summer (when there is more light) can also come with a change in mood and mental health. Some people experience increases in energy and the drive to be active. This is positive for some but can be seriously destabilising for others. This too is an example of seasonality.
Most people (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0239033) aren’t very seasonal. But for those who are, seasonality has a (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8540777/) genetic component. Relatives of people with seasonal affective disorder are more likely to also experience seasonality.
Seasonality is also more common in conditions such as (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25063960/) bipolar disorder. For many people with such conditions, the shift into shorter day-lengths during winter can trigger a depressive episode.
Counterintuitively, the longer day-lengths in spring and summer can also destabilise people with bipolar disorder into an “(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10947388/) activated” state where energy and activity are in overdrive, and symptoms are harder to manage. So, seasonality can be serious.
Alexis Hutcheon, who experiences seasonality and helped write this article, told us:
[…] the season change is like preparing for battle – I never know what’s coming, and I rarely come out unscathed. I’ve experienced both hypomanic and depressive episodes triggered by the season change, but regardless of whether I’m on the ‘up’ or the ‘down’, the one constant is that I can’t sleep. To manage, I try to stick to a strict routine, tweak medication, maximise my exposure to light, and always stay tuned in to those subtle shifts in mood. It’s a time of heightened awareness and trying to stay one step ahead.
So what’s going on in the brain?
One explanation for what’s going on in the brain when mental health fluctuates with the change in seasons relates to the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.
Serotonin helps regulate mood and is the target of (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0706743716659417) many (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38185236/) antidepressants. There is some evidence of seasonal changes in serotonin levels, potentially being lower (https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/139/5/1605/2468755?login=false) in (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(02)11737-5/abstract?cc=y%3D) winter.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation and movement, and is also a target of some (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0706743716659417) antidepressants. Levels of dopamine may also change with the (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-023-02365-x) seasons.
But the neuroscience of seasonality is a developing area and more research (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-023-02365-x) is needed to know what’s going on in the brain.
How about bright light at night?
We know exposure to bright light at night (for instance, if someone is up all night) can disturb someone’s circadian rhythms.
This type of circadian rhythm disturbance is associated with higher rates of symptoms (https://www.nature.com/articles/s44220-023-00135-8) including self-harm, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and lower wellbeing. It is also associated with higher rates of (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32639562/) mental disorders, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (or PTSD).
Why is this? Bright light at night confuses and destabilises the body clock. It disrupts the rhythmic regulation of mood, cognition, appetite, metabolism and (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38214638/) many (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34419186/) other (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33689801/) mental (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36661342/) processes.
But people differ hugely in their (https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1901824116) sensitivity to light. While still a hypothesis, people who are most sensitive to light may be the most vulnerable to body clock disturbances caused by bright light at night, which then leads to a higher risk of mental health problems.
Where to from here?
Learning about light will help people better manage their mental health conditions.
By encouraging people to better align their lives to the light-dark cycle (to stabilise their body clock) we may also help prevent conditions such as (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34419186/) depression and (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763422000744) bipolar disorder emerging in the first place.
Healthy light behaviours – avoiding light at night and seeking light during the day – are good for everyone. But they might be especially helpful for people (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763422000744) at risk of mental health problems. These include people with a family history of mental health problems or people who are (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38185236/) night owls (late sleepers and late risers), who are more at risk of body clock disturbances.

Alexis Hutcheon has lived experience of a mental health condition and helped write this article.

This article is republished from (https://theconversation.com) The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the (https://theconversation.com/how-light-can-shift-your-mood-and-mental-health-231282) original article.

(https://www.psypost.org/circadian-preferences-and-running-performance-late-night-tendencies-linked-to-slower-marathon-times/) Circadian preferences and running performance: Late-night tendencies linked to slower marathon times
Dec 15th 2024, 20:00

