OUR BRAINS — Smartphone addiction has reached the point that the mere thought of being separated from our phones strikes fear in our hearts. <br /> <br />This separation anxiety has even been given a name, “nomophobia,” demonstrating just how intensely this addiction has grown. <br /> <br />The intensity of our smartphone addiction can be explained in terms of neuroscience. <br /> <br />The release of the neurotransmitter dopamine is the basis of our smartphone addiction, according to an article from the American Marketing Association, because dopamine stimulates our seeking behavior. <br /> <br />In the case of smartphone addiction, we seek messages, likes, and followers from social networks because they provide a rewarding feeling of validation and belonging. <br /> <br />These rewarding interactions function as positive reinforcement, strengthening our desire to seek even more from our smartphones and thus, driving our addiction. <br /> <br />In other words, our smartphone addiction is a vicious cycle.
