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See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
1 / 33 Fotos
Dopamine
- We are hardwired to enjoy certain behaviors that are essential for survival, such as eating and procreating.
© Shutterstock
2 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
3 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
4 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
5 / 33 Fotos
Addiction
- Most drugs target this reward system in the brain. They cause an unsustainable rush of pleasure that keeps users coming back for more.
© Getty Images
6 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
7 / 33 Fotos
Low dopamine levels - Some people naturally have lower levels of dopamine. This chemical deficiency makes them more likely to develop an addiction.
© iStock
8 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
9 / 33 Fotos
Alcohol
- Alcohol is as addictive and as dangerous as most illicit drugs.
© Shutterstock
10 / 33 Fotos
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.
© iStock
11 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
12 / 33 Fotos
Alcohol - Certain individuals release an unusually large amount of dopamine when they drink alcohol compared to the average person.
© Shutterstock
13 / 33 Fotos
Gambling
- Unfortunately, we can be addicted to more than chemicals. Gambling is one of the longest established behavioral addictions.
© Shutterstock
14 / 33 Fotos
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.
© iStock
15 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
16 / 33 Fotos
Gambling
- Gambling addiction also has the same ability to change the brain, causing it to reduce dopamine production.
© iStock
17 / 33 Fotos
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.
© iStock
18 / 33 Fotos
Behavorial addictions - So, if we can become addicted to gambling, what other activities could we be addicted to?
© Shutterstock
19 / 33 Fotos
Gaming
- Gaming is the second behavioral addiction to make it onto the WHO list, after gambling.
© Shutterstock
20 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Reuters
21 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
22 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
23 / 33 Fotos
Technology
- Technology companies are well aware of the reward system and use it to ensure we keep using their products.
© Shutterstock
24 / 33 Fotos
Technology - Positive social interactions trigger the reward system in the brain, as community was essential to our survival in pre-historic times.
© iStock
25 / 33 Fotos
Technology
- We recognize positive interactions through smiling faces, laughter, and supportive comments from our social circle.
© Shutterstock
26 / 33 Fotos
Technology - Companies like Facebook have replicated these through emojis and likes. Research shows that they cause a similar reaction in the brain.
© Shutterstock
27 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
28 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
29 / 33 Fotos
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.
© iStock
30 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Getty Images
31 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
32 / 33 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
1 / 33 Fotos
Dopamine
- We are hardwired to enjoy certain behaviors that are essential for survival, such as eating and procreating.
© Shutterstock
2 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
3 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
4 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
5 / 33 Fotos
Addiction
- Most drugs target this reward system in the brain. They cause an unsustainable rush of pleasure that keeps users coming back for more.
© Getty Images
6 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
7 / 33 Fotos
Low dopamine levels - Some people naturally have lower levels of dopamine. This chemical deficiency makes them more likely to develop an addiction.
© iStock
8 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
9 / 33 Fotos
Alcohol
- Alcohol is as addictive and as dangerous as most illicit drugs.
© Shutterstock
10 / 33 Fotos
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.
© iStock
11 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
12 / 33 Fotos
Alcohol - Certain individuals release an unusually large amount of dopamine when they drink alcohol compared to the average person.
© Shutterstock
13 / 33 Fotos
Gambling
- Unfortunately, we can be addicted to more than chemicals. Gambling is one of the longest established behavioral addictions.
© Shutterstock
14 / 33 Fotos
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.
© iStock
15 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
16 / 33 Fotos
Gambling
- Gambling addiction also has the same ability to change the brain, causing it to reduce dopamine production.
© iStock
17 / 33 Fotos
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.
© iStock
18 / 33 Fotos
Behavorial addictions - So, if we can become addicted to gambling, what other activities could we be addicted to?
© Shutterstock
19 / 33 Fotos
Gaming
- Gaming is the second behavioral addiction to make it onto the WHO list, after gambling.
© Shutterstock
20 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Reuters
21 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
22 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
23 / 33 Fotos
Technology
- Technology companies are well aware of the reward system and use it to ensure we keep using their products.
© Shutterstock
24 / 33 Fotos
Technology - Positive social interactions trigger the reward system in the brain, as community was essential to our survival in pre-historic times.
© iStock
25 / 33 Fotos
Technology
- We recognize positive interactions through smiling faces, laughter, and supportive comments from our social circle.
© Shutterstock
26 / 33 Fotos
Technology - Companies like Facebook have replicated these through emojis and likes. Research shows that they cause a similar reaction in the brain.
© Shutterstock
27 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
28 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
29 / 33 Fotos
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.
© iStock
30 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Getty Images
31 / 33 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
32 / 33 Fotos
Dopamine: do we all have addictions?
The reward system in our brains that keeps us coming back for more
© Shutterstock
Great progress has been made in the study of addiction in recent decades. It's now clear that addiction is not simply an unsavory affliction reserved for a small minority. In fact, it affects us all. The human brain encourages us to repeat behaviors that are necessary for our survival, but nowadays there's a huge range of non-essential stimuli being thrown into the mix. Gaming, drugs, gambling, and smart phones are just some of the modern pleasures we're becoming addicted to. Click through the following gallery to learn more about the different kinds of addictions, and see if you find yourself on the list.
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