New research published in the (https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.14375) Journal of Sleep Research has found connections between marathon runners’ circadian preferences, sleep inertia, and race performance. Runners with an evening-oriented circadian preference, or “eveningness,” were found to have slower marathon completion times compared to their morning-oriented counterparts. Additionally, the severity of sleep inertia—difficulty transitioning to full alertness after waking—showed a weaker but noticeable relationship with slower race times.
Marathon running has surged in popularity, prompting researchers to explore factors that might influence performance. While variables such as age, sex, training intensity, and nutrition have been studied extensively, the potential impact of circadian rhythms and sleep inertia remains underexplored.
“Despite growing recognition of the influential role that the circadian system has on athletic performance, the relationship between circadian characteristics and running performance is understudied and poorly understood,” said study author (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessecooksleep/) Jesse D. Cook, a postdoctoral fellow at (https://www.psychiatry.wisc.edu/staff/cook-phd-jesse/) the University of Wisconsin-Madison and host of the (https://sleepresearchsociety.org/career-advancement/srs-podcasts/) Sleep Research Society Podcast.
“Since marathons typically begin mid-morning, circadian preference, or the preferred timing of one’s sleep and wake patterns that often aligns with biological chronotype, seemingly could be a relevant factor for race day performance due to a multitude of factors.”
“Sleep inertia, or the transitional period between sleep and wake that associates with impaired physical, cognitive, and psychological functioning, is a normal experience that commonly dissipates within 30 minutes upon awakening; yet, some individuals experience prolonged, persistent sleep inertia,” Cook explained. “Given that the start times of marathons can occur soon after regular wake times for participants, particularly those with eveningness characteristics, it seems plausible that the severity of this characteristic could also be relevant to race day performance.”
“Importantly, both circadian preference and sleep inertia are modifiable characteristics, in most people. As such, not only could these results help identify runners who may be at a disadvantage for race day marathon performance, but they also steer towards potential strategies that may help mitigate the disadvantage. For example, chronotherapy (e.g., strategically timed light exposure of sufficient magnitude and duration) can be useful for shifting circadian characteristics and potentially combatting sleep inertia. However, I caution individuals from implementing specific strategies and protocols without consultation and oversight from a specialized provider.”
The study analyzed data from 936 runners who participated in the 2016 London Marathon. Participants were recruited during the event registration process and completed surveys that assessed circadian preference, sleep inertia, and other lifestyle factors. Circadian preference was measured using a single-item question about whether individuals identified as morning or evening types, with responses ranging from “definitely morning” to “definitely evening.” Sleep inertia was assessed through self-reported levels of alertness within the first 30 minutes after waking, categorized from “very alert” to “not at all alert.”
The researchers found that runners who identified as “definitely morning” types completed marathons faster on average than those with an evening orientation. The data showed a linear trend, with increasing eveningness linked to progressively slower completion times. This difference was not trivial—runners with a “definitely morning” preference finished approximately 13.9 minutes faster than “definitely evening” runners.
Sleep inertia, though less impactful than circadian preference, also appeared to influence performance. Runners with more severe sleep inertia tended to have slower completion times. While the effect of sleep inertia alone was weaker and only approached statistical significance in adjusted models, it still points to the possibility that waking grogginess could hinder race-day readiness, particularly when paired with the physical demands of a marathon.
“Our results suggest that marathon runners with more preference for eveningness may be more likely to have slower marathon times, generally,” Cook told PsyPost. “This may be due to a mismatch between the event timing (i.e., mid-morning) and timing of circadian biology key to physical performance, which would be more delayed in eveningness characteristics. This could also reflect other differences between circadian preference groups, such as when and how much they typically train as well as psychological and sleep health characteristics.”
The researchers collected additional data such as age, sex, and sleep-related habits (e.g., device use before bedtime, caffeine consumption) to control for confounding variables. But as with all research, there are some caveats. While the results suggest that eveningness and sleep inertia are associated with slower marathon completion times, it remains unclear whether these factors directly impair performance or whether other variables, such as training habits or psychological traits, mediate these relationships. Longitudinal studies could help clarify causal pathways and examine whether interventions targeting these factors lead to measurable improvements in performance.
“It is critical to note that these results should not be interpreted as an indication that eveningness is inherently a bad thing, per se,” Cook added. “Unfortunately, those with eveningness circadian characteristics can experience negative stereotyping and social stigmatization, with society propelling messages that such individuals are lazy, undisciplined, etc. This is not only sad, but inaccurate, ignoring the role of innate biological chronotype in shaping circadian preference, and the influence of society’s structure that caters more towards morning and neutral preferences.”
“Ultimately, for most recreational runners, shifting circadian characteristics to enhance race day performance may be too extreme, impractical, and – potentially – unhelpful. Rather, it is important to just be mindful that these factors could influence race day performance, and it may be useful to explore implementing training runs at times that more closely align with race start time, if possible.”
The study, “(https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsr.14375) Influence of circadian preference, sleep inertia and their interaction on marathon completion time: A retrospective, cross-sectional investigation of a large mass-participation city marathon,” was authored by Matthew K. P. Gratton, Jonathan Charest, James Lickel, Amy M. Bender, Penny Werthner, Charles R. Pedlar, Courtney Kipps, Doug Lawson, Charles H. Samuels, and Jesse Cook.

