Sometimes new research provides impetus, motivation and inspiration to help a population reduce the impact of a negative lifestyle factor. For example, a new study by researchers at the University College London suggested that internet addiction in teens may create brain changes that may lead to further addictive behavior and tendencies. And we know the industry has tools and ingredients to create products that help adolescents protect their well-being.
Internet addiction has been defined as a person's inability to resist the urge to use the internet, negatively impacting their psychological wellbeing, as well as their social, academic and professional lives.
The researchers reviewed 12 studies involving 237 young people aged 10-19 with a formal diagnosis of internet addiction between 2013 and 2023.
The studies used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to inspect the functional connectivity (how regions of the brain interact with each other) of participants with internet addiction, both while resting and completing a task.
The effects of internet addiction were seen throughout multiple neural networks in the brains of adolescents. There was a mixture of increased and decreased activity in the parts of the brain that are activated when resting (the default mode network).
Meanwhile, there was an overall decrease in the functional connectivity in the parts of the brain involved in active thinking (the executive control network).
These changes were found to lead to addictive behaviors and tendencies in adolescents, as well as behavior changes associated with intellectual ability, physical coordination, mental health and development.
Lead author Max Chang commented, "Adolescence is a crucial developmental stage during which people go through significant changes in their biology, cognition, and personalities. As a result, the brain is particularly vulnerable to internet addiction related urges during this time, such as compulsive internet usage, cravings towards usage of the mouse or keyboard and consuming media.”
Chang added that the findings from the study show that this can lead to irregular eating and disrupted sleep, among other challenges.
With smartphones and laptops being increasingly used, internet addiction is a growing problem across the globe. Previous research has shown that people in the UK spend over 24 hours every week online and, of those surveyed, more than half self-reported being addicted to the internet.
Chang concluded, "We hope our findings will demonstrate how internet addiction alters the connection between the brain networks in adolescence, allowing physicians to screen and treat the onset of internet addiction more effectively.”
We present this study because of the statement recognizing the crucial needs during the adolescent development phase. Although we cannot and should not formulate for any addictive behavior, especially in the US, we can formulate brain-support products to nourish and protect brain function as it develops during the teen years, as well as for healthy mood and relaxation (anti-stress).
Study link.
TWEET: A growing global problem – internet addiction among tweens and teens – has been shown to negatively impact brain development. Natural products can help reduce stress associated with internet reliance. #cactusbotanics, #tweenhealth, #teenhealth, #parentingtweens
AHA Predicts Significant Increases in CVD by 2050
A new study suggests that the majority of America’s adult population will likely have some type of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 2050, and that total CVD-related costs will triple to $1.8 trillion.
Researchers working with the American Heart Association (AHA) related that their findings are centered on a what will be an older population in tandem with a significant rise in risk factors, including high blood pressure and obesity.
Using data from the 2015 to March 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the 2015 to 2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the researchers estimated trends in prevalence for cardiovascular risk factors based on adverse levels of Life’s Essential 8 and clinical cardiovascular disease and stroke.
According to their study, by 2050:
- Incidence of hypertension (considered to be a cardiovascular disease) will rise from 51.2% and 128 million adults to 61.0% and 184 million adults having a clinical diagnosis of CVD.
- CVD (including stroke but not high blood pressure) will increase from 11.3% to 15.0%, from 28 million to 45 million adults.
- Stroke prevalence will almost double to nearly 20 million adults.
- Obesity will increase from 43.1% to 60.6%, representing more than 180 million people.
- Diabetes type 2 will increase from 16.3% to 26.8%, affecting more than 80 million adults.
However, there are 3 positive findings of this study, according to the researchers:
- Rates of sedentary lifestyles will drop from 33.5% to 24.2%.
- Continuing a trend, cigarette smoking rates will drop by almost half, from 15.8% to 8.4%.
- While more than 150 million people will consume a poor diet, there will be a small improvement -- from 52.5% in 2020 to 51.1%.
Cardiovascular health will remain a key concern among adults who are middle-aged and older, but formulating heart-smart natural products for younger adults along with stepped-up educational campaigns will help this demographic to achieve healthier cardiovascular status in their futures.
