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Two studies hinting at the negative effects of online 'addiction'.

bbrubaker

By bbrubaker
in Science News

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bbrubaker

bbrubaker

Posted
Posted (edited)

"Internet addiction has for the first time been linked with changes in the brain similar to those seen in people addicted to alcohol, cocaine and cannabis. In a groundbreaking study, researchers used MRI scanners to reveal abnormalities in the brains of adolescents who spent many hours on the internet, to the detriment of their social and personal lives. The finding could throw light on other behavioural problems and lead to the development of new approaches to treatment, researchers said."

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/addicted-scientists-show-how-internet-dependency-alters-the-human-brain-6288344.html

 

Bizarre.

 

Coupled with this foul nugget:

 

"Scientists have found that compulsive internet use can produce morphological changes in the structure of the brain.[24] A study which analyzed Chinese college students who used a computer around 10 hours a day, 6 days a week, found reductions in the sizes of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, rostral anterior cingulate cortex, supplementary motor area and parts of the cerebellum as high as 10-20%.[24] On the other hand, increases in the density of the right parahippocampal gyrus and a spot called the left posterior limb of the internal capsule were also found.[24] It has been theorized that these changes reflect learning-type cognitive optimizations for using computers more efficiently, but also impaired short-term memory and decision-making abilities—including ones in which may contribute to the desire to stay online instead of be in the real world.[25]"

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Addiction#cite_note-24

 

And the study that's based on:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3108989/?tool=pmcentrez

 

 

 

 

 

Does it look sound to you guys?

I'm a complete amateur science buff, so...

 

Thanks. Edit: Since I'm on the 'Alarmist Sky Is Falling Internet Wagon', thought I'd include another link.

This time to a blog from Scientific American, enjoy your nightmares!

 

(might help if I actually included the link, duh!)

 

Here:

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2011/01/06/can-sitting-too-much-kill-you/

Edited by bbrubaker
  • 5 months later...
Moontanman

Moontanman

Posted
Posted

Wow, I thought this would be interesting to you guys and gals. Hum. Oh well.

 

 

None of us have memories long enough to remember to reply...

Ringer

Ringer

Posted
Posted

"Internet addiction has for the first time been linked with changes in the brain similar to those seen in people addicted to alcohol, cocaine and cannabis. In a groundbreaking study, researchers used MRI scanners to reveal abnormalities in the brains of adolescents who spent many hours on the internet, to the detriment of their social and personal lives. The finding could throw light on other behavioural problems and lead to the development of new approaches to treatment, researchers said."

 

http://www.independe...in-6288344.html

 

Bizarre.

 

This honestly made me laugh. The 'case studies' it uses have almost nothing to do with internet addiction, only addiction in general. I don't even see how the brain clot one could be associated with playing the game.

 

Coupled with this foul nugget:

 

"Scientists have found that compulsive internet use can produce morphological changes in the structure of the brain.[24] A study which analyzed Chinese college students who used a computer around 10 hours a day, 6 days a week, found reductions in the sizes of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, rostral anterior cingulate cortex, supplementary motor area and parts of the cerebellum as high as 10-20%.[24] On the other hand, increases in the density of the right parahippocampal gyrus and a spot called the left posterior limb of the internal capsule were also found.[24] It has been theorized that these changes reflect learning-type cognitive optimizations for using computers more efficiently, but also impaired short-term memory and decision-making abilities—including ones in which may contribute to the desire to stay online instead of be in the real world.[25]"

 

http://en.wikipedia....on#cite_note-24

 

 

Everything you do causes morphological changes in the brain. Start wiggling your toes every day and you will see morphological changes in the brain. Of the social and memory effects, they said the same thing about writing and books in Socrates time.

 

And the study that's based on:

http://www.ncbi.nlm....?tool=pmcentrez

 

Well, the basis they use for internet addiction is pretty ridiculous IMO. The questions were:

(1) Do you feel absorbed in the Internet (remember previous online activity or the desired next online session)? (2) Do you feel satisfied with Internet use if you increase your amount of online time? (3) Have you failed to control, reduce, or quit Internet use repeatedly? (4) Do you feel nervous, temperamental, depressed, or sensitive when trying to reduce or quit Internet use? (5) Do you stay online longer than originally intended? (6) Have you taken the risk of losing a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of the Internet? (7) Have you lied to your family members, therapist, or others to hide the truth of your involvement with the Internet? (8) Do you use the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving an anxious mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilty, anxiety, or depression)?

 

Answer at least 5 yes and you are an addict. I feel this is a pretty poor way to pick subjects, considering the questionnaire's vague wording and lack sound basis for internet addiction, instead of just addiction in general. Another problem, that you find way to often with these types of studies, is that they used so many different criteria, tests, and brain regions it would be nearly impossible for them not to get a positive result.

 

 

Thanks. Edit: Since I'm on the 'Alarmist Sky Is Falling Internet Wagon', thought I'd include another link.

This time to a blog from Scientific American, enjoy your nightmares!

 

(might help if I actually included the link, duh!)

 

Here:

http://blogs.scienti...-much-kill-you/

 

Yeah walking on two legs is bad for you, and how we sit makes it worse.

Moontanman

Moontanman

Posted
Posted

I am not a big fan of the Addiction meme, not everything that people do they like and do as much as they can is addictive. Behaviorally some men would rather watch college basket ball than eat or even make love, is that addictive? The addiction culture is gasping for its last breath, this culture consists mostly of people who want to believe their behaviors they do not like are beyond their power to control and the people who stay up at night unable to sleep because somewhere somehow someone is having a good time... confirming other peoples fears of behaviors that are out of control is all they have left...

pantheory

pantheory

Posted
Posted (edited)

Maybe something like the old-time studies contending that masturbation can cause blindness, or was it forgetfulness -- I forget which one it was ;)

 

I expect woman got paid for such in-depth studies at the beginning of the 1900's but men did not.:D

 

Maybe I should conduct a study that internet porno site frequent use by women could result in, or be directly correlated to their possible present or future sex addiction. I have heard of such studies for men. :)

Edited by pantheory
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