(https://www.psypost.org/new-study-provides-first-objective-evidence-of-cannabinols-potential-to-improve-sleep/) New study provides first objective evidence of cannabinol’s potential to improve sleep
Dec 15th 2024, 19:19

Cannabinol, a lesser-known compound found in the cannabis plant, might hold promise as a sleep aid, according to new research published in the journal (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-024-02018-7) Neuropsychopharmacology. Researchers found that cannabinol improved sleep quality in rats by increasing the duration of deep sleep and stabilizing overall sleep patterns.
Cannabinol, or CBN, is one of many naturally occurring chemicals in cannabis, though it is present in much smaller amounts than compounds like delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD). CBN forms as THC ages and degrades, leading to its nickname, the “sleepy cannabinoid.” Despite the growing popularity of CBN products marketed as sleep aids, scientific evidence supporting these claims has been limited.
The research team, led by Professor Jonathon Arnold, sought to test these claims rigorously. Their study aimed to objectively assess CBN’s effects on sleep by analyzing changes in sleep patterns and brain activity in rats.
“For decades, cannabis folklore has suggested that aged cannabis makes consumers sleepy via the build-up of CBN, however there was no convincing evidence for this,” said Arnold, the director of Preclinical Research at the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics and the University of Sydney Pharmacy School.
The researchers conducted a series of experiments to investigate the effects of cannabinol (CBN) on sleep patterns in rats. To ensure precise and objective measurement of sleep-related parameters, they used wireless telemetry probes surgically implanted in the animals.
These probes allowed continuous monitoring of brain activity, muscle tone, and other physiological indicators of sleep. The rats were housed in a controlled environment with a 12-hour light/dark cycle, and the experiments were conducted during their active (dark) phase to mimic conditions of reduced sleep pressure, similar to insomnia in humans.
The researchers administered different doses of purified CBN intraperitoneally to the rats, ranging from low to high concentrations. They also included a widely used sleep aid, zolpidem, as a comparison. During the experimental sessions, the rats’ sleep architecture was analyzed, focusing on non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, sleep onset latency, total sleep time, and wakefulness.
The team also performed pharmacokinetic analyses to measure CBN and its metabolites in the rats’ brains and bloodstreams, aiming to uncover the compound’s mechanism of action. Additionally, a repeated-dosing experiment was conducted to evaluate whether tolerance to CBN’s effects would develop over 15 days of daily administration.
The results showed that CBN significantly increased total sleep time in rats, particularly by enhancing NREM sleep. This effect, however, was delayed, appearing several hours after administration, in contrast to zolpidem, which acted almost immediately. The increase in NREM sleep was marked by longer sleep bouts and fewer interruptions, indicating that CBN stabilized sleep architecture.
However, CBN exhibited a biphasic effect on REM sleep, initially suppressing it before eventually increasing REM duration at lower doses. This delayed onset of CBN’s effects suggested a distinct mechanism compared to zolpidem, which primarily induces rapid sedation.
Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that CBN’s primary metabolite, 11-hydroxy-cannabinol (11-OH-CBN), achieved high concentrations in the brain and exhibited significant activity at cannabinoid receptors, potentially contributing to the observed sleep effects. This metabolite was found to have stronger receptor activity than CBN itself, suggesting that CBN’s impact on sleep may be mediated by its conversion into active metabolites within the body.
In the repeated-dosing experiment, CBN continued to improve total sleep time initially, but some tolerance to its effects was observed over time. Despite this, certain benefits, such as longer uninterrupted NREM bouts, appeared to persist, indicating that the compound could maintain some of its sleep-stabilizing effects even with prolonged use.
“Our study provides the first objective evidence that CBN increases sleep, at least in rats, by modifying the architecture of sleep in a beneficial way,” Arnold said.
While these findings are promising, several limitations must be acknowledged. The researchers also noted that the doses of CBN tested were significantly higher than those typically found in consumer products or obtained through cannabis consumption. Further research is needed to determine whether lower doses are effective and safe for humans. The study also did not explore the potential withdrawal effects of discontinuing CBN after prolonged use, an important consideration given the association of cannabis withdrawal with sleep disturbances.
“This research provides the first objective evidence that CBN increases sleep and reveals that its active metabolite, 11-OH-CBN, might play a significant role,” said Arnold. “While our findings are confined to animal models for now, they open the door to more detailed studies in humans.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-024-02018-7) A sleepy cannabis constituent: cannabinol and its active metabolite influence sleep architecture in rats,” was authored by Jonathon C. Arnold, Cassandra V. Occelli Hanbury-Brown, Lyndsey L. Anderson, Miguel A. Bedoya-Pérez, Michael Udoh, Laura A. Sharman, Joel S. Raymond, Peter T. Doohan, Adam Ametovski, and Iain S. McGregor.

Forwarded by:
Michael Reeder LCPC
Baltimore, MD

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