According to a study by Privatdozent Dr Christian Montag from the University of Bonn’s Department for Differential and Biological Psychology, there is a gene that causes addictions to the internet, social media and smoking.
Most of these addicts are also women.
“Internet addiction is not a figment of our imagination,” Montag told Science Daily. “Researchers and therapists are increasingly closing in on it.”
Researchers compared the genetic makeup of problematic internet users with individuals who have healthy control, and found that problematic internet users and nicotine addicts are carriers of a genetic variation.
“What we already know about the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the brain is that a mutation on the related gene promotes addictive behavior,” Montag said.
Nicotine fits well in the receptors of the brain—to make nicotine users addicted.
According to the researchers, the mutation on the CHRNA4 gene “changes the genetic makeup for the Alpha 4 subunit on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor”.
The genetic variant also occurs more frequently in women.
“This sex-specific genetic finding may result from a specific subgroup of internet dependency, such as the use of social networks or such,” Montag added.
But more studies are needed for connections to be understood, to create better therapies for internet addicts.
[via Science Daily, image via Igor Zakowski cartooniz_com / Shutterstock]