When we think of addiction, the first things that come to mind are alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes. Unfortunately it's not just chemicals we need to worry about anymore. The modern world has been flooded with behavioral addictions like gambling, video games, and food. If we pay attention, most of us will notice a frequent compulsion to check our phones or scroll through social media. It's arguable that this behavior is similar to an alcohol addiction, and it's all because of the dopamine reward system in our brains.
These habits distract us from our goals and make it incredibly difficult to focus on tasks that don't provide instant gratification. Click through this gallery to learn more about the chemical process behind these unhealthy distractions, and why a dopamine detox might be the solution.