Behavioral addictions like internet, sex, and shopping addictions may not be formally recognized as psychiatric conditions, but research shows that treatments can be effective in reducing problematic symptoms. Key Facts: Psychological, pharmacological, and combined treatments all showed robust improvements in global severity and frequency of compulsive behaviors for internet, sex, and shopping addictions. Treatment gains …
Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a newly recognized behavioral addiction characterized by excessive absorption in fantasy. Key facts about Maladaptive Daydreaming: It involves compulsive,immersive daydreaming that impairs functioning MD serves as an escape and emotional regulation strategy It shares features with other behavioral addictions like gaming and porn addiction MD can occupy many hours a day …
A new meta-analysis published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions explores the relationship between mobile phone addiction (MPA) and mental health issues like anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and poor sleep quality in college students. The analysis, conducted by researchers in China, pooled data from 40 studies involving over 33,000 college students worldwide. Key Takeaways: College students …
Addiction involves complex interactions between the brain’s reward circuitry and stress systems. The adrenal cortex and its hormones are emerging as key players. Key Facts: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates adrenal cortex hormone secretion. Adrenal hormones like cortisol influence mood, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms. Disrupting adrenal hormone signaling reduces addictive behaviors in animal studies. There …
Extreme sports like rock climbing are often described as “addictive” – but is this just a figure of speech or is there scientific evidence that these sports can produce addiction-like behaviors? A new study took a deep dive into this question, examining withdrawal symptoms in rock climbers during periods of abstinence from climbing. Key Facts: …
Researchers have identified a powerful combination of drugs that may help treat alcoholism by reducing cravings and blocking relapse. The dual treatment virtually wiped out binge drinking and heavy drinking in an animal model of alcohol addiction. Key Facts: Rats treated with both a probiotic and antioxidants showed a dramatic 90% decrease in relapse-like binge …
Researchers have tested an existing medication, modafinil, for treating cocaine addiction. The results show that modafinil can significantly reduce cocaine use, but its effectiveness depends on the situation and circumstances when cocaine is used. Key facts: Modafinil reduced cocaine use when cocaine was costly and no cocaine had been used recently. Modafinil did not reduce …
Modafinil is a prescription medication often used off-label as a ‘smart drug’ to boost focus and concentration. While thought to have low potential for abuse, emerging case reports reveal that modafinil may be more addictive than previously believed. What is Modafinil? Modafinil is a prescription medication approved for treating sleep disorders like narcolepsy, shift work …
