Compulsive smartphone usage equated to drug dependency
Smartphones, the modern-day vices, are causing as much harm as alcohol, nicotine, and drugs, according to South Korean scientists. And just like these substances, it's addictive.
In a study published in Nature Mental Health, over 2000 young people had their brains scanned with MRI, and the results were startling. Those with smartphone addiction showed increased activity in the pleasure and addiction-forming area of the brain, while the impulse control and decision-making area was reduced. The same brain deviations were observed in those dependent on drugs, psychotropic substances, gamblers, and even gambling addicts.
The unfortunate consequence of smartphone addiction includes emotional burnout, loss of interest in daily life, concentration difficulties, sleep disorders, decreased physical activity, and increased anxiety and irritability when separated from the phone. It's not a surprise that many can't let go, considering the numerous pleasures a smartphone offers - social media, games, communication with friends and family.
These findings emphasize the need to be mindful of our smartphone usage. Here are some tips from a psychologist for better digital health:
- Don't start your day with your smartphone. Savor your food and coffee without checking notifications first thing in the morning.
- Go to lunch without your phone. It will help you savor your food and might even help with portion control.
- Turn off pop-up notifications at work to reduce distractions. Check messages according to a schedule, say, at the end of each hour.
- Keep your phone away 1.5 hours before bedtime to give your brain and eyes some rest.
Interestingly, another study found that smartphones actually help exercise the brains of the elderly.
In case your teenager is hiding their phone from you, it's not necessarily a cause for concern. Clinical psychologist Tatiana Metel'eva explains that teenagers often hide their phones because they may contain inappropriate language or private conversations. However, if you notice significant changes in your teenager's behavior, it might be time for a heart-to-heart talk.
Excessive smartphone use can lead to long-term effects on brain structure and function, including reduced attention spans, impaired memory formation, impaired interoceptive awareness, elevated heart rates, and stress hormone increases. Prolonged addiction can also disrupt sleep quality and cognitive decline, particularly in tasks requiring sustained focus or complex decision-making.
Mitigating excessive smartphone use is essential for preserving long-term brain health. Physically active and mindfulness practices have shown promise for reducing dependency and improving self-regulation.
- The study documented in 'Nature Mental Health' revealed that just like substances such as drugs and nicotine, smartphones are addictive, showing similar disturbances in the brain.
- The study published in 'Nature Mental Health' found that those with smartphone addiction had increased activity in the pleasure and addiction-forming area of the brain, while the impulse control and decision-making area was reduced - similar findings to those dependent on drugs, psychotropic substances, gamblers, and gambling addicts.
- Health-and-wellness advocates emphasize the need to be mindful of smartphone usage, suggesting tips such as avoiding starting the day with the phone, turning off pop-up notifications at work, and keeping the phone away 1.5 hours before bedtime for better digital health.
- Technology like smartphones, while offering numerous pleasures such as social media, games, and communication, can lead to long-term effects on brain structure and function, including sleep disorders, increased anxiety, and reduced attention spans.
- In the realm of mental health, excessive smartphone use can result in emotional burnout, loss of interest in daily life, and cognitive decline, particularly in tasks requiring sustained focus or complex decision-making.
- Surprisingly, another study discovered that smartphones can actually exercise the brains of the elderly, providing potential benefits for brain health in the elderly population.
