WHY ARE PEOPLE ADDICTED TO THEIR PHONES

We all have one of those dopamine-spiking devices. Yes, I'm talking about our phones! Why are we so addicted to them? I include myself in this statement. Something actually happens in our brain when we use our phones, or even when we're just thinking about them. Keep reading or watch the video below to find out what it is...

Your phone will actually activate the reward center in your brain to release dopamine. Just thinking about it, without even having it in your hands, will release dopamine. Now, if we dig a little bit further, the main dopamine source in our brain is in the striatum, a part of the midbrain. It's produced in the VTA, the Ventral Tegmental Area, and then, from there, a pathway goes straight to the reward center, the nucleus accumbens (NAcc). The pathways that go from the VTA to the NAcc are the reward pathways. They are the ones what will send the signal to release some dopamine in your bloodstream and make you feel so much better.

In other words, a feel-good chemical is released in your brain. Now, if it's that beneficial, what's the problem with it? Why aren't we okay with that? We see a lot of children and teenagers who are very much addicted to their phones, of course, but other, way worse substances cause dopamine addiction as well, so what's the problem? Well, the problem is that too much phone time turns into changes in your cognitive ability, so your brain will not work as well. It can create problems with social and emotional skills as well, problems sleeping... Research now shows that it even creates mental laziness as well.

There are two solutions that I'd like to offer. One of them is temporary while the other one is longer-lasting.

1. Tick Some Boxes

By checking boxes! Every single time that you get something done or accomplish a task, you will get a shot of dopamine. By receiving your shot of dopamine in a different, more positive way, you won't crave the different shot of dopamine that you would've gotten with your phone.

2. A Cheat Code

Now for the more permanent way. This dopamine release is very short. It only happens in one area of the brain, the prefrontal cortex area, and it's very temporary. There are other feel-good chemicals that will give you a longer lasting feeling of happiness, like serotonin. Serotonin has much more of a global impact on your brain and creates a longer lasting feeling of happiness and wellbeing.

How do we get serotonin? When you do something for somebody else, when you help a pal at work or you just talk to somebody and take some time to listen to them, you get a shot of serotonin, which lasts a lot longer than a dopamine shot. Volunteer Week has just come to an end, and this is what gave me the idea for this week's blog. This past week was all about celebrating collective impact, and it made me realize that I do a lot of volunteering, and that it benefits me just as much. While it does seem like a selfless gesture, it satisfies my need for my feel-good chemical!

I definitely encourage you to start volunteering and start gifting your time. You will feel the benefits for yourself and be way more resourceful. Some people may say: "Well, I don't have time to volunteer. I barely have time to go to the bathroom some days." Well, if you are in a more resourceful state of mind because it improves your cognitive abilities, then more likely, you will save time by being a lot more efficient as well. Every moment matters. Take advantage of all the dopamine that you can get, and please help people around you and get your dose of feel-good chemicals.