Avoiding Digital Addiction; [Vermeidung Digitaler Sucht] Publisher



Posner MI¹ ; Rothbart MK¹ ; Ghassemzadeh H² Show Affiliations
Source: Nervenheilkunde Published:2024

Abstract

This paper recognizes the many contributions of Manfred Spitzer, with an emphasis on his approach to addiction involving digital devices. We show that addiction to some substances involves the executive attention network. Human studies show that meditation training can improve connectivity in this network and this change in the brain can reduce substance abuse. In mice, low frequency brain stimulation improves connectivity of the executive attention network and like meditation, reduces fear. We argue that meditation training and or brain stimulation both may improve self-control in those struggling with sustained attention due to digital addiction. We also refer to some of cognitive and behavioral therapies used with the purpose of treating addiction. We believe that their outcomes can also be explained in the framework of attentional networks. Further research should be used to test these ideas and make them available to those with difficulty due to over exposure to digital media. © 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.