The Potential of N-acetyl Cysteine in Behavioral Addictions and Related Compulsive and Impulsive Behaviors and Disorders: a Scoping Review.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose of review

Behavioral addictions (also termed disorders due to addictive behaviors) contain impulsive and compulsive features and have been shown to involve glutamate dysregulation. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a well-tolerated cysteine pro-drug and antioxidant, may reduce addictive behaviors by restoring glutamate homeostasis. The current review details and discusses the use of NAC in behavioral addictions and related impulsive and compulsive behaviors, including gambling disorder, problematic use of the internet, problematic video gaming, compulsive sexual behavior, problematic shopping/buying, problematic stealing, repetitive self-injurious behavior, and binge eating disorder.

Recent findings

Preliminary results have indicated the usefulness of NAC in gambling disorder,

SUBMITTER: Greenberg NR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10868722 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature