While working on my third Project Brief about the immersive effects of a Gambling room filled with slot machines, I decided to briefly look into addiction as a whole.

Addiction and Immersion are more related than we think. Drugs, and their sensory stimulation, slot machines and their flashing colours and lights can create a truly immersive experience that we could all easily create an addiction to. The definition of addiction has been argued to have several meanings. Prior to the 19th century, addiction meant being “given over” or devoted to something, but after the 19th century, the word addiction typically revolved around drugs, withdrawal symptoms and tolerance, particularly around the anti-opium movement. Arguably, addiction is not limited to drug use, it’s not always harmful, and withdrawal symptoms and tolerance aren’t necessarily linked to addiction. (1) The definition of “Addicted” became solidified in the Cambridge dictionary as “unable to stop taking drugs, or doing something as a habit” (2)

Gambling, like most addictions requires compulsive engagement and attention. There are many similarities between drug and non-drug addiction, known as behavioural addiction. Behavioural addiction involves a compulsion to seek a natural reward despite negative consequences to the person’s physical, mental, social or financial well-being, this natural reward could include money, food, sex etc.  Both forms of addiction include symptoms of cravings, tolerance, withdrawal, the inability to control their behaviour, and elevated rates of relapse. Studies have shown that non-drug related rewards can alter neuroplasticity in regions of the brain, and affect dopamine receptors that would also be affected by drug abuse. (3)

 (4) 

Cambridge University defines Immersion as “the fact of becoming completely involved in something”, similar to an addiction but for a shorter period of time. The long-term effects of both a behavioural and drug addiction affect a protein known as “FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog B” or “ΔFosB” (DeltaFosB).  This protein plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of pathological behaviour, changing the way that your brain responds with the dopamine release reward system of the brain. Once an addiction is formed, breaking the addiction requires lots of time and effort, because the brain needs to be rewired. (3)

I’m hoping, that by researching specifically what makes slot machines and a Gambling room so addictive, I can learn what immersive techniques are being used, and apply it to my work in the future.

(1) Alexander, B.K, and Schweighofer A.R.F 1988, Defining “Addiction” Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia

(2) http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/addicted

(3) Olsen CM (December 2011). “Natural rewards, neuroplasticity, and non-drug addictions”. Neuropharmacology.

(4) Drugs, Brains, and Behaviour: The Science of Addiction https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain