The crazy world of football players has fallen into a "crazy gambling abyss"! Experts reveal that addiction is like "mobile game tuition": it will only get deeper and deeper
The end of this year coincides with the World Cup, which happens every four years. Although most people watch the World Cup out of love for the game, there are also people who hope to get windfalls through “gambling.” As the saying goes, “Small gambling makes you happy, but big gambling hurts your health.” For gambling addicts, gambling may indeed have a negative impact on the brain.
Crazy football players “can’t stop playing lottery”, beware of “gambling addiction” which will hurt your wallet
Previous research published in the Journal of Gambling Research reported that when people engage in gambling, the brain begins to secrete the “reward hormone” dopamine. This neurotransmitter makes good feelings stronger when people win a jackpot or win a bet, thereby producing emotions of excitement and joy. This makes gamblers want to experience repeated pleasures and fall into the so-called “dark flow”.
According to the research team, undercurrent is a state of mental trance in which one is so focused on the next bet or score that one is no longer aware of what is going on around him. As the brain becomes accustomed to the secretion of dopamine and develops a tolerance, it becomes increasingly difficult for the gambler to obtain the same feeling of satisfaction. The brain’s reward mechanism is overused, leading to gambling more frequently or chasing larger bets, what is known as “addictive behavior.” At this time, gambling addicts may become trapped in high debts, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and even thoughts of suicide.
Why do certain ethnic groups develop gambling problems? Studies have pointed out that clinically diagnosed gambling addiction, compulsive gambling and other conditions do not have certain causes. However, people who are more likely to fall into gambling addiction may be related to factors such as genetics, mental health, growth environment and upbringing, stress or personality differences. Anyone can become addicted to gambling, so it is crucial to get medical help early.
Does gambling addiction affect brain structure? “Brain Area 2” may be seriously damaged and its function weakened
Previous research published in the Journal of Neuroscience stated that gambling is like drug addiction. If addicts try to quit gambling, they may also experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety or depression. Study author Luke Clark explained that the impact of gambling on the brain is very complex, but activity in certain areas of the brain may indeed directly affect gambling behavior, including:
Prefrontal Cortex: The prefrontal cortex is responsible for impulse inhibition, decision-making, and risk assessment. Each person may have differences in prefrontal lobe function, with poorer prefrontal lobe function and less activity making them prone to making risky decisions without considering the consequences, which also means they have difficulty controlling impulses. As with gambling, gamblers may continue to take risks even if the odds are against them, even if they have lost large sums of money.
Ventral striata: This area is filled with dopamine receptors and is related to obtaining rewards and positive reinforcement. It is called the “reward center” by scientists. People with compulsive gambling have a stronger connection to the brain’s reward system. Over time, gambling addicts’ striatum is prone to overstimulation, requiring larger bets to fill the gap, and thus falling into a vicious cycle of “undercurrents.”
Is the pleasure of “Mobile Game Lessons” just like winning money through lottery? Study: People who buy fake treasures are more likely to engage in gambling
Is the addictive behavior caused by gambling actually related to “tax money” behaviors such as constantly recharging money and buying gift packs in the game? A recent study published in the journal “Addictive Behavior and Theory” shows that purchasing virtual treasures (hereinafter referred to as virtual treasures) such as treasure chests, cards or passes in games can easily lead to the activation of the brain’s reward mechanism, and even be related to gambling in the past year. Behavior related.
The study pointed out that among 1,189 subjects, more than a quarter (28%) had gambled in the past year, and only 19% had never purchased virtual treasures; more than 57% of virtual treasure purchasers had gambled. For other subjects, it was 38%. In addition, buyers of virtual treasures are twice as likely to participate in gambling in the future. The study emphasized that there is no absolute correlation between childhood trauma and gambling and the purchase of virtual treasures, and the study needs a larger sample size to clarify the causal relationship.
Study author Sophie G. Coelho explained that in this study, if the subjects suffered emotional distress caused by adverse experiences (such as domestic violence, neglect, abuse) in early childhood, they would have a stronger desire for the “reward mechanism” than ordinary people. , and are also more likely to engage in behaviors that stimulate dopamine in the brain, such as tuition fees and gambling. As for whether buying virtual treasures is the same as gambling, involving changes in brain mechanisms and trauma? Further research is still needed to clarify.
Source:
Dark Flow, Depression and Multiline Slot Machine Play
Pathological Choice: The Neuroscience of Gambling and Gambling Addiction
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