It is hard to ignore the appeal that games of chance and luck have for many people. Whether it is a prize draw in a community raffle, a scratch card, or a roll of the dice during game night, luck and chance are exhilarating. Your pulse quickens, you cannot help but start imagining how you will feel if you win, and you might even experience a little tingle of adrenaline beginning to work its way through your veins.
However, have you ever considered why games of chance, like those at NJ Online Casino, have this appeal? Aside from the possibility of winning, what is it about competitions and games that rely solely on luck, that makes them so exciting and fun to play?
Keep reading to learn more about why your brain cannot get enough of these games.
Brain chemistry is where it starts
Mark Griffiths, a psychologist at the University of Trent, studies behavioral patterns and how the brain reacts to games of chance and luck, including gambling. In an interview with the BBC, Griffiths said that many gamblers gamble because they enjoy it, not because they are looking to make money. He went on to add that, even when you have lost money through gambling, the brain is still producing adrenaline and endorphins, which course through the body.
Endorphins are considered the “feel good” hormones that make the body feel more relaxed and at peace. The rush of adrenaline and endorphins, including dopamine, means that the brain and body have a pleasurable experience during a game of chance, regardless of the outcome.
It is entertainment
A study from the University of Stanford tracked gamblers’ feelings and behavior to find out why people enjoy games of luck. The study found that most people were satisfied with small wins and even small losses and that gambling was more about having a source of entertainment and fun than anything else.
Social media’s buzz
You may not realize it, but you likely are experiencing a similar set of reactions and hormonal releases when you browse through social media. The content on social media is continually changing as you scroll and refresh the timeline.
Recent studies have shown that the experience of scrolling through social media, unsure of what you will see next, mimics the same brain functions and hormonal reward systems that the thrill of gambling or using slot machines gives the brain. That might explain why it can be so difficult to just put your phone down for a while and focus on a different task.
Although there is still much more research to do in this area, one thing that is clear is that the brain releases hormones like adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine, whether or not you win or lose a game of chance. That is why it is essentialto monitor how you are feeling, and to take it slowly while enjoying a game of luck, whether it is a community game of bingo, a raffle, or online gambling.
