New study links internet addiction to exhausted physiological stress systems
A new study analyzing human hair samples reveals that severe internet addiction is associated with lower long-term accumulations of the stress hormone cortisol, suggesting the body’s biological stress response may become exhausted over time.
A study published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology suggests that individuals with severe internet addiction may experience long-term changes in their body's stress response system. Researchers found a link between higher levels of internet addiction symptoms and lower accumulation of cortisol, the primary stress hormone, in human hair samples.
Internet addiction is a behavioral disorder characterized by excessive and poorly controlled online activity, which can lead to distress or impairment in daily functioning. Previous studies have consistently linked internet addiction to high levels of psychological stress, but conflicting results have emerged regarding the physiological aspects of this stress response.
To investigate this further, researchers analyzed hair samples from 155 Japanese university students, measuring both cortisol and testosterone levels. They found that higher internet addiction scores were associated with lower hair cortisol concentrations, indicating that chronic stress might eventually lead to a state of biological exhaustion in these individuals.
No significant association was found between internet addiction symptoms and long-term hair testosterone concentrations. The study suggests that individuals with severe internet addiction might share a similar underlying stress response pattern to those experiencing chronic stress or certain psychiatric conditions.
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