Why can you get addicted to video games or social media in general?
In: Technology
Our brain rewards us when we do things it likes. It has a [Reward System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reward_system). Meaning, you get the urge to do something (like being hungry), then you do that something (eating), and your brain then makes you feel good. When you feel good after eating, it’s not the food that does it, it’s your brain.
The action of wanting something and then being rewarded for that something can become an addictive behavior if it harms the other areas of your life. This is why gambling can be addicting. It’s not the money, it’s the feelings you get (but money helps this. If you remove money, a gambling addict won’t get the brain reward). This is how most addiction, that doesn’t involve putting other substances into your body, works.
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