How far away is your phone right now? When was the last time you checked it? If your answer is “a few seconds ago”, you are not alone. Smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives, and a new study suggests that they could have a significant impact on brain activity – especially when we try to use them less than usual.
Phone usage restriction experiment
The research conducted at the University of Heidelberg and the University of Cologne in Germany included 25 young adults between the ages of 18 and 30. The participants were asked to reduce the use of the phone to a minimum during 72 hours – only basic communications and work activities were allowed.
Scientists used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and psychological tests to analyze brain activity before and after the phone diet.
The brain reacts as in addiction
After three days of limited phone use, researchers showed participants pictures of various objects – including phones that were on and off, as well as neutral images of boats and flowers.
The results showed changes in parts of the brain associated with reward processing and craving, similar to the brain’s response to addiction to substances such as nicotine or alcohol. This is further supported by the fact that the changes were related to the dopamine and serotonin systems – neurotransmitters that play a key role in controlling mood and compulsive behavior.
Are phones really addictive?
Interestingly, psychological tests showed no changes in participants’ mood or feelings of “craving” for their phones. Although some reported an improvement in mood after the restriction, the data did not indicate significant effects.
Scientists point out that smartphone use includes a variety of activities – from social networks to business communication – so it is not easy to distinguish whether the addiction comes from the phone itself or from the social interaction it enables.
What can we learn from this?
Although phones are indispensable in modern life, their frequency of use can have a deeper effect on the brain than we think. While it’s not certain that phones are as addictive as substances, the study shows that they can somehow change brain patterns and the way we process rewards.
As technology advances, scientists will continue to explore how these digital devices shape our behavior, mood, and the way we think.
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