It's no secret that our well-being, mood, and even appearance are the result of the action of certain substances in the body - hormones. There are about 100 types of them. Some of them are responsible for the type of figure depending on sexual dimorphism, some regulate the process of digesting food and the body's consumption of nutrients, some are involved in sleep, and so on.
The hormone and mediator adrenaline deserves special attention. It is synthesized in our body by the adrenal glands. This happens during stress. In fact, the main effect of this substance is to mobilize the body and increase the chances of survival. For our ancestors, this was extremely important, because danger could befall them at every step. Now we live in civilization, but our endocrine system does not know this, so the synthesis of adrenaline is a completely natural and habitual phenomenon that still exists today.
By the way, this is not unique to our species. Most mammals also have this hormone. It increases the heart rate, dilates the pupils, and sharpens attention. You can feel adrenaline in your blood when you skydive, scuba dive, practice martial arts, etc. In short, you need some factor that will cause you to feel fear, excitement, or anxiety. Even students face this during exams. Adrenaline is also released during gambling, which we will talk about later.
Why does gambling cause adrenaline?
As mentioned above, it is released during stress. Gambling is accompanied by excitement, because there is an unpredictability of the outcome. This makes us worry. You can win, but there is also a chance of losing. Anticipating the outcome causes a strong emotional reaction. Our brain is so arranged that it constantly tries to look for patterns in everything. During the game, we cannot predict what will happen next, and this is what stimulates the adrenal glands to release adrenaline into the blood. The brain does not understand what is happening, so just in case it mobilizes the body so that in case of trouble the “fight or flight” effect works.
Of course, there are risks when playing. If a person is playing for money, then this is a serious enough reason to worry. The body perceives this as a potential threat to resources, which is associated with danger. In a sense, this is the answer to the question: Why are gambling games so addictive??
The role of dopamine and other hormones in gambling?
Speaking of hormones of excitement, it should be said that our emotions are not only influenced by adrenaline during the game. There is also dopamine. This is another neurotransmitter, but it is already responsible for the feeling of pleasure and reward. Its effect can be felt when winning. This is the same feeling of euphoria and catharsis. It is dopamine that gives us joy when we see loved ones after a long separation, get a promotion at work or even eat something sweet. The spectrum of its action is quite wide and extends to many areas of our lives.
By the way, dopamine and adrenaline in the game stand out even when you lose. The anticipation of a possible win forces the brain to maintain interest in the game. That's why it's so difficult to stop in time. You want to continue in the hope of winning. The effects of gambling on the brain Some people have it very strong, so the person cannot stop on their own.
Cortisol, the stress hormone, is also a frequent participant in the game. When you have lost everything and feel empty and despair inside, it is precisely this hormone.
Can gambling lead to addiction?
Many people don’t know that the mechanism described above is similar to the one activated when using drugs, which are known to be addictive. It also works with gambling. Since gambling causes powerful releases of dopamine and adrenaline, the body gradually gets used to these emotions. You want to feel it on a regular basis. Some people are able to say “no” to themselves in time, while for others it can lead to the development of gambling addiction – a pathological addiction to gambling. That is why it is extremely important not to abuse such entertainment. If you know that it is difficult for you to stop, then it may be better not to start at all and try to relax in some other way.
How to control emotions while playing?
Some people manage to learn to control their endocrine system, so in their case adrenaline in gambling is an assistant for them, because they can play more carefully and restrain their emotions.
And how to eliminate the negative impact of gambling? Gambling and addiction – is that something that always comes along? Here are some tips that will be useful:
- First, monitor and limit gaming timeA clear definition of the time frame will help you not to get too deep into the process.
- Secondly, you must set certain financial limits for yourself.Determine how much money you can afford to lose, and don't exceed that limit.
- Third, control your time and take breaks.Distractions to other activities reduce adrenaline levels and allow you to think rationally.
- Fourth, control impulsive decisionsBefore you place a bet, stop for a few seconds and assess the situation.
- Fifth, don't try to win back if you start a losing streak.This is the main trap that leads to losing money and increasing stress.
Let's summarize
Gambling is almost always perceived by the brain as a certain stressful situation. That is why during such entertainment, certain hormones are released that actively influence our emotions, behavior and decisions. This is especially true when you are gambling for money. The larger the amount, the more is at stake and the greater the excitement. Controlling emotions, smart financial management and awareness in the game will help to avoid negative consequences and keep the excitement within the limits of entertainment, not problems. Also, you should not abuse it, because some people, due to the peculiarities of the biochemistry of the brain, have a certain tendency to addiction, which can later develop into gambling addiction.
