How gambling changes the brain

My name is Dr Jared Cooney Horvath, and I'm a neuroscientist from the University of Melbourne. So this means I study the brain and how it functions.

Now, gambling can seem exciting, especially when you're new to it. The idea of winning activates the brain's pleasure centre, making you feel real good. However, when you gamble often, activity in this part of the brain will start to decrease. Essentially, you have to gamble more and more to get that same pleasure that once came so easily.

If gambling stops being fun and you start chasing that feeling it once gave you, this could be a sign of gambling addiction. It's important to understand how gambling affects you because the more you understand, the easier it is to change.

Learn more at gamblershelp.com.au