MRI Scans Show That Constantly Using Phones Damages Our Brain Just Like A Drug Addict¡¯s
German researchers examined MRI scans of 48 individuals -- 22 who were addicted to smartphones whereas 26 non-addicts. They found that the brains of people with smartphone addiction have lower grey matter volume in some key parts of the brain compared to the non-addicts.
Today we can't even think of our lives without a smartphone -- it has become one of the most indispensable things in our life. However, some people are constantly on them all the time -- being addicted to the smartphone. And in case you thought it's not as harmful as people say it is, get ready for a shocker.
Reuters/Addictive Behaviors
A recent study (published first in Addictive Behaviours) conducted by German researchers revealed that smartphone addiction physically changes the shape and size of the brain in the same fashion as drug addiction.
German researchers examined MRI scans of 48 individuals -- 22 who were addicted to smartphones whereas 26 non-addicts. They found that the brains of people with smartphone addiction have lower grey matter volume in some key parts of the brain compared to the non-addicts.
They say, ¡°Compared to controls, individuals with smartphone addiction showed lower grey matter volume in left anterior insula, inferior temporal and parahippocampal cortex.¡±
Lower levels of grey matter volume in the insula have been linked to substance abuse in previous studies. They state that discovery of this is the physical evidence showing smartphone addiction doing considerable damage to the brain.
Authors further state, ¡°Given their widespread use and increasing popularity, the present study questions the harmlessness of smartphones, at least in individuals that may be at increased risk for developing smartphone-related addictive behaviours.¡±
Getty Images
Today, kids are experiencing a condition called ¡®Problematic Smartphone Usage¡¯ which basically means that the kids are obsessed with a mobile device in such a way that it is resulting in behaviours exuding addiction.
As per a recent study conducted by researchers at King¡¯s College in London, 10-30 percent of children are using smartphones or other devices in a way that causes them immense discomfort when it¡¯s not around.
Researchers feel that the obsessive use of the device has an element of addiction to it where it causes anxiety to the user if they don¡¯t get the desired screen time.
It is time we started using a smartphone responsibly instead of just giving in to the obsession.
