CELLPHONES: Scientists observe that smartphone restriction for three days can alter brain activity The researchers recruited young adults for a 72-hour smartphone restriction diet where they were asked to limit smartphone use to essential tasks such as work, daily activities, and communication with their family or significant others. During these three days, the researchers conducted psychological tests and did brain scans using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the effects of restricting phone usage. Brain scans showed significant activity shifts in reward and craving regions of the brain, resembling patterns seen in substance or alcohol addiction. There is an ongoing debate about the term “smartphone addiction” (SPA) making an appearance in many psychological tests, as experts believe that this term might create an inaccurate image of the complex emotional, mental and social aspects associated with smartphone overuse. Nevertheless, neuroscience has seen a growing focus on excessive smartphone use (ESU) due to its association with negative physical and mental health effects, and its links to addictive behaviors. []After the three-day restriction period, participants underwent fMRI scans while being shown different sets of images: neutral scenes (such as landscapes and boats), smartphones turned on, and smartphones turned off. The scans revealed that limiting smartphones led to brain activity changes in areas associated with dopamine and serotonin—neurotransmitters that regulate mood, emotions and also addiction. The researchers noted that smartphone restriction can resemble withdrawal from addictive substances or even food cravings in some ways, which was noticeable in both heavy (ESU) and regular smartphone (non-ESU) participants. As technology advances, recognizing how our smartphone usage habits affect our brains is crucial for building healthier digital routines. More information: Mike M. Schmitgen et al, Effects of smartphone restriction on cue-related neural activity, Computers in Human Behavior (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2025.108610