Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Gambling has many negative impacts, both psychologically, physically and socially. Therefore, it is important to know the effects of gambling addiction on a person.

Neuroscientists have discovered that gambling changes many brain circuits. This is similar to what drug addicts experience.

Timothy W. Fong, clinical professor of Psychiatry at the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, explains how gambling can affect the mind, body and brain.

“There are various consequences that arise from gambling disorder (formerly called gambling addiction or problem gambling). As with any addiction, the damage can impact a person’s body, brain or mind,” said Dr. Fong as reported UC Health.

““But the common problems we see when people come for treatment are things like large financial debts, lost time, lost productivity and damaged relationships,” he added.

Dr. Fong notes that research finds when people struggle with gambling disorder, they are more likely to have related health problems stemming from stress, lack of sleep and even heart problems.

Most of these health problems are related to large debts incurred due to gambling and neglecting one’s health.

What causes gambling addiction?

There are several reasons why someone can become addicted to gambling.

“It’s the same as other causes of addiction. This is a combination of biological risk factors, psychological risk factors, and social risk factors,” said Dr. Fong.

Fong explained that gambling addiction sufferers psychologically view gambling as the answer to their problems. When they are at the point of addiction, gambling is no longer seen as entertainment.

They now view gambling as a means of dealing with anxiety or stress, or as a primary source of income.

The effects of gambling on the human brain

Photo: Ilham Restu

Gambling has the same effect as cocaine, heroin, nicotine and alcohol, activating the ‘reward’ system in the human brain. This system gets its power from dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that strengthens sensations of pleasure and links these sensations with certain behaviors or actions.

A 2005 German study using card games showed that gambling addicts had lost their sense of pleasure when winning. In a 2003 study at Yale University and a 2012 study at the University of Amsterdam, the pathological gamblers studied had very low levels of electrical activity in the prefrontal brain region that helps people assess risk and suppress instincts. Drug addicts also often have a sluggish prefrontal cortex.

However, Dr. Fong highlights the significant differences between gambling and drugs.

“Gambling, unlike other addictions, is associated with cognitive distortions. People say, ‘If I keep gambling, I will eventually win.’ “You don’t say the same thing when you’re addicted to alcohol, tobacco or cocaine,” he said.

Fong further said that cognitive distortions often occur in people who lose a lot of money or other assets due to gambling. Sometimes pride, ego, or a sense of desperation drives them to gamble more, in the hope of recouping their losses.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]

(hsy/hsy)