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Dopamine -

Dopamine is a chemical neurotransmitter in the brain that tells us when we're feeling pleasure as a result of an enjoyable behavior or activity.

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Dopamine -

We are hardwired to enjoy certain behaviors that are essential for survival, such as eating and procreating.

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Dopamine - Dopamine is part of a reward system in the brain that encourages us to continue these pleasurable activities that help us survive. Unfortunately, this reward system can be activated by more destructive stimuli as well.

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Drugs and alcohol -

Drugs and alcohol release a rush of dopamine five to 10 times higher than the normal level. We are conditioned to seek that rush of dopamine again, leading us down the path of addiction.

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Addiction - Dopamine itself is not addictive, but it focuses us on the experience that caused the rush of pleasure and leaves us with strong memories.

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Addiction -

Most drugs target this reward system in the brain. They cause an unsustainable rush of pleasure that keeps users coming back for more.

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Addiction -

When the brain is overwhelmed by this flood, it reacts by producing lower levels of dopamine. This means that the drug user needs more and more to feel the same reaction.

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Low dopamine levels - Some people naturally have lower levels of dopamine. This chemical deficiency makes them more likely to develop an addiction.

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Low dopamine levels -

The dopamine deficient may seek out harmful activities that release more of this chemical in order to feel good, such as drug or alcohol abuse.

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Alcohol -

Alcohol is as addictive and as dangerous as most illicit drugs.

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Alcohol -

It's likely that alcohol would be made illegal just like other harmful drugs if it was invented in modern times. However, it has become a societal norm due to generations of consumption and most cultures accept it.

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Alcohol -

Research shows that some people may be more likely to develop an alcohol addiction based on the way their reward system responds when they drink.

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Alcohol - Certain individuals release an unusually large amount of dopamine when they drink alcohol compared to the average person.

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Gambling -

Unfortunately, we can be addicted to more than chemicals. Gambling is one of the longest established behavioral addictions.

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Gambling - Unlike drug and alcohol abuse, no substance is ingested. However, the brain's response to gambling is the same to that of drugs or alcohol.

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Gambling - The thrill experienced when gambling triggers the reward system in the brain. Similar to alcohol, some people have stronger reactions than others and are therefore more likely to develop an addiction.

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Gambling -

Gambling addiction also has the same ability to change the brain, causing it to reduce dopamine production.

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Gambling - This means that both substance addictions and behavioral addictions (like gambling) can lead to degradation of the brain's receptors, which is linked to Parkinson's disease.

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Behavorial addictions - So, if we can become addicted to gambling, what other activities could we be addicted to?

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Gaming -

Gaming is the second behavioral addiction to make it onto the WHO list, after gambling.

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Gaming -

It can cause the same alterations of the user's brain chemistry, and leads to cravings and withdrawals when the addicted person can't play.

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Modern addiction -

Many scientists consider availability to be at the root of modern addiction. For example, primitive humans needed to find sugar for their survival.

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Modern addiction - Today, we have the same reward system in our brains that encourages us to seek out sugar, but it's readily available in highly-concentrated forms such as high-fructose corn syrup.

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Technology -

Technology companies are well aware of the reward system and use it to ensure we keep using their products.

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Technology - Positive social interactions trigger the reward system in the brain, as community was essential to our survival in pre-historic times.

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Technology -

We recognize positive interactions through smiling faces, laughter, and supportive comments from our social circle.

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Technology - Companies like Facebook have replicated these through emojis and likes. Research shows that they cause a similar reaction in the brain.

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Technology -

Social media companies make their money through advertising, so their goal is to entice us to spend as much time as possible on their platform viewing ads. Notifications are one way they try to keep you connected.

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Technology -

Apps like Instagram sometimes store notifications about 'likes' on your photos so they can tell you about a larger number of 'likes' in one notification. This will cause an even bigger dopamine rush in the user, encouraging a dependence similar to addiction.

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Rehabilitation - The UK's first public rehab clinic for Internet addiction opened in 2019. Technology addiction clinics have been active in India, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and Singapore for years.

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Rehabilitation -

Countries in the Asia-Pacific region are leading the world in the treatment of addiction to smart phones and social media. This part of the world has the highest level of smart phone users.

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Progress -

Understanding of addiction and awareness of the risks are growing, but realistically we are all still constantly exposed to addictive stimuli. Question your habits, take time to disconnect, and look after yourself.

Read on to learn more about how the Internet has changed our lives.

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