Cheese? Why in the world are we talking about cheese?
THE DEAL WITH CHEESE
I learned an interesting thing about cheese this week. Cheese contains an unusual protein called casein.
I won’t get too scientific here but, evidently, normal protein molecules are made up of individual “beads” of amino acids. These beads are usually strung together like a necklace. During digestion, however, the individual beads break apart and are absorbed into the bloodstream. They are then used by our body to build things like skin and muscle cells and organs.
NOT ALL PROTEINS ARE “NORMAL”
Even though Casein is also a protein, it breaks apart very differently. Some of its amino acids tend to stay in links of 4 to 7 beads. These odd protein fragments are called casomorphins.
Instead of being absorbed like other proteins, these configurations attach to the very same brain receptors as morphine . . . and heroin and other OPIATES.
We know that opioids are highly addictive. But it is not actually the substance that is so addictive, it’s because they create a sense of calm and pleasure by triggering the brain to release super high levels of dopamine. And, so do the casomorphins from cheese.
It’s no wonder we crave cheese’s gooey melty deliciousness. The dopamine “hit” it creates makes us feel good—real good. It also makes cheese addictive in the truest sense of the word.
WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH SEX?
Cheese and opioids aren’t the only things that activate the release of abnormal amounts of dopamine. Brain scans of men experiencing orgasm look very similar to those of a person shooting heroin. Sex excites the very same part of the brain.
Like the drugs, sex is not really addictive in itself. It’s the chemical changes that take place in the brain during sexual arousal and release that are the true addictive components.
BUT WAIT—THERE’S EVEN MORE TO THE STORY!
Our body actually produces four chemicals that are responsible for our happiness. Dopamine is one of them. The others are serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins.
Sex causes an increased production of oxytocin—often referred to as the “bonding hormone.” In fact, when God talks about a couple becoming “one,” this is the “glue” that helps that happen. It’s also the same hormone that is responsible for the strong invisible bond that exists between a mother and her child.
In reasonably healthy people oxytocin enhances intimacy and trust and strengthens their relationships.
THE REAL BASIS FOR SEXUAL ADDICTION
We have long believed that sexual addiction should be renamed “an intimacy disorder.” Due to situations that occurred early in their lives, sexual strugglers typically have a hard time trusting and getting really close to people. Many say they feel like they are on the outside of life looking in.
Because of this, most sex addicts are plagued with intense emotional pain, shame, guilt, and depression. It isn’t the simple pleasures of sex that they really want.
What they crave is the calm, feel-good components of dopamine; the sense of belonging and normalcy that oxytocin creates; and the pain-killing features of the endorphins the brain also releases during sex.
Since all three of these chemicals are highly addictive. it’s no wonder addicts have such a hard time “just saying no.”
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