Glenn started new treatment for Parkinson's. Then came the obsessive sexual thoughts

When Glenn Peterson began taking a higher dosage of medication to treat his Parkinson's disease symptoms, he was unaware of the consequences it would bring. He developed bad habits and obsessive thoughts, including constant thoughts of sex. The 73-year-old was diagnosed with Parkinson's eight years ago and was taking a dopamine precursor medication.

He was later prescribed a dopamine agonist to enhance treatment effectiveness. The combination of these drugs helped combat the motor symptoms of Parkinson's, which is a progressive brain disorder that damages dopamine-producing neurons. However, research indicates that agonist drugs can lead to the development of compulsive and addictive behaviors.

Glenn's wife, Robyn, noticed the change when he began getting up in the middle of the night for extended periods, engaging in activities like playing games, gambling, or browsing porn sites on his iPad. Glenn admitted to his wife that he couldn't understand why his mind seemed to betray him. After revealing the extent of his compulsive behaviors, they consulted his neurologist, who recommended reducing his medication dosage, which ultimately put an end to the compulsive behaviors.

Dopamine, a crucial neurotransmitter in the brain, influences reward, motivation, memory, and movement. While dopamine itself is not addictive, substances, behaviors, or activities that increase dopamine release can lead to addiction. Some studies suggest that about 15 to 20 percent of people with Parkinson's experience impulse control disorders when taking dopamine agonists.

Dopamine can also affect risk-taking behaviors, making some individuals more prone to sensation-seeking activities. Marley Nolan-Duncan, a Gomeroi man from regional NSW, pursued dopamine through risky activities like jumping off bridges and riding motorbikes, which later escalated to illegal behavior such as stealing cars and breaking into houses.

He found his dopamine rush in skydiving, which he has continued for the past 15 years. However, a broken leg sidelined him for five months, leading to mental health issues and a period of alcohol and painkiller abuse. Realizing he never wanted to return to those situations, Marley now seeks dopamine through slower means, such as playing with his children.