consort to some estimates , 3 - 6 pct of the universe experiencehypersexuality , delimit by a compulsion to do sexual act , loss of control condition in relation to sex or risky intimate habit . However , even the existence of the condition is controversial . How different are those thing , after all , from the teen stereotype ? Might hypersexuality really just be a ready to hand excuse for those catch cheating on their cooperator or a demonstration of other mental term ?

New evidence supports those who argue there is more to it than that , with masses diagnosed with hypersexuality found to regulate DNA regions associated with oxytocin activity in the brainiac differently from the rest of the population .

" We lay out to enquire the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms behind hypersexual disorderliness so we could specify whether it has any hallmarks that make it distinct from other health issues , ” Uppsala University PhD studentAdrian Boströmsaid in astatement . Boström and colleagues measured the methylation of DNA from 60 masses who had been diagnose with hypersexual disorder and 33 controls . Methylation can stop or reduce the output of proteins coded for by genes , reducing the event those genes have on the body .

InEpigeneticsBoström describes finding sure genes that were regulated statistically differently in the two population studied . The source then looked at the gene grammatical construction of microRNA associated with those genes .

MicroRNA-4456 was find to be importantly under - expressed in the hypersexual patients compared to the controller grouping . It is known that microRNA4456 targets cistron that govern oxytocin in the brain . The researcher ask , although they have yet to confirm , the rock-bottom microRNA activity would lead to higher production of brain oxytocin .

Although oxytocin ’s position as the “ beloved hormone ” is often impersonate ingrossly oversimplifiedways , there is little doubtfulness it has a major effect on thebehavior of mammals , humans include .

A further comparison with people being treated for intoxicant addiction establish the same genes were also under - methylated , offering support to the whimsy of hypersexuality as an habituation .

Boström acknowledges the methylation of the relevant discussion section of DNA is only 2.6 percent lower in the hypersexual player than the control mathematical group , but take similar subtle differences are implicated in conditions such as schizophrenia .

Hypersexuality diagnosing iscontroversialbecause in a society that so powerfully mark enthusiasm for sex , particularly among adult female , there is a peril of pathologizing the great unwashed with healthy but above average libido . On the other hand , it is generally assume certain medication have side effects of impulsive and subsequently regretted sexual activeness . Established mental health conditions , such as bipolar disorderliness and injuries to sure region of the head are similarly associated with demeanour that may justify the diagnosis .

Blame for hypersexuality has a foresightful and rather sticky chronicle . John Harvey Kellogg , founder of the cereal chain , blamed it onsugar economic consumption , and that was a comparatively scientific account compared to beliefs in demonic possession .