Signs of Online Gambling Addiction and Its Impact on the Brain Lifestyle – 2 hours ago

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Gambling or games that use money as betting are activities that can harm human life. Apart from the potential for financial loss, gambling addiction can also cause problems with human brain health.

Currently, gambling games are increasingly popular in society. In fact, the age groups involved in gambling activities are increasingly diverse and growing rapidly, starting from the age of 20 years.

According to recent research, nearly two-thirds of Canada’s more than 38,000 teenagers aged 12 to 18 admit to having gambled. Meanwhile, most of the gambling is done through video games on the device (gadgets).

In order to examine the impact of gambling on brain health, a study was published American Psychological Association in July 2023 have linked the impact of gambling on several parts of the brain, such as the ventral striatum and prefrontal cortex.

For information, the ventral striatum is the part of the brain that processes rewards and emotions, such as happiness.

Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that controls planning, controlling impulsivity, decision making, problem solving, personality, and processing potential consequences.

“Both parts of the brain are involved in processing rewards, social and emotional problems, stress, and more,” wrote the study, quoted Friday (20/10/2023).

Based on the study findings, people who are addicted to gambling and use illegal substances show lower ventral striatum activity when anticipating monetary rewards.

These findings are in line with the results of other studies showing that the ventral striatum contributes to impulsive behavior in gambling addicts.

“Then, people with gambling problems also have smaller amygdala and hippocampus volumes. The amygdala and hippocampus are two parts of the brain that play a role in emotional learning and stress regulation,” the researchers wrote in a study report.

Apart from that, researchers have also succeeded in finding the reasons why teenagers are easily influenced to gamble and other risk-taking behavior. According to researchers, one of the reasons why teenagers tend to gamble is that the development of the prefrontal cortex is very slow, especially in boys.

So, what are the signs of gambling addiction?

Launching from Mayo Clinicthere are several signs of gambling addiction, namely.

1. Obsessed with gambling, such as constantly planning gambling activities and how to earn more money from gambling

2. It is necessary to gamble larger and larger amounts of money to feel the same thrill

3. Tried to control, reduce, or stop gambling, but was unsuccessful

4. Feeling restless or irritable when trying to reduce gambling

5. Gambling to escape problems or relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression

6. Trying to get back lost money by gambling more

7. Lying to family members or others to hide the extent of gambling activity

8. Risking or losing important relationships, jobs, or opportunities at school or work because of gambling

9. Asking other people for help out of financial problems because money has been spent on gambling

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(hsy/hsy)