Sexual experience, behavioral addictions and drug addictions share common mechanisms and result in similar brain changes. Research is starting to reveal some of this overlap. Here is a sampling of work in this area.
The overlap helps explain how sex can have such profound impact on perception and priorities. Because these changes happen subconsciously, we are generally unaware of their (sometimes profound) effects on our perception, priorities and choices.
Humans
Natural Rewards, Neuroplasticity, and Non-Drug Addictions
Compulsive Sexual Behavior in Humans and Preclinical Models
Animals
Amphetamine reward in the monogamous prairie vole
Changes in gene expression within the nucleus accumbens and striatum following sexual experience
Delta JunD overexpression in the nucleus accumbens prevents sexual reward in female Syrian hamsters
DeltaFosB Overexpression In The Nucleus Accumbens Enhances Sexual Reward In Female Syrian Hamsters
DeltaFosB in The Nucleus Accumbens is Critical For Reinforcing Effects of Sexual Reward
DeltaFosB: a sustained molecular switch for addiction
Methamphetamine acts on subpopulations of neurons regulating sexual behavior in male rats
Natural and Drug Rewards Act on Common Neural Plasticity Mechanisms with ΔFosB as a Key Mediator
Natural Rewards, Neuroplasticity, and Non-Drug Addictions
Neuroplasticity in the Mesolimbic System Induced by Natural Reward and Subsequent Reward Abstinence
Sexual experience in female rodents: cellular mechanisms and functional consequences
The Influence of ΔFosB in the Nucleus Accumbens on Natural Reward Related Behavior
Brain Activation during Human Male Ejaculation
Conditioned preferences induced by sex and drugs: a comparison of the neural bases