From CBS News- January 17,2012
We throw around words like “crackberry” to describe how dependent we are on high-tech devices.
But now, a study finds that Internet addiction may actually damage the brain—the same as too much alcohol or drugs.
For the study, published in the Jan. 11 issue of PLoS One, researchers studied 17 men and women who were diagnosed with Internet addiction disorder (IAD) and compared scans of their brains to scans of 16 healthy people who weren’t addicted to the web.
Study participants were between the ages of 14 and 21 and lived in China.
The researchers found more patterns of “abnormal white matter” on brain scans of Internet addicts, compared with scans of non-addicts.
White matter areas in the brain contain nerve fibers that transmit signals to other parts of the brain.
These changes showed evidence of disrupting pathways related to emotions, decision-making, and self control.
Physician and best-selling author Dr. Deepak Chopra called the study "very valid" on "CBS This Morning".
"Addictive behavior means that you’re compulsively repeating that behavior at the cost of everything in your life. You can’t sleep. You miss out on relationships, social interactions, health, well-being. Any addictive behavior will cause the same damage in the brain at the receptors as a drug will do. The study is very valid. Once there’s damage, then that perpetuates the behavior. It becomes a vicious cycle. The behavior damages the brain. The brain then reinforces the behavior. And soon, it spins out of control."
I remember these same "scare" studies on television back in the early 60's.
ReplyDeleteAnybody can become addicted to anything.
BAN EM.....
ReplyDeleteTom Wade, are you admitting you're addicted to pan de dulce (Mexican Sweetbread)? If so, there's a probably many support groups that help out with that......trouble is, they have a pan-de-dulce break after the first hour.
ReplyDeleteMaximiliano
*#!@+#! huerquito! Ponte hacer algo afuera!! Ya deja esa %#*@(@*!! computadora!!
ReplyDeleteI think I would be addicted to the computer if MY SON WOULD GIVE ME A CHANCE!!!!
ReplyDeleteKeyrose
Aha! No, but seriously, I've noticed that a lot of the younger generation don't seem the have the ability to carry much of a conversation and they don't have many of the social nuances that comes with talking and listening to others on more than just a superficial level.
ReplyDeleteMax, of all the Mexican food stuffs I am addicted to, pan de dulce is not one of them. Now you ask about enchiladas suizas, or tacos filled with guisados on a tortilla lathered with refried beans...and I am hooked.
ReplyDeleteMy point is, that it is not the item that is a fault, but the person who craves the item. I smoked for 20 years, quit one day in 2000 when I had to pay $5 for a pack at a bar. Cold turkey...have not smoked since.
And you are right, that kids are learning a language that is going to harm them in conversations down the road. Business will not tolerate poor communications skills. They cannot afford to.
Point well-taken Tom Wade but I think digital addication is different that Enchiladas suizas because the brain can take a lot more than the human stomach/lungs.
ReplyDeleteI've seen some of the younger generation and many (not all of course) cannot seem to carry a fully-engaged conversation: part of their mind is still on facebook or somewhere else.
Make mine frijoles borrachos!