How Gambling Affects Your Brain
Gambling is when you risk something of value – like money – on an event that is at least partly determined by chance, in the hope that you will win. This includes betting on sports or games, playing bingo, buying lottery tickets or scratchcards, office pools and online gambling. Gambling is regulated by law in most countries.
People gamble for many reasons: the thrill of winning, socialising with friends or escaping worries and stress. But for some people, it becomes a problem. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, you can get help. There are treatment options and support groups that can help you stop gambling or manage your addiction.
Gambling involves taking risks and can lead to debt, bankruptcy, family breakups and even suicide. The risk of suicide is higher for those with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. People who have these problems are more likely to start gambling and are more likely to have a problem with it.
A gambling addiction can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex or income. But compulsive gambling is more common in younger and middle-aged people, particularly men. It is also more common in those who have a family history of the disorder, or if they were influenced by other people with gambling problems.
In the United States, more than 2.5 million adults (1%) meet the criteria for a gambling disorder. Another 5-8 million people (2-3%) have mild or moderate gambling disorders. There are also about 30 million Americans who have a mental illness such as depression or anxiety that can make them more at risk of gambling problems.
Whether you are a recreational or compulsive gambler, it is important to understand how gambling can affect your brain. It can change your mood and cause you to feel depressed or anxious, and it can make you more impulsive. Gambling can also trigger an adrenaline rush, similar to the one you might feel when you are on a roller coaster ride or watching a scary movie.
Many people think that they can control their gambling, but the truth is that it is hard to stop. You may try to hide your gambling activity from others, lie about how much you are spending or use it as an escape from worries or troubles. You might also become irritable or angry when you lose money.
Gambling can change your brain and increase the reward you receive from other activities, including eating, sleeping and socialising. It can even make you feel good when you are feeling low, but this high can wear off and leave you in a worse mood. It is possible to treat gambling addiction, but it is best to do so early. Talking to a trusted friend or family member, finding other ways to socialise and reducing financial risks by avoiding credit cards and borrowing can help you overcome a gambling addiction. There are also many support services that can help, and some of these have national helplines.