Gamification: A Key to Understanding Addictive Behaviors!

The topic of “Dopamine Addiction Cycle from Gambling” was discussed in the seminar series organized by Üsküdar University, Institute of Social Sciences, Psychology Doctorate Program. Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan, Psychiatrist at NPİSTANBUL Hospital, attended the online seminar, which was held for master's and doctoral students. Noyan highlighted that gamification is a factor that reinforces addictive behaviors.

Dr. İdil Arasan Doğan, Faculty Member of Psychology at the Institute of Social Sciences, and academics attended the online seminar.

The seminar highlighted the relationship between the addiction cycle, brain mechanisms, and neurocognitive functions. In this context, the critical role of the dopamine system in this cycle was discussed from both behavioral and neurological perspectives.

Addiction is not exclusive to substance use…

Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan emphasized that addiction is not exclusive to substance use, and non-substance addictions are also based on similar neurobiological grounds. Noyan shared detailed information, especially on emotional and structural grounds, the course of the disease, and evaluation and treatment processes.

Gamification is a factor reinforcing addictive behaviors!

One of the prominent concepts discussed in the seminar was Gamblification (gamification). It was stated that as gambling and gaming phenomena increasingly intertwine, gamification has become a factor that reinforces addictive behaviors. Gamification refers to the integration of game elements such as reward systems, leveling up, and collecting points into non-game areas, and it was noted that the use of these mechanisms, especially in digital gambling applications, deepens the addiction cycle.

Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan: “An important key to understanding addictive behaviors”

Prof. Dr. Onur Noyan stated that the concept of gamblification offers an important key to understanding how addictive behaviors evolve in the digital age. 

It was also stated that gamification triggers dopamine release by creating continuous stimulation and reward expectation in the user, and this situation can reinforce addiction.

The seminar concluded after questions were answered.