The conducted study revealed possible changes in brain activity that may occur when we limit the use of smartphones. In the course of the research, 25 young adults aged 18 to 30 were recruited, who were instructed to limit smartphone use for a period of 72 hours: only basic communication and work-related tasks were permitted. Students from the universities of Heidelberg and Keln in Germany used MRT and psychological tests before and after the period of limited smartphone use to determine what effects it had on neural patterns and activity.
As a result of the experiment, it was found that the use of images on smartphones caused changes in areas of the brain related to the processing of visual imagery and cravings, analogous to the brain signals associated with substance dependence, indicating that our smartphones could be a source of dependency, similar to nicotine or alcohol.
According to the research, the detected changes in the brain are related to dopaminergic and serotonergic systems that support the idea of dependence on smartphones. However, according to the psychological tests, participants did not experience changes in motivation or feelings of strong desire, despite the limited access to smartphones. Some volunteers noted improved motivation, but this was not reflected significantly in the results of the tests.
The study did not deeply investigate the reasons for changes in brain activity caused by behavior with smartphones, but it is likely that there were a number of factors at play. Not all actions related to smartphone use likely provoke dependence.
The researchers write that "our data do not differentiate between a strong desire to use smartphones and a strong desire for social interaction, which are tightly interwoven in the modern world." Many questions still remain about how smartphones change our lives and brains, especially since much has changed since the advent of the first iPhone, but we already know more about certain subtle nuances that arise when we do not pick up our mobile phones for a few minutes.
Researchers believe that "revealed neural mechanisms may significantly strengthen dependent behavior in individuals at risk through excessive smartphone use."