Internet addiction harms the brain

A recent study shows that web addiction has a negative impact on the health of the brain of players, similar to drug or alcohol addicts. This finding could lead to new treatments for addictive behavior, the Plos One reported.

Internet addiction is a clinical disorder that manifests uncontrolled use of the internet.

Hao Lei, head of the research team and colleagues at the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted brain scans of 35 teenagers, both male and female, from 14 to 21 years old.

17 of them were identified as having a mental disorder due to internet addiction. This result is based on answering questions of participants such as: "Are you constantly failing to control, cut or stop using the internet ? "

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scans) shows a change in white matter - the part containing nerve fibers in the brain of subjects addicted to the web compared to the rest of the study.

The team found evidence of disconnected nerves in the brain region involving emotions, making decisions and controlling oneself.

Dr. Hao Lei and colleagues in Plos One : "Overall research shows that web addiction has a negative effect on emotional white matter-related white matter, information processing and cognitive control. This bad time and habit is harmful to psychology, which can lead to loss of behavioral control over other passions. "

Professor Gunter Schumann, head of the Department of Psychiatry at King's University, London, said similar results were found in game addicts.

"This is the first time that two studies have shown changes in nerve connections between brain regions as well as changes in brain function in people who regularly use the internet or play games," he said. ".

Regarding Chinese research, Dr. Henrietta, a psychological consultant at Imperial College, London commented that new research is a breakthrough. And studying on a large number of objects is necessary to confirm the results.

She added: "The white matter disorder and other areas of the brain are caused not only by substances like drugs and alcohol but also by acts like internet addiction."