Not using your smartphone for three days can change your brain chemistry, latest research has shown.
Experts have revealed that many people have a ‘smartphone addiction’, which can have negative physical and mental health effects.
In the study, the team of researchers investigated the brain health of 25 young adults, all of whom frequently used their smartphones.
Each participant underwent a 72-hour smartphone restriction diet, meaning they could only use their smartphone to work and communicate with their loved ones.
Before the restriction period, each participant filled in two surveys to outline their mood, smartphone habits and common cravings.
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Throughout this three-day restriction period, the research team carried out brain scans and psychological tests to assess how limited smartphone usage impacts the brain.
Results of the brain scans revealed that restricting phone use triggered substantial activity shifts in reward and craving regions of the brain – a pattern commonly observed among those with substance or alcohol addiction.
The researchers said: “Smartphone restriction can resemble withdrawal from addictive substances or even food cravings in some ways, which was noticeable in both heavy and regular smartphone participants.”
The study can be found in Computers in Human Behavior.
