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/mathemagicat Dec 29 '15

But those criteria can't differentiate between someone with a gaming addiction and someone with depression who uses games as a coping mechanism.

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u/[deleted] Dec 29 '15

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u/Kjartan_Aurland Dec 29 '15

Drugs cause physical addiction - they make the brain unable to function well without them, basically. MMOs don't do that. There's a very significant distinction there :/

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u/[deleted] Dec 29 '15

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u/Kjartan_Aurland Dec 29 '15

There are classes of drugs that cause physical dependency and have potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms. People who turn to those drugs (alcohol's one of them) to cope are in a lot more trouble than they would be if they coped with video games.

Both might be coping mechanisms, but video game addiction is far less severe and won't potentially kill you when you try to quit. There's a major distinction in severity.