Gambling and the Human Brain

Wonder why gambling is addictive? On the other hand, why on losing money while gambling people play again? Let us look into the answers of the above questions.

It is believed that while gambling the human brain releases chemicals due to anticipation, fear, and excitement. Risk-reward scenarios please the human mind. This has both pros and cons. A positive aspect is helping humans to go beyond that. The cons could be causing danger to cash flows. It can also lead to a fight, which is not positive.

People feel that they might win after losing consistently. For some, gambling is a way to get rich quick. Gamblers play more because they think they have committed a mistake and they need to correct it. For them gambling is like a drug.

Understanding Gambling Behavior

The compulsive gambling behavior is similar to the one that animals use to assess rewards important for survival. These brain circuits are similar to those used by human brain to assess social rewards. This assessment of rewards was found to be done outside the conscious awareness. Automatic brain circuit affects gambling and related activities. However, the question is how does the brain which activity is to be processed consciously which is not to be done unconsciously? We might find answers in evolution of the brain. Experiments show that the happenings in the macro environment shape the brain. It has evolved to do so.

A research carried out by Dr. Montague, Baylor College of Medicine says that 90% of daily work is carried out by an autonomic unconscious system. Our brain uses circuits to analyze what is to be ignored and what not. To measure the activity of human brain circuits, brain-imaging machines are used. Most studies suggest that there are two circuits involved in how rewards are assessed.

Reactions in the Brain

We learn only when the unexpected happens, a chemical dopamine is released in the brain. Dopamine is found in the above-mentioned two circuits. More is released if it happens; less if not. A win in gambling affects the dopamine system just like when drugs are taken and hence get addicted to it. The addicted gamblers forget about the losses in long run due to a rush of dopamine caused by an occasional win. There is also a change in blood flows to the brain. This was found similar to people high on cocaine. The blood flow is proportional to the amount of cocaine; similarly, it is to the amount of money involved. When one loses, the left side of the brain is more active, while winning it is the right one. This is helpful in treatment by mapping the neural paths that process the anticipation and rewards.

It would be very interesting to understand how various parts of the brain circuits affect emotion, thinking, decision-making, and motivation. It remains a challenge, however, it will help in exploring the mechanism behind the brains evaluation of choices.
To understand human behavior we look at unconscious reward circuits.

Do we process information unconsciously? This would scare us all as we feel that are decisions are made consciously. By understanding, the cognitive processes related to compulsive gambling we can develop treatments for these people.

Another reason for addiction is that gambling is promoted as gaming. This makes people feel they are not indulging in negative activities. According to the Russian writer Dostoevsky, gambling is related to “getting rich quick”.

William Gehring, of the University of Michigan, and his colleagues for monitoring brain waves while subjects gambled, used an EEG monitor. However, his study was not found valid, as people were not playing with their own money. In addition, they were being paid for this exercise. It is natural that we have no problem in gambling if the money is not ours. This is where the concept of playing gambling games on computer also com into the picture. While playing the games we are aware that it is virtual money and therefore bet huge sums with no fear of losing.

Gambling and Children

It has been found that American children are getting addicted to gambling. It is becoming a social problem as it is ruining the future of some youngsters. Problems faced due to addiction of gambling among children are interpersonal, social, and emotional. The root cause has been found in the family. Children have started to gamble as early as 5 years old after looking at family members indulging in it. Gambling among children is also being boosted due to easy accessibility to online gambling, video terminals, and unsupervised teen parties. The major issue is being the increase in number of virtual gambling sites in the past few years. The young mind is thrill seeking. Hence, youth is vulnerable to the thrills of gambling.

To prevent the child from becoming a compulsive gambler, parents need to be careful. They need question the presence of lottery ticket, deck of cards, a pair of dice found in his or her room. They should keep a check on the activities he or she is indulging in along with the kind of company the child hangs out. However, there is nothing better than spending quality time with your child.

Following are a few symptoms a young gambler may have -

• Greed for money
• Unexplained wealth
• Behavioral changes like mood swings, emotional stress, poor grades in school

If the parent feels that the child might have gambling problems, they should immediately consult a counselor. On questioning the child, the response would be denial along with many excuses. The parents should try to solve the problem on their front by educating themselves. They should talk about the issue in the family, especially kids. Communities and teachers should also raise this topic.

Gambling is a mental game of addiction. One needs to be in control for themselves and their loved ones. I hope that a treatment might be developed to treat compulsive gamblers.

Article Source: http://www.articleexpose.com

Addy Watson is an online gambling history expert and professional content writer. He has published many articles for free slot machine and gaming sites. He has also published tips on how to play at top casino blackjack and top UK gambling sites.

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