Study Finds Brain Chemistry Imbalance in Teens Addicted to Smartphones and the Internet

A new study presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting has revealed that teenagers addicted to smartphones and the internet may experience imbalances in brain chemistry. The research sheds light on the neurological impact of excessive screen time and highlights potential benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy for affected youth.

According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, 46% of Americans admit they could not live without their smartphones. While the claim is likely an exaggeration, growing reliance on smartphones and portable electronic devices for social interaction, gaming, news, and communication is a concern—especially among adolescents.

Hyung Suk Seo, M.D., a professor of neuroradiology at Korea University in Seoul, led the study examining how smartphone and internet addiction affects the teenage brain. The research involved 19 adolescents (average age 15.5, nine males) diagnosed with internet or smartphone addiction, compared to 19 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Twelve of the addicted teens underwent nine weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) adapted from a gaming addiction program.

The team assessed addiction severity using standardized tests that measured the impact of device use on daily routines, social interactions, productivity, sleep patterns, and emotional well-being. Addicted teens scored higher for depression, anxiety, insomnia, and impulsivity compared to the control group.

Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)—a specialized form of MRI that analyzes brain chemical composition—the researchers examined levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that slows brain activity, and glutamate-glutamine (Glx), which excites neurons. Results showed that teens with smartphone and internet addiction had significantly higher GABA-to-Glx ratios in the anterior cingulate cortex, a brain region critical for emotional and cognitive processing.

Dr. Seo explained that excessive GABA can contribute to drowsiness and anxiety, and the imbalance may interfere with the brain’s ability to regulate cognitive and emotional networks. Importantly, after cognitive behavioral therapy, the GABA-to-Glx ratios in addicted adolescents significantly decreased or returned to normal levels, demonstrating the potential for therapy to restore brain function.

"The disrupted balance between GABA and glutamate in the anterior cingulate cortex could help explain the neurological mechanisms underlying internet and smartphone addiction and guide more effective treatment approaches," said Dr. Seo.

This study emphasizes the importance of understanding the neurological effects of digital addiction in teens and supports the use of behavioral interventions to mitigate the impact on mental health and brain function.