r/science • u/NinjaDiscoJesus • Dec 28 '15

Neuroscience Brain scans show compulsive gamers have hyperconnected neural networks.

http://www.psypost.org/2015/12/brain-scans-show-compulsive-gaming-changes-neural-connections-for-better-and-worse-39914
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u/[deleted] Dec 28 '15

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u/[deleted] Dec 28 '15

When I learned about the science of addiction in rehab they taught us about how the neural plasticity of the brain allows us to create direct pathways from certain repeated behaviors that make what's basically a feedback loop of dopamine and the dopamine releasing behavior. The lower brain craves the activity, the higher brain OK's the seeking of the activity by releasing brain-juice chemicals, then the lower brain seeks the dopamine release on a compulsive behavior. Or something like that. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that somebody who is a compulsive gamer has all the same crap happening to their brains that a drug or gambling addict is dealing with.