Mindfulness meditation significantly reduces gaming cravings
A study recently published in the journal Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, highlights techniques that can help control addictive behavior, providing interventions for Internet gaming disorder by addressing both psychological symptoms and underlying neurological patterns.
Among them, Internet gaming disorder, which is characterized by excessive gaming that disrupts daily life, often leads to mental health problems such as depression and social isolation.
The study included 80 participants, diagnosed with Internet gaming disorder, who were divided into a mindfulness meditation group and a control group that practiced relaxation.
Over four weeks, both groups underwent eight training sessions. The mindfulness group focused on present-moment awareness, while the control group practiced physical relaxation techniques.
Before and after the sessions, participants were assessed for gaming addiction, cravings, and mindfulness levels and underwent fMRI scans to observe changes in brain connectivity.
Results showed that mindfulness meditation significantly reduced gaming cravings and addiction levels compared to the control group, with participants showing improvements in mindfulness and brain connectivity.
Benefits of mindfulness meditation
Mindfulness meditation is a meditation technique that focuses on consciously and nonjudgmentally noticing and observing sensations, thoughts, emotions, and feelings in the present moment. The goal of mindfulness meditation is to help the practitioner develop the ability to pay attention to each moment, to be aware of what is happening in the body and mind without being distracted by the past or the future.
Mindfulness meditation increased connectivity in brain regions involved in decision-making and conscious control. These changes may help participants control cravings and resist the urge to play games.
The study also found that mindfulness strengthens connections between brain regions involved in self-awareness, improving the ability to resist gaming-related cravings.
Research suggests that mindfulness meditation may help treat internet gaming disorder by altering brain connectivity and stabilizing neurotransmitter systems such as dopamine and serotonin